I cannot sing enough praises about crate training as puppies. I am happy when I come home from work because there are no messes to clean up. The puppies are happy to see me because I am not yelling about having just stepped in it. I just come in the door (leaving it open) and then release the hounds. They run out the open door to do there business and I shut the door. They’re back within 5-minutes to say hello and tell me they are happy to see me. No exited piddling on the floor because they just went out.

My pets are so conditioned from years of using there indoor dog kennel that if I open the puppy treat cupboard they immediately get into there beds and wait for their treats. I often find them in there sleeping with the door open. They really do feel safe and secure in their familiar beds.

I count on my canines for security. I live in a rather remote area. When a stranger comes to the door, they bark viciously and attack the door. They are trained to go back to the dog kennel on command. This enables me to keep my animals from greeting strangers directly. If someone comes to the door to try and sell me something in an attempt to see if my home is an easy mark, they cannot befriend my dogs and they see that they are aggressive and well trained. No easy mark here.