What is the best way to train a puppy to be home alone, he is 3 months old, in a large canvas crate (bought at petco), in a travel carry crate, or in a small room enclosed with a baby gate but he still has access to a crate? PLease advise, have to go back to work soon.

The safest way for your puppy to be left alone is in its crate. I know it sounds mean but my dogs actually will howl if I leave them alone in a room or start getting very nervous because they think that I left them. The crate gives them a sense of security, if you put them in there they know that you intend to come back and let them out. If you are gone for a long period you can turn the TV on so the puppy doesn't feel so alone. You don't want your dog getting a chord or something awful like that. Good luck with the pup!

Your not supposed to leave your pet in a crate for more than four hours at a time.

THanks Wildangel for your advice... I have another question... what room do I leave him in, he has been used to hanging out in the family room with us just roaming around not in the crate when we are home, this other room we are trying to dedicate for him he has not been in. Which room to keep the closed crate in?

What worked best for my dogs was the bedroom. This way I would close the bedroom door turn the light out the TV on, so they don't hear neighbors and such, and in the crate. They feel safe like that and I think they assume that I am in the next room. If you are going to have to leave the puppy for more than four hours I suggest a large animal water bottle, I know it sounds funny but dogs spill a bowl of water and that is the main reason they should not be left alone for more than 4 hours. Just put the water bottle outside the crate with the tip in. Good luck and a treat before and after the crate doesn't hurt either!

I don't think they should try and hold their urine for more than 4 hours. Be confined to cage longer esp if they are going to be in the cage a various time through out the day.

Also if you are going to cage him you need to get him started on it now... may short intervals 15 minutes to start and then build up...

I agree with beginning the training in short intervals when you are home and then maybe when you have to go and run an errand. I'm not trying to say to torture your dog not to go to the bathroom but whether the dog is in a crate or out of the crate it is still going to have to hold his urine unless you want it all over your house. Think of this, when you sleep at night you and your dog hold urine for 8+ hours for the most part. If the dog is in the crate then it will hold urine without as much of a problem because the dog will sleep, out of the crate the dog will be awake , nervous, and then trying to hold it. Dogs sleep about 16-18 hours a day so this is just like a second sleep period when you go to work. Good luck. :)