When crate training, what if I need to be gone for long period of time?

I have a 8wk maltese that I'm crate training (I've had her for 1wk and I think she is learning). My question is this: there are certain days when I may need to be gone most of the day at work, on those days: I was thinking of either 1)leave her in crate in restroom and close door behind (she whine and barks rather loudly when I'm not around) or 2)leave her in restroom (door closed of course so she doesn't get out) with her crate also in there with its door open. I was also wondering if I should put a pee pee pad in the restroom if I decide on option #2 and if that would set her back in the crate training process ?


Any advice would be greatly appreciated.





Also, when I take her to the backyard to do her business, there is the cement area and a dirt area. She seems to like going on the dirt, but gets dirty b/c of the dirt. I try to put her on the cement but she keeps running off to the dirt to do her business. Is there a way I can get her to do her thing on the cement?

When crate training, what if I need to be gone for long period of time?
I don't know about the crate training but for the "business" you should probably let her go in a grassy area, why don't you plant grass on the dirt? I don't think she'd like to do it on the cement as it is hard/doesn't soak up the pee well. And plus you have to scoop the poo out.
Reply:buy one of those play pens for dogs..we have one of those and we just flod them to the right size..then we put a doggie pad so she can do her business there
Reply:When you are training her, do not use the crate as punishment when she does something wrong (ie, don't put her in the crate if she pees on the floor) because then every time she is in there she will think she is in trouble and will probably bark and whine. I would recommend keeping her in the crate during the day, not running loose on random days so that it doesn't confuse her and set her back. Leave a puppy pad in the crate and a bed/blanket for her to lay on. Also leave her water (you can get it in a bottle that hangs like a hamster cage so that she doesn't spill it) and a toy to play with so she is comfortable. Sometimes dogs are more comfortable with noise in the background so you might try leaving the tv or radio on for her (just a thought) As for the cement thing, the only thing you could really do is buy a small wire fence until she gets used to it?