confining and crate training

Question
Hi Trish,

Wanted to first of all thank you re: my finicky eating pomeranian!  Since I began free feeding him he is eating basically the full amount by snacking throughout the day.

I have another question...Although I go home every lunch hour, since we are crate training our little guy he is in his crate for about 3 hours in the morning and 3 hours in the afternoon.  Then he is in for some time in the evening for naps, etc.  The problem is that I feel this is way too much time in the crate.  Therefore I am thinking that instead of crating him during the day I will confine him to a bathroom with a baby gate.  Is this more favourable or should I continue with the crate?  Also, what would be the ideal crate training schedule for toy breeds.  For other dogs it is one hour in and one hour out...

Thanks in advance.

Answer
I persoanlly would not crate a puppy that long.  It is not bad for them but it is a ling time to a pup.  I think your idfea of sectionaing off the bathroom is GREAT! Leave potty pads down, bedding, food and water and TOYS-make sure you have baby proofed it too-they get into everything.

This will probably make the little Pom much happier.

-Trish
www.geminipoms.com