Advice about puppy being in crate a lot?!

[Jess & Stewart]

Hi all,

Stew is great. Slept all night the first night from 10:30 pm to 5 am, didn't make a sound after barking for 10 minutes. Went pee/poop at 5, then slept until 6. Today, I did some crate games, kibble/treats in crate, Stew walked in & out. I have a snuggle puppy with the litter mates scent on it, he snuggled with it all night & plays with it during the day.

I got NO sleep last night, I tossed, turned, couldn't get comfortable & my stomach felt bad. I thought it was just nerves. Today, when I put him in the crate to take a nap, I didn't get a nap, I had diarrhea & a headache.

Today, after peering, playing hard with family, walking in the crate himself to get treats, I thought I'd put Stew in for a little so I could nap. He went down fine was quiet for 20-30 minutes, then I had to go to the bathroom & go past crate. Barking started & didn't really stop for another 30 minutes, I finally took him out after 2 minutes of quiet & he peed. He then ate, played a little. He's now been asleep since 6:30 on the floor under my feet. It's 8 pm now. Unfortunately my stomach is acting up & I can't fall asleep. I'm trying to relax though.

My question is that my breeder said most of the time for the first few weeks, the pup should be in the crate & only let out for potty & play times. Stew loves laying on his dog bed outside of the crate in the living room, should I be putting him in the crate during all of those down time, sitting or napping moments, like once he fell asleep?

I don't want the crate to just be for nighttime, but if he doesn't lay on it like he does the bed, I'm not sure if should ever place him in the crate? I thought they should go in on their terms each time, even if bribed with treats.

I'm hoping last night wasn't a fluke & if it stay end as long as I can to tire him out, it'll really tire me out so I'm able to sleep well.

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

For sure! Do what works for you. These are all guide lines...no set fast, in stone, rules.

[Jess & Stewart]

I just took him out again & peed almost right away after saying "go potty"! Should have named him Einstein!

We came in & he was pawing the bag of food & where he food bowl usually is (I took it up after 20 mins at about 6:30). He hadn't pooped yet, so I think he was hungry. Gave him the rest of the food in his KONG, it was only 2 tablespoons at most. Figured I use the KONG to play with him more. He's definitely food motivated. The vet said he should be an easy train today, which is great!

[Leslie J]

If you take a young pup out every half hour and he is consistently is going potty outside, you probably don't have to worry too much about accidents if you're keeping him nearby. If you're feeling sick or busy working or cooking, and might forget to take him out every half hour (or if he's only peed and hasn't pooped in a while), you might want to crate him. I don't think a puppy would be happy spending too much time in his crate, but an hour here or there when you're busy is fine.

I used to keep Cocoa tethered to me or the sofa when she was small, and she was happy just to be near me. I was super vigilant during the first couple of months and she rarely had accidents. She still likes her crate, and if I need her to go in I just say "crate" and she runs right in (and gets a treat, of course :).

[Jess & Stewart]

Just put him in crate, he was fine, very sleepy but now barking. I'm trying to just sit here & do nothing!

[Lynda Kamrath]

Well, I am the strange one who does not like (or use) crates.  I don't like the looks of them in the house and we did use them in the car when the pups were young, but I had a baby playpen in the house for them as their bed.  Our first labradoodle even had a playpen with a vibrator.  Turn that on and he would be right asleep.  When they are being house trained, they get put into the playpen whenever they are not closely supervised.  I also like to carry my puppies outside first thing in the morning and whenever I take them out to do their business.  I carry and cuddle them and then put them down where I want them to go.  They get the idea pretty quickly.  Never let them run around in the house unsupervised until they are totally house broken.  I hope you are feeling better so you can enjoy your new pup.  They are such great dogs.

[Jess & Stewart]

He woke up at 2 am, I took him out & peed right away. He settled down nicely, but woke up about 20 minutes later & has not stopped barking, it's 3 am here. I'm laying with the covers over my head, hoping that I fall asleep so I can't hear it! I wouldn't think he'd need to go out again, right?

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Jess, Put that crate right next to your bed so he can see you. When he fusses and you know he does not have to go out, just put your fingers in there for him to smell or see. He may settle when he knows you are there. He is getting used to all this, too. It will get better.

[Sally S Miles]

I think you have a case of 'new pupp itis'  and it has piled up.  Give yourself permission to chill - maybe you have a bug, but stress (even welcome stress) messes with you.    Something new afoot and on alert.

I agree that an X-pen is highly worthwhile - we use them as pens and as mobile dividers. I agree that crate training is important, but obviously not everyone agrees. I agree that cuddling and time with you is important.  It's a juggling game that has to be done, you will figure out your own timetable and puppy will in time.   Any little increment will add up and a routine also helps to get pup to accept it. As a new dog mom, you can wing it and you can take the steps and tweak them to suit yourself - too much tweaking can offset sometimes.   Perhaps your breeder was indeed offering basic potty training steps - which do play into crate acceptance -  when most folks are at work and busy, this seems to be average.

No way I'm giving up cuddle time, but crates are needed in my home.   No rules in stone - make your routine yours and he will 'get it'.  Your are off to a good start - they quickly catch on to routine steps, it's amazing. "Einstein" will have you snoozing in no time - now that you have his middle name figured out.!  

Yes, he can possibly have to go back out again so soon - mine does now and again.    I hope you are able to take time to rest, all those naps add up (baby advice - whenever baby naps, so should you. Yes - first week or two with a new pup and I flop when needed.  

I'm up, puppy had potty call, now he's asleep in the kitchen - but I should put him back to bed :)

[Jess & Stewart]

Sally-yes, I think she was just offering her advice. We've played crate games 3 times this morning after he woke up at 5. I some toys in the crate, one outside & he carried it inside. I fed him the rest of his food this morning within the 20 minute pick time, in the crate also. I'll just keep working to make all positive!

He's peed everytime I've said "go potty" today, which is really great! Don't think he knows "go poop" yet, but I've said it right as he's going the past 3 times he's gone. He hasn't gone in the house yet either. He was dozing off, so I put in the crate, door open while I sat with my legs against the door. He fell asleep with body inside & head on my knee.

I think I'm going to put him in the crate when I see him getting drowsy/nodding off, but will let him snuggle morning after potty, night after potty & throughout the day on the couch. I'd rather him want to lay on the couch than on my bed. I'm thinking I'll make it off limits, since I'm not the greatest sleeper either.

Thanks for all the advice-I guess the idea of waking them up almost to put them in the crate seemed counter intuitive, but if they're drowsy, then fall asleep in the crate, once they do that a bunch, they know they can use the crate for sleeping. I think he's adjusting really well-I just think I'm a little nervous because I wasn't feeling well.

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

Sounds like you have a great and cute little guy!  Try to relax and enjoy!  

We only crated when we were not home-otherwise Quincy was in my sight at all times.  He still comes into the bathroom with me and sits by the shower door!  

Have fun!  It goes by so fast. 

[Ginny Nightingale]

It will get better every day...you are adjusting to each other's routines and within a week, it will seem like you have had him forever!

[BG and Gavin]

I am for less crate time, more tether time.  Although I know it is important to get them used to the crate and put them there when you cannot supervise, or *important* during your dinner time.  Good foundation to make that part of the daily routine that the dog is in the crate when the humans eat which later translates to the dog is on his bed while the humans eat.  I also agree with making one thing/room (in this case your bed) off limits.  It is a good way to teach/enforce boundaries and will translate to success doing so later on.  And for what it is worth, I think your stomach issues are eustress (good stress) and I remember feeling the exact same way ;)