Crating

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Did everyone crate their pup at night? Did anyone allow their puppy to sleep with them from day one? I am interested to hear what members have to say. Thank you!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

We did use a crate at night for about a year. We also used it when we were in our RV and couldn't supervise Ned. We had no trouble getting Ned used to the crate and I suspect the breeder began that training for us. We also have an English Springer Spaniel who would not be crated as a puppy = he would just howl and cry. So crating is not for every dog or every family, but I sure liked that I could put Ned somewhere when I couldn't supervise him - like when I slept!

[GBK]

Crated both dogs overnight only for potty training purposes. They were gated in the kitchen when left alone in the day. They now love the soft sided crate in the living room which they share as a den with the door always open. Sometimes we bring the crate when we travel, just so they have something of their own that smells like our house and them.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I always crated our puppies at night, and also during the day for short periods if we had to go out. I did this until I could trust that they would not get into anything they shouldn't and were reliably housebroken. We have Murphy in a puppy obedience class with the trainer who we have used for Guinness. In her first class she strongly recommended that all the puppies should be crated at night and for a few brief periods throughout the day. She does not believe it is good to allow your puppy to sleep with you during the night, at least until they are quite a bit older. She had a few reasons, and these are the ones that I remembered...

-the key to housebreaking is preventing the "accidents" before they happen. That avoids negative patterns from developing. If you cannot watch your dog, they should be in a crate where they are unlikely to potty. She believes the puppy should be tethered to you (or restricted to the room you are in) until they are reliably trained. When that can't happen (like at night) they should be in the crate.
-crates should be cozy and provide a warm, safe place for the puppy. In addition to sleeping, they should be used when the puppy is overexcited and needs a "time out" to calm down. That overexcited state is usually the source of the "naughty" behaviors. They should have toys and sometimes treats in their crate so they feel like it is a good place to "hang out" and "chill".
-You want your dog to see you as their "leader" from day one. It's interesting that she never uses the term pack leader, but she does talk a lot about leadership behaviors. As their leader, it is fine for you to invite them into "your space" (like the bed) to play or "cuddle". However, she believes they need to see this as your space, not theirs. Allowing them to sleep with you in the bed at night can erode that leadership perception (again in her opinion). She's saying the human leader has their bed, and the dog has theirs, but they should not be the same.

I actually thought a lot of this made sense and was consistent with other things I have read.

[Natasha]

We crated at night until he was about 8-10 months? After crating, we had him sleep downstairs in his area (our kitchen and family room which we gated so he could have freedom in a large space that didn't have carpet. Now, at 2 years, he sleeps on the floor in our room.

I think nightly crating from a young age is important because:
a) the crate should be a safe and relaxing place for your puppy as he will spend time there when you are gone - even just to the grocery store (so he won't destroy anything AND so that he will feel secure when you are gone). Sleeping in the crate at night helps reinforce that this is his safe area.

b) from day one, your puppy should understand that you are the pack leader. If your puppy sleeps in your bed and sits next to you on the couch, you may confuse him. In the pack (through wolfs today), the head male and female sleep above the rest of the pack and, when possible, they relax in a place that is above the pack as well. They are responsible for protecting the pack so this elevated position not only reinforces their status, but it also serves as a means for them to have a bird's eye view of what may be a threat.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Thank you everyone. He did great in his crate and really only whimpered a couple of times. It is right next to my side of the bed, so he can see me and I can see him. Eventually, I hope to be a crate free family. He is a very good puppy, but man are we tired.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I'm so glad he did well. Our crate is also right next to my side of the bed so we can see each other. You'll be "crate free" before you know it. I get the "tired" thing. I was tired for the first two weeks. Have fun!

[BG and Gavin]

Tired for sure! The upside is the "puppy weight loss plan." I dropped five pounds the first week. Unfortunately I have since found it again, but it was good while it lasted! Glad things are going well.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I wish this happened with me. I have probably gained the five pounds you lost. Thanks for the nice thoughts.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I just have to report because I am so proud of my puppy. Fudge goes to bed pretty early (8 pm)...she needs her beauty rest and sleeps all night. Meanwhile, I can relax, get on my computer, watch tv, etc. When we brought Vern home, I let him sleep the first night with us, but it was so crowded and the husband complained he was getting no sleep. Ok, I crated him night two and he did great. I still wanted to try letting him stay up on the bed with Fudge and me before putting him in the crate at night, but it was not very relaxing with the two of them wrestling and carrying on. So, I got smart and put a treat in his crate and he went in and immediately laid down and went to sleep. He likes his crate and it is so nice for all of us. This morning, I got up with both of them very early and when he got tired, I crated him and he slept for two hours more. He does not cry, whimper, anything.....just goes in and goes to sleep. I am so happy, amazed, and proud of him. Thanks for all the good advice.

[shelly]

We too had 2 crates for Tori. We put one in my son's room and one downstairs. When she slept for the night, she slept with him in her crate. (He didn't sleep in the crate - that sounded funny) We put it where she could see him. We also put the shirt my son wore that day on the floor outside her crate so she could smell him throughout the night (I can't believe I actually left 'dirty' laundry on the floor of his bedroom - lol). I remember reading that being that dogs are pack animals, they need to sleep WITH their pack. To our amazement she slept through the entire night and still does. I remember when we had our golden retriever - hwe put him in the bathroom and gated the door. He cried and whimpered ALL night long... We no longer have the crate in his bedroom, and only have the one downstairs for her to sleep in. she actually prefers it! She doesn't like to wake up early - we disturb her in the morning getting ready for school - go figure! She only sleeps in her crate and we now leave her to roam free when we are at work - luckily though, my in-laws have an apartment inour house and usually check on her and play with her throughout the day.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Wow..you are lucky to have built in babysitters for Tori. I have heard people say their dogs love their crates, but I have never had a dog that did. I think Vern feels safe in his crate and seems to do fine in it. I did crate him this morning when I took Fudge out and could hear him barking, but we just ignored him. When we leave during the day, he can see Fudge and I think that helps a lot with the crating. Hopefully, he will sleep in soon. Six is too early for Fudge and me.

[shelly]

Good luck, Laurie! Yes we ARE very lucky, but as I have said in past posts... these were the people who said they were NOT going to be responsible to 'babysit' a puppy, blah, blah, blah (NOT that we EVER thought they should.) We expected to just get Tori used to our schedules and adjust accordingly, but.... these dogs have a way of moving into everyone's hearts... even those who don't expect it! Now my MIL calls Tori her "grandaughter" (she has none - only boys) and worries about her just like she was one of the grandchildren - LOL BTW~ Tori has learned to adjust to our sleep patterns and won't even bark to get up and out until we come downstairs in the morning... and on weekends, that's much after 6AM. I'm sure Vern will too - especially with a four legged teacher, as well as you!