Crate Location

[Patrick Windsor II]

Well after months of research my wife and I decided to add a GoldenDoodle to our family. We had to put our last dog down due to him becoming extremely aggressive in his older years (we had a Maltese). I have a question on crate training, specifically the best location of the crate. Our Goldendoodle is a 10 week old male and we have had him for 5 days now. I initially put the crate in the bathroom of our master bedroom and the first night he slept thought the night (I think he was exhausted from the long day he had). I did get up a few times when he whined to take him out and he did his business. The second night, he barked and whined for over an hour. I had read somewhere that the GoldenDoodle like to be around people more so than other dogs, and that placing the crate next to your bed where he can see you will help reduce the barking and whining. So after much internal debate I moved him and sure enough he did calm down. Other articles say that is a bad idea as it can create a dog with separation anxiety. So I am not sure which way to go.

It would be helpful to hear other people's opinion on the issue...

Thank in advance.

[Kate, Mel, Tenley & Harper]

Tenley slept next to me in his crate at night for the first two months. During the day when he was crated, he stayed in a crate in the living room in between the wall and the couch. He loved that because I think it made it like a den for him.

[Jennifer & Truffle]

For the first three months or so, Truffle slept in a crate in our bedroom.  We keep a large towel on top of the crate (it covers the sides as well) that gives it a more cave-like feel and makes being in it less distracting.  During the day, we moved the crate downstairs to the living room for training purposes and to acclimate him to being in that location, which is where we eventually moved the crate for good.  Truffle now sleeps downstairs in his crate and the transition was easy - he was fine with it after a couple of days and now happily goes into it himself at night and when we go out during the day.  

Your puppy is adorable!

[Malenie Piscetelli]

Lucy is 7 mos old and she have been sleeping in another room in her crate since she was 12 weeks old. She is not alone in the room. I have 2 birds too. Lol. Soon she will be in my master bedroom. I am having a problem to find a service dog in New Jersey. She has been training. She is now in advance class.
Your puppy is so adorable. Good luck!!! Doodle is so much fun. :)

[Terri Sue]

Congrats on your new pup! He is absolutely darling! Our Charlie was in a crate next to our bed for the first two weeks he was home with us (from 8 weeks to 10 weeks old). We then moved his crate to the kitchen for a month or so (closer to the sliding door that goes outside) and now it's in the family room. We found that if we cover the crate with a blanket or cover, Charlie settles down. 

[Abigail *George & Juno*]

We've always had the crate next to our bed. George has free reign and sometimes she sleeps on the end of our bed, sometimes she sleeps in her crate, and sometimes she sleeps in the master bathroom on the tile. She gets to choose and she still chooses the crate often. I also don't think she has separation anxiety. Lol

[Judi Kilpatrick]

We started the pups in their 'puppy' crates next to the bed and had no issues with whining or barking unless they actually had to go out. We bought their adult crates and put them in the room where we eventually wanted them to stay, once I was sure there weren't going to be crate accidents I would put them In the permanent crate during the day to sleep when I had to go to the store, etc. Also would put some of their toys in the big crates and around the room so they would actually go in and play in and around them during the day, when they outgrew the puppy sized crates it was a smooth transition to just put them in the larger crates in the other room, I think there was a little whimpering the first night but that was it.

[Mari Bezanson]

First off, let me just say how adorable your puppy is.  I am sure he is a welcomed addition to your family!  I can only speak for our experience with crate training.  The first being with our 15 year old golden whom we lost in the fall, then we got a cock-a-poo 4 years ago and now our 4 mth old golden doodle.  We started them all in the crate and we kept the crate in our master bedroom.  It was placed in an area that allowed them to also see us and make them feel part of the "pack".    For the exception of a few whines for the first couple of nights, our dogs settled into crate training with ease.  We have never had a problem with crying or messes and I can't say enough about how important it is.  Potty training was easy as well.  So many benefits, but I do think it is important to not isolate them.  Doodles need their people! 

[Linda And Loo]

We have 2 dogs,2 1/2 and 3 yrs old. We have their crates in our bed room and we have 2 crates in the family room where they stay when I run errands etc. They love their crates! We have had no problems with separation anxiety. This is the first time I have used crates with any of the various dogs we have had over the years and my only regret is that that I wish had crate trained before now! When I am out of the house, I do not have to worry about what they are getting into while I am gone. I had one puppy chew thru an electrical cord on a clock while I was running errands. Luckily she was not hurt and we had no fire! Your puppy is adorable! Enjoy him!