First Night & No Time for Relaxed Crate Introduction

[Laurie, Wally & Charlotte]

We are getting our new puppy tomorrow (yea!) and won't get home with her until about 9:30 in the evening.  I understand that the ideal way to introduce the puppy to spending time in her crate is to do so by gradually, letting her get used to being in the crate without rushing it.  Since we won't have much time for this gentle, extended introduction before bedtime, what's the best strategy to use so that she will feel comfortable in the crate with the door shut on that first night?

[Katie, John & Parker pup]

I had the same problem when I picked up Parker because we didn't get home until 10pm...I suggest putting her in her crate next to you, so she can see you and doesn't feel completely alone. They're used to being with their brothers and sisters and I think them being alone is what makes their first nights so upsetting for them. Hope it works out! Good luck with your puppy!

[Joyce Orland]

Is she coming home with a blanket or toy with the scent of her mom or sibs? Do you have a snuggle buddy, a bear with a beating heart.

Those things worked for us, and also to let her cry. Has she ever been in a create? If she has then she should be used to it somewhat.

Putting the create next to you also helps for the first night.

All the best of luck! Keep us posted!!!

Joyce

[Lori, Daphne, Lucy & Pippa]

Daphne cried for a long time the first night. After that we put a towel or blanket over the crate and that seems to give the some comfort. Makes it more like a little den. We also had a snuggle puppy in the crate with her. If you don't have one of those then you could use any stuffed animal and a clock that ticks. Sounds kind of like a heartbeat to give some comfort.

Much Love to your little one(and you)!

[Rachel and Ollie]

I "slept" on the floor right up next to the crate the first night, and Ollie did pretty well. He also had a blanket from his breeder and a snuggle puppy. I really really really recommend a snuggle puppy. Ollie LOVED his. 

[Theresa & Duncan]

I think I liked the idea of a snuggle puppy more than Duncan did lol. He didn't pay too much attention to it when he was really little, but as he got older it was was more of a chew toy. He loved it once he started chewing it lol.

[Alivia Quallen]

We got home with Piper Last Saturday night around 7pm.   We were able to wear her out to the point that she fell asleep next to me on the couch and we just put her in the crate.  Since then she has done great.  We have a snuggle puppy.  I don't know if that helps or we got lucky.  We also do not have her in the room with us.  Her crate is downstairs in the kids t.v. room that is gated for her.  She has maybe whined less than ten minutes since we got her.  It's defintely different for everybody but that is what we did.  Good Luck and enjoy your new puppy!

 

Alivia

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

I bet the puppy will be tired by then. We kept the crate in our bedroom for about 4 nights so that the puppy could smell and hear us. After that, we moved the crate downstairs. It has worked just fine so far.

[Laurie, Wally & Charlotte]

Thanks, everyone, for the helpful suggestions.

Charlotte's first night went very smoothly, as did her first day. We had a couple of hours at home before it was time to go to bed. I did go ahead and buy a Snuggle Puppy (what a great product) and her breeder gave me a blanket with the scent of Charlotte's mother and sisters. I took her out to pee at 5 a.m. and then we went back to sleep until 7ish -- not bad for night number one!

This is a picture of her that I took at the airport yesterday before we flew back to Boston. At seven pounds, she looks so tiny compared to her big brother, Wally, who is six-years-old and weighs 50 pounds.

[Rachel and Ollie]

Oh my goodness, she is just so cute. How did night two go?

Isn't the snuggle puppy fantastic!  

[Laurie, Wally & Charlotte]

Her first few nights have gone really well - thanks for asking. So far, so great!