Settling in and crate training

[Texas Doodle Mom and Molly Rose]

Molly came home last night (after a full day of travel). I slept with her on the sofa to bond, and today we are working on our crate to prepare for tonight. We came home late last night so we didn't have time for daytime crate naps to acclimate. She's doing well going potty (had to give a bit of pumpkin to help her firm up the stools this am), eating/drinking, playing, etc. We are redirecting her nips by giving her a chew toy at the right times.

She has a confinement area in the living room -- an exercise pen with a travel crate inside. This is where I feed her and water her 3x day. I want her to sleep in the crate (wire with cover on three sides and roof) in my bedroom for naps and bedtime. Question -- is this confusing to her if she ends up getting a nap in the confinement area (instead of bedroom crate)? She is really fussing right now in the bedroom crate! I gave her a piece of kibble after going in there and left the room. Wanted her to nap away from kids, etc. (As I'm completing this, she is asleep! Oh, wait, fussing again. Joy :)).

[Texas Doodle Mom and Molly Rose]

I have only tried crating her today (unsuccessfully) so she would be familiar for tonight. I am home all day and never crated my sheltie (as a puppy only) during the day unless we were gone for a while. Once she reached a year old or maybe 1.5, she didn't even crate at night anymore. The confinement area is a nice place for her to eat and rest away from the kids (she likes it in there - we only closed the door while she was sleeping today), and I am thinking that may be where she stays while I have to run out. There's a crate in there with no door (zipper one that is rolled up) so she can go in and out. Last night, she slept with me on the sofa so we could bond. That worked well for her :). I really want to be in my bed tonight though! And I want to keep her safe from small things (Legos!) that I keep finding downstairs. This phase will pass soon enough and she can free roam...can't wait!

[Texas Doodle Mom and Molly Rose]

Just wanted to make clear when I said she was "let out" every 20-30 minutes, that meant taken out to potty, not let out of the play/confinement area. She napped in there 3 times today and the first two times, we were in there with her. The rest of the time, she has been exploring the living room, kitchen, master bed/bathroom with us. She has not had a single accident - good girl!

[Cortney (and Mulligan)]

I just thought I'd share my experience. We have a three (four if you include the basement) story house.Mulligan sleeps in a wire crate (ours isn't covered) in our dining room on the main living floor. He wimpered a little the first night, and I let him out to go potty. He never cried after the first night but I still got up to let him go potty for a few nights. Once I stopped letting him out to go potty in the middle of the night he has never cried or peed in his crate/bed. While we were actively learning potty training I crated him any time I couldn't watch him. He stopped having accidents on the carpet and started having them occasionally on my tile/wood floor by my door (the one I use to let him in and out). I never felt bad about crating him if I couldn't watch him because I figured that was his personal space and if he wasn't tired or wanted to chew I just gave him treats and toys. I should also mention I don't have a confined play area so I used my crate anytime I couldn't either play with him or keep a sharp eye.

Good luck with Molly and congrats on the new family member!!

[Texas Doodle Mom and Molly Rose]

Thanks, Cortney! I'm feeling victorious going into the night -- Molly did her business outside, I'm in bed with my arm inside the canvas crate from the living room (top open). She's yippy, but I have hope :)

[Texas Doodle Mom and Molly Rose]

Update - night two in the crate went very well (as far as whining goes!).  I would give her a piece of kibble and close the door, sit outside the crate for a few minutes and then crawl in my own bed.  Molly would sleep peacefully until the potty break, which occurs at 2 am...and then 4:30 am.  We are getting up at 6:30 am.  I am soooooo tired.  The vet said she should just have to go out once, but that is not the case. 

She did well with zero inside accidents, and then a storm blew in last night.  We could not dawdle in the grass (constant rain all night and this morning), and she pooped in my bathroom this morning -- right next to me while I was brushing my teeth.  She also wet in my closet while my husband was getting dressed.  We used Nature's Miracle and hope that she can get back to her routine when the rain stops!  She is not afraid to get wet, just distracted by the drops on her head.  =)

[Texas Doodle Mom and Molly Rose]

She barks for those potty breaks (I'd keep sleeping if she were quiet).

[Deb's Yarrow and Schatzi]

In my opinion it would feel much more natural and comforting for her to fall asleep (naps) where she doesn't feel she's away from her new pack.

[Texas Doodle Mom and Molly Rose]

I agree.  All of her naps are in the living room and kitchen, or wherever we are during the day.  She absolutely loves the towel by the backdoor (used for wiping wet paws).  When the boys came home from school, she napped on the floor by them as they did homework.  She's going to ride in the car to pick them up from school too - they are excited about that!  It's just 2 minutes down the street, 25 mph the whole way, and good practice for her.

[Deb's Yarrow and Schatzi]

I can imagine your boys sitting and working on their homework with a new enthusiasm having a puppy napping in the room.  :)  Ahhh... puppies and little boys!