Where is the best location to place the puppy crate?

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Sorry for asking a dumb question - I did try to search this but I wasn't finding the correct information.

 

As we get ready for Rooney to come home next month - I am trying to decide the best location to place his kennel/crate.  It is pretty large (has little screens to make lrge/sml) and will not be mobile unless dh would be home. 

 

Our home here in FL is very open - not much wall space.  So as I look around I'm trying to decide where to put the thing.  Is it better to have it in the living room so that I can see the puppy and he see me, but where it won't be quiet.  Or should I put it in our bedroom but then if I need to kennel him during the day for a short time - he won't be in sight.  But this might be a better place for sleeping purposes.

 

Any advice on this one?  Thanks

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I really think Rooney is going to want to be with you at night when he sleeps, especially as a new puppy. But, if he's like my guys, he's also going to want to be where you are during the day. We actually had two crates (one in the bedroom and one in the living room) for the first couple of months. One was the "good crate" which was in the bedroom, and the other was a less expensive travel crate. The crate in the living room was in plain view of most of the downstairs, so he could see me no matter where I was. It did come in handy during the housebreaking when I couldn't watch him closely. Although I used it infrequently, it was very helpful.

[shelly]

We put tori in my son's bedroom. Remember, puppies just spent 24/7 with their pack and separating him form his litter will be upsetting to him. Some people ask the breeder to give them a towel, or send an article to the breeder so they could put it in with the litter to get their scent on it and place it in the crate with them. We did n't have that knowledge, but what we did do, was put the clothes my son wore right outside the crate where he could smell him thru' the night and see him from the crate. I put it outside so avoid her chewing on it. She was an excellent sleeper right from the start! We also had a crate in the den for during the day. Her crate in my son's room was just for nighttime sleeping. Months later, we put her in her crate in the den - and this is where she prefers now... we 'bother' her when we wake for school and work. She likes to sleep later than we can - LOL

[Helen]

My dogs' crates are in the laundry room, they eat and sleep in them and are very happy.

We did set up an playpen in the kitchen for during the day for Toby when we first brought him home . We put a tarp on the floor, a towel that had scents from home and some toys. He also had water in there and was fed in there too. He could see us, hear us and had space to play. I also helped with the potty training as he was not able to wander off. At night he would sleep in the laundry room in his crate. The crate had an adjustable divider that we moved to make the space bigger as he grew.

Once we could trust him not to piddle on the floor, we allowed him more time out of the playpen and at about 5 months we packed the playpen away.

At the end of the day it is all about what works best for you, your family and routine. I would definately use the playpen option again if I had another puppy, it was so less stressful. We knew where he was and he could see us and the other animals without getting into too much trouble!!

[Helen]

Adina posted this link a few days ago. I cannot always get links to work so you may have to copy and paste!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6sibt4lnJ8&feature=player_embedded

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Hmmmm, lots to consider. Our home in FL isn't like the other homes that we have had. A bit smaller and all one level - not even an attic or basement - hard to get used to for a Michigan gal like me. I don't think the master bedroom - which is a bit on the smaller size due to the living room sized closet that these homes have. Perhaps I could get a smaller crate to use in m.b. only at night till Roo is older and then switch his sleeping to the larger crate in the living room.

Or I could do what the breeder does when she starts the crate training - crates in the l.r. and she sleeps right on the floor next to them. Then as they get used to it she sleeps on the sofa and then finally back in her bedroom. I like Shelly's idea of the den - Bob's office has two double doors that open up right into the livingroom and is right next to our master suite doors. That might be the best bet! Hadn't even considered it!!!! So many decisions to make - I know that there is no such thing as perfect but I do so want to be the best mom that I can!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

You're going to be a great Doodle Mom, and I think you'll find that you're making these decisions "on the fly" based on what feels right for you and your new puppy at the time. I had all kinds of "plans" for my guys, and ended up changing most of them based on what felt right. You'll just know.

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

I have a pet playpen - outside on our lani. I have it set up so that the cat litterbox and Humphreys food are in there - a puppy free zone. The little entry door is very close to the wall so that he can get in, but not a puppy. In Fl the lanais are huge - we actually have an outdoor livingroom with fireplace, dining area and pool - all screened in. Our cat very seldom comes inside anymore - he loves to live out there. I could get another one to use in the house - hadn't thought of that either. Sadly - my laundry is too small and at the wrong end of the house. On the upside - except for the bedrooms and den - this place is tile - great for accidents!

[Cheryl and Eddie]

We have a typical Florida home as well. Eddie's crate is up against wall between two sliders in Family/Kitchen transition. Seems to work well and he can guard at night!

[Patty, Roxy & Spencer]

When we brought Roxy home we would place her crate in our bedroom at night and then take it downstairs during the day. This got old real fast, so we bought a less expensive one for the family room downstairs so I could have her near me during the day when she had to be crated. Before we got Spencer we bought two new crates so he could have one downstairs and upstairs too. This works out great. They both have their blankets from the breeder that was with them and their litter mates. I have these in their crates upstairs in our bedroom so they can sleep with them at night. I know my Doodles get into lots of mischief when I can't be watching them, so having crates in several places sure has come in handy when I need some control!

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

I agree with Jane in that the best laid plans will certainly be changed. I must have sent DH to Petsmart a hundred times during our 1st few weeks. We would try something and think well if we did this it would work better, so off to Petsmart he would go! Finally we got it all worked out. I'm sure you will do just fine.

[Kyoko]

I say bedroom....So, he won't be so lonely in dark at night... If you are concerned about crating him during the day where he can't see you, then may be you can put him in a small ex-pen in the living room? I have a baby gate that is made of 6 panels. You can stretch it to make it as a gate, or circle it around to make it as a pen. It worked out really nice for us.