Radical Vet suggestions on Crate Training -Said that I should switch crate from my bedroom to kitchen

[New puppy owner]

I saw the vet for the first time today.  He made a radical suggestion tthat I put crate downstairs.  Waffle turns 11 weeks old tomorrow and I've had him 10 days.  We spend the first week at my parents, whre he slept next to me.  This week it will be his 3rd night in my house, sleeping next to  me in my bedroom (on 2nd floor).  I want to switch him but its seems mean.  Vet feels he'll adjust well in a  few nights and learn to love his crate.  He went in willingly the last 2 nights but that was in my bedroom.  Thoughts?

 

[New puppy owner]

I would like him to eventually transition to the kitchen.  He did cry last night at 4 in the morning and I couldn't fall back to sleep and then he got up at 5pm.  I wonder if I'm going to tranistion him to kitchen if its better for him if I wait (as some f u seem to have experiences that he may decide to sleep somewhere else anyway - he does love cool floors or just "rip the bandaid off and do it now.  He is very eople oriented so he likes to be with us as much as he can.

[New puppy owner]

Hi all, Thanks for everyone's responses.  I would prefer that my puppy sleep in his crate in the kitchen for a number of reasons.  First of all he's whimpering in the night and barking around 4am and I sooth him back down and he sleep another hour or so before we get up.  I don't like doing this as it's been 2 weeks of uniterrupted sleep and I'm tired.    My vet thought he's not learning to sooth himself and will conintue to wake me at 4 as he enjoys my company.  I had always planned to put him in the kitchen I just wasn't sure what the right time.  But he does stay in his crate in my bedroom from 11-6 (although he cries at least once a night and wakes me I don't let him out until 6).  He's not a big fan of the crate during the day either.  hopefully he'll grow to tolerate it

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

May as well start now if that's what your plan is.  I think your vet is right about the self-soothing - it's important for them to figure out how to calm down and just go to sleep. 

 

He's probably old enough now that he can hold it all night (as long as you are up fairly early).  Maybe try putting him in the crate in the kitchen for a few naps during the day so he knows that it's a good thing.

[Barbie]

I was wondering about that too - whether he's unable to hold it in that long and that's why he's crying in the middle of the night.

[Julie and Maggie]

Lots of great input here. Just want to add that Maggie is in her crate in the kitchen. Now granted this has only been two nights for us so who can tell yet. Our house is a small single story so if my bedroom door is open at night I can hear her just fine if she needed me. I don't think it is mean at all to not have your puppy in your bedroom. Just a choice. Do which ever one will be the most benefit to the development of your puppy.

[Adrianne Matzkin]

We live in Short Hills. Just wondering who is your vet?

[New puppy owner]

We saw Dr. Miliwicki at Marsh Animal Hospital in Verona.