Is it bad to use two different crates?

[Darcy & Millie]

I hope I'm not bombarding the puppy group with all these questions!  We get our puppy in TWO days (wow!).

My question is if it's okay to use two different crates for her in the beginning?  I bought a big wire crate for her permanent crate, and I plan to use just a portion of it right now.  However, I also have a little travel carrier as well, and I'm wondering if it's okay to use that in the bedroom right next to my bed at night while she's little?  I don't have room for the big one right next to my bed, so I thought I could use the small one at my level so she could be right next to me.  Would this be a bad idea to use two different crates?   Would it confuse her?  Or, I could just buy another small wire crate too, since the one that I would use at my bed is not wire... would they feel the same to her then?  Or would that be a waste?

Would love to hear thoughts, before she's here and we're faced with our first night.  Thank you in advance once again!

[Lynne A]

Hi Darcy - This is exactly what we did with our puppy, Nutmeg. She slept in the smaller plastic kennel next to our bed for about 3 weeks. Surprisingly, one night last week when I was preparing to head up to bed, she walked over to her wire crate in the familly room and curled up to go to sleep. She's been sleeping there through the night ever since. We still use the plastic kennel for the car (although I just ordered a harness because it's kind of a pain dealing with the kennel) and for upstairs when we have her up there with us at other times of the day/evening.  Good luck!

Lynne

[Adina P]

Not a problem at all.  Not any more than having two different cars or her being able to hang out in more than one room.  They are just two different places of confinement...not an issue at all.

[Bonnie and Kona]

We did exactly what you describe. We used a small crate next to the bed when our pup was little and then later put him in a big wire crate. It worked great. Congratulations on your new pup. Be sure to post lots of photos for us!

[Sue and Buddy]

I'm another that used 2 crates when Buddy was a pup. The big one was in the family room and a small one next to the bed until he out grew it.

[Darcy & Millie]

You are all so helpful, thank you!  Glad to hear that others have did the same thing, and it worked.  :)

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

We actually lugged his first crate up and down the stairs a few nights/days so this sounds like a much better idea!  Enjoy the new pup!  

[Kimberly Cook]

We use two crates. I have the travel crate in our bedroom and the main wire crate in the family room. Chopper likes both.