Advice about puppy being in crate a lot?!

[Jess & Stewart]

Hi all,

Stew is great. Slept all night the first night from 10:30 pm to 5 am, didn't make a sound after barking for 10 minutes. Went pee/poop at 5, then slept until 6. Today, I did some crate games, kibble/treats in crate, Stew walked in & out. I have a snuggle puppy with the litter mates scent on it, he snuggled with it all night & plays with it during the day.

I got NO sleep last night, I tossed, turned, couldn't get comfortable & my stomach felt bad. I thought it was just nerves. Today, when I put him in the crate to take a nap, I didn't get a nap, I had diarrhea & a headache.

Today, after peering, playing hard with family, walking in the crate himself to get treats, I thought I'd put Stew in for a little so I could nap. He went down fine was quiet for 20-30 minutes, then I had to go to the bathroom & go past crate. Barking started & didn't really stop for another 30 minutes, I finally took him out after 2 minutes of quiet & he peed. He then ate, played a little. He's now been asleep since 6:30 on the floor under my feet. It's 8 pm now. Unfortunately my stomach is acting up & I can't fall asleep. I'm trying to relax though.

My question is that my breeder said most of the time for the first few weeks, the pup should be in the crate & only let out for potty & play times. Stew loves laying on his dog bed outside of the crate in the living room, should I be putting him in the crate during all of those down time, sitting or napping moments, like once he fell asleep?

I don't want the crate to just be for nighttime, but if he doesn't lay on it like he does the bed, I'm not sure if should ever place him in the crate? I thought they should go in on their terms each time, even if bribed with treats.

I'm hoping last night wasn't a fluke & if it stay end as long as I can to tire him out, it'll really tire me out so I'm able to sleep well.

[Jess & Stewart]

He's up now. We both fell asleep, I think for about an hour. At 9, I took him out said "go potty" and he peed right away! He has not pooped yet since about 10 this morning though. He has had lunch & dinner(
(not at all 1/3 cup each). Think he just didnt eat much so he doesn't need to go? I don't want to give him more food & have him go during the night.

Ginny-So you meant, when he started to nod off, to put him in the crate? I feel like that would cause tons of barking, since you interrupted where he was laying. Unless he'd be on the verge of sleeping that he'd fall asleep quickly?

I will definitely work on the crate games more & working up time in the crate. It's in my bedroom & we spend most time on my main living area. I guess I'll just need to gauge if he goes off into the bedroom if he wants in the crate or if he's wandering off to pee/poop.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

The crate really does need to be where you are most of the time, especially when everyone is awake. Can you borrow a second crate just until he's housebroken so there is one in the living area for daytime and one for your bedroom at night?

[Jess & Stewart]

Would a soft sided travel carrier work for the daytime? Before I took him to the vet today, I used the same "find the treats" method & had him walk in & out.

[Ginny Nightingale]

sure-that is a crate too!  An answer to your question above--usually the pups I have worked with have curled right up and gone back to sleep if I moved them to the crate--they get soo tired! Sometimes, they don't even wake up! But see what works with your pup--if you don't pay any attention to the barking --and I mean IGNORE it, he will learn that it does not work--puppies are smart! if you have a complaint from neighbors, maybe you could explain that a little barking now means less barking later. ;) 

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Now that you have gotten everyone's opinion or advice as to what worked for them, you can choose whatever seems right for you.  If you want to keep Stewart right by you, yet control him a little you can use an ex-pen.  When not in use they fold flat.

[Ginny Nightingale]

Xpens are great! 

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Crate training is a good thing. I think you know what to do.  Throw away the books and go with your gut

Here's my take on all of this...

Relax and enjoy. You may be a bit nervous. Dont be. You are blessed.  Take a deep breath and smile. Your moment is here  :)

Do what you think you need to do. Whatever that is: cuddle, crate, lay on the floor, play, sleep, it's all good.  Be with and bond with your puppy

[Jess & Stewart]

LOL Joanne, it's obvious huh? Hence why I asked Ginny what she meant by putting the pup in the crate, as if it's "interrupting". I guess it's not if I'm alpha & the pup does what I'd want.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Just enjoy. It will all work out.  This is your baby now and I trust you  :)    He trusts you  :)

I just couldnt get enough of my bundle.  When I had to shower  or cook,  or sleep, sure I put him in a crate for his safety.  Otherwise he was with me.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Jess, I am all for crate training, but I also loved cuddling with my pups in bed and sometimes they slept better beside me. However, you must do what works best for you and not start anything you do not want to continue. Joanne is right. There really are no hard and fast rules. I did try and leave the house each day and crated them to get them used to being alone in the crate.  I left the TV on and put a kong in the crate with something yummy inside.  Once you feel better and can get out more....a tired pup is a good pup :)

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Yep, and I slept with my human children too!   Oh and that was so NOT RIGHT when I was raising my sons. For me, it was a great bonding time. A time to read and talk and feel safe.  A wonderful time.

So again, do what you think you need to do.  Your pup will tell you. Not us. We are not there. You are.

Lucky You  :)

I will say, when the biting stage comes, those 3 weeks are miserable and the crate will certainly get its use   LOL   Until then, have fun

Oh and PS~ throw out that Alpha stuff for now, too 

[DJ & Chance]

Such good advice:)