How to structure play visits and crate time?

[Tina]

Hi Everyone!

My family just adopted 3 double doodles last Saturday and have been enjoying their company. My parents have 2 of the doodles (Madison and Olive) and I have 1 (Peanut). Peanut is the largest at 10lbs, the other two are around 8-9lbs.

I've been consistent with my training and Peanut is doing very well with potty training. I have found so much helpful advice on the forum but still have some questions. And apologies if this is long but I'm really struggling for the best solution!

Visits/Pet-sitting during the day:

I work so Peanut will need to be home for 7 hours with my mother-in-law who is 83. I'm not counting on her to help potty train and she's not capable of helping us promote positive behavior (for example, she howls with Peanut with she's in her crate :) haha...)  

Until Peanut is older, my parents will help watch her since they are retired. The problem is they are not doing the same type of consistent training I am and Peanut pickes up her sibling's behaviors. Is this okay at this age? Is it a bad idea for her to spend so much time outside of our home? I'm worried she'll never get used to the idea of being alone. 

When I watch all 3 pups, I limit their play time and have time outs when one gets too rough. What's a good schedule for the 3 pups if they are spending 6-7hrs together? 

On Crate Training:

Peanut has been spending lots of time with her siblings, which makes it extra difficult to crate train her. She is a very vocal and smart pup and I'm slowing crate training her using the advice I've found here, but...

She doesn't enjoy her crate: I've been trying to get her to enjoy her crate, toys, food, bones, everything. She just goes in, grabs what she wants and runs back out. She only stays in there if she's already sleeping or if I close the door. How do I help her enjoy her time in there? (I've tried placing her in an open room with a baby gate instead, she hates that even more).

I'm also trying to crate her for short intervals and she does ok but usually cries so loud she's snorting and is super upset. Even after she settles and I let her out, she will come out and huff and puff for 5 minutes, clearly still upset with me. Is this ok? Should I praise her after being crated or should I make it not a big deal so she doesn't get separation anxiety?

I understand I've only been at it for a few days so I'm really proud of her for her progress! I guess I just want to make sure I'm in the right direction and not encouraging separation anxiety, aggression, fear, etc..

Any thoughts?? Thanks so much in advance!!

And here's a pic :) Peanut (left), Madison (middle), and the barely visible Olive (right). As you can see...Peanut clearly has the most energy!

[Brittney & Cally]

Tina, copy and paste this post and add it to the training group!

[Tina]

Oh! Good idea. I will do that. Thanks!

[Adina P]

PHEW...relieved to know ALL THREE are not YOURS.  I was scared for a moment ;-)
No advice, but they are still young and your training will make the biggest difference even if things are not 'ideal' while you are away.

[Tina]

I would be too! I'm watching them today and it's puppy insanity all day long! :)

I'm really encouraging my parents to follow my training schedule to make things easier for them too.