Sleeping arrangements??

[Wendy]

I posted this on the Multiples board too but I am looking for opinions. Motta and Miley are 10 weeks old. We got Motta on May 15th and just picked up Miley yesterday June 7th. Motta was sleeping with us in bed and coming to work with me with no problems.(all of which we loved) Now Miley isn't use to sleeping in the bed as we found out. I have an xxlarge crate. Can I put them both in it at night? I plan on getting another eventually.

What's your suggestion? They are not fully potty trained although Motta is mostly but Miley needs some working with since we just got her.

[Jeannine]

Of course you can!
I suggest that you put one of your blanket on their crate so Motta will smell it and think she is in your bed with you. They will both get close together and keep each others company. Put their crate near you bed side so they will feel you presence near them!

When they will be big doodles, you will be happy they are not sleeping in your bed with you because it will be no more room for humans when they settle down!

[fergie11]

"There's always room for another doodle"

[Jeannine]

Try to divide your crate in two section and have them sleep in only one. Less room they have less accident they will have too. Also they will feel more comfortable. With their mom it surely was not a lot of room around them. They will like it more that way.

[Tricia, Shiloh, Fenway & Tessie]

I agree with using a crate divider and crating them both. Our boys have separate crates, but sleep side by side in them....they do much better knowing they are close to each other.

[Adina P]

I wouldn't put them together...only because I want my dogs to learn alone time is okay because sometimes it is needed.
But maybe the first night or two so she gets used to your home and then wean them into their own crates side by side.

[Ann W]

We also had two puppies very close together. Not the same breed. I would separte them in there on crate from the start. Put the crates by each other. My two play and spent alot of time together, but also can be independent of each other. I really think it's important not to have co-dependent dogs.

[HANNAH 8/2/07 & HONEY 7/2/08]

I would never stick two dogs in one crate, a lot of risk factors also, although if I run the sweeper Honey will hide behind Hannah in her crate, which is kinda cute looking. If you keep collars on your dogs while in their crates, Please remove them, as they can become snagged in the crate and actually choke the dog. A lot of people do not know this till they come home to a dead dog. Mostly a choke collar will do this, but it can also happen with a flat collar. The sides of crates are made to be collapsable and this is where the collars get stuck. It is also much better for them to enjoy the comfort of their own space, time outs, if one wants to nap. Honey and Hannah both have their own, and they know which one belongs to them, they sleep (nap times) and take their treats to their own crate. They are side by side and get along fine. It also gives them their own individuality. We also use the wire type crate so they know and see each other, this helps them so they are not alone.

[LuvMyAbby&Kaela]

I think they would enjoy cuddling to gether in the crate. Make it soft an cushy. Right now I have an old senior citizen dog who sleeps downstairs in the livingroom where he chose to sleep when we moved here. The puppy is in the crate beside my bed. But when the old guy had a companion in his youth (RIP) they always, by choice, slept together curled up wherever they could.

[MBKANE]

get Motta out of the habit of sleeping in the bed. now that you have two doodles you will be happy to have done this. Doodles get big remember and two 60lbs dogs plus you and your hubby will make for a very uncomfortable nights rest, lol. Having two dogs myself I have recently come across the same situation. Kensi is fully house trained and doesn't use a crate anymore. Heidi being 12 wks must be crate trained.

I suggest using two seperate crates side-by-side. It is PARAMOUNT that a puppy learns how to comfort themselves by themselves. This means at night you place them in there respective crates, cover 3 sides with a blanket, say goodnight and WALK AWAY. Crying may happen for a little but I promise it will decrease over time (quite quickly). Puppies need time alone, and it is crucial they learn how to deal with this at a very early age.

[fergie11]

Boy, I'm a bad-bad mom.

[Wendy]

lol... so am I. I tried to get both of them to sleep in the bed but Miley just wouldn't stay on the bed :)
I think Miley was use to staying outside all the time.

[Janie]

I would use two crates.