Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2011 5:06 pm Post subject: Crate or bed
Hi everybody, our 19 week girl Bonnie dosent mind her crate during the day but at night she hates it, she howls and barks and gets really stressed, knawing the bars of the cage in anger. For the sake of our neighbours we bought a dogs bed and she sleeps in our bedroom with no problems at all. She sleeps well and is a very happy and loving dog, she just loves people so I think she just loves being in the same room as the other members of the pack.
Is this a good or a bad thing, I am not sure but if you look at things from a doggy perspective then to me she is acting normally, but from a human perspective the crate downstairs is better. I am new to dog ownership and have discussed this point with numerous dog owners and everybody has differing ideas so I am confused.
Initially at 10 weeks when we got her she settled in her crate but after a few days she hated it at night but then settled again. Then she became unsettled again and my daughter was so upset at her being so stressed she against our advice went downstairs to try and pacify her. This I know was a big mistake but I can understand why my daughter thought she was doing the right thing. So we are where we are but we do have a lovely Labrador now at 19 weeks who has bite inhibition sorted and just loves the family and has never attempted to bite feet, hands or ankles unless really excited when playing and gave the odd nip but that is so seldom now as she immediately let's go on touching skin. Even the vet and the dog trainer are amazed at how calm and composed she is. So do I stress her and try the crate again or just let her sleep in our bedroom in her own bed. Any help would be appreciated, thanks Ron
Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2012 8:58 pm Post subject: Crate at night
9 week old Rory has only been with me 4 days but I am trying to crate train him but he doesn't seem to like his crate much at all! He slept really well in it the first 2 nights but last night was hard work! He cried most of the night despite me taking him to toilet at 3am. Can I ask if people think it is best to have the crate in the bedroom with me? I'm not sure this is a good idea anymore as last night he cried so loudly he woke the neighbours! I was thinking of putting his crate in the kitchen tonight but I may not hear him if he cries and I'm guessing I need to incase he needs the toilet. Someone on another site say they put the crate in a small room like a laundry room or kitchen and leave the crate door open with newspaper or puppy pad just outside. Is this a good idea? One more question, is it best to make sure Rory has a drink and toilet before going in his crate and taking him half way through the night? Or is it a better idea to leave a bowl of water in his crate with him?
I had the crate in my bedroom when Luna was a pup - she did wake me when she needed the toilet despite my setting the alarm to wake me up to take her out a couple of times (with hindsight her food wasn't agreeing with her so she needed more visits out than most pups).
I wouldn't encourage any pup to go to the toilet on paper or pads as it confuses toilet training. Perhaps for the rest of the week set your alarm to go off twice in the night and take him out, give him chance for a wee and poop (Luna had to walk around a bit to get 'things' moving) and then pop him back in crate. If he seems ok with just one visit out - change your alarm. Some pups can very quickly go through the night without needing to go, some take much longer. I think Luna's last feed was about 8pm which gave enough time for toilet after. I can't recall properly but she probably didn't drink after 930pm and then she'd go out about 11pm for toilet before we headed to bed. He shouldn't need water in his crate overnight.
If the neighbours are going to be upset at being woken then it could be worth having him in your room if you don't mind this and he is quieter. Some people have had success with having the crate start in the bedroom and then move it onto the landing, to the bottom of the stairs, into the lounge or wherever you want him to sleep as a grown up or want the crate to be positioned.
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