Quote:
Originally Posted by ARCHIE  I would not allow a puppy in bed until it was fully housebroken.
I crate trained Buddy but left his crate in the kitchen during the night.
I regret that to this day. I read an article that said, it made sence at
the time, to leave the crate in a place that your puppy will be spending
most of it's time when it comes home. That was the kitchen. I left night
lights all over on all four walls but my bedroom was far away. I wish
I didn't listen to that article and left his crate next to my bed. I feel
sad even today 6yrs later that he came home to a new home in a strange
place and slept alone at night. I would crate train your puppy but leave
the crate by your bed with a cover over the top for security. Once trained
put his bed next to your bed. If he wants up I would allow him to sleep with you, which was Buddy's choice but if he sleeps in his own bed at that
point I wouldn't encourage it. It's really better he sleep in his own bed. |
Carol, I totally have the same guilt. When Snick 1st came home (he was only 8 weeks old!) we crated him in the laundry room and he was all alone in a new place with strangers (us!) It makes me sick to think I did that to him. He would cry and cry for a solid 3 weeks. Finally I had it, it broke my heart and we brough him in our bedroom and he was SILENT all night.
To the OP, crate training can be GREAT for some pups but was not suitable for our Snickers. He is a puppy mill pup and he just hated crates in general (can you blame him?) So after we decided to get rid of the crate, we usd a small human playpen which was elevated about 1 ft off the ground and he stayed in there while we were at work, it worked so much better. He slept in our bed when he was about 4 months and did have about 2 accidents (gross!) At about 6 months he was fully trained and now will not sleep anywhere but with us.
Dogs want to be with their pack, and the pack is you
. If you crate train, please keep the crate in your room by you at night. During the day I would keep the crate where there is some action to watch, (by a window/tv etc.)
Good luck
Snick & Viv