First night home questions.

[Riverkatie]

It is 17 years since we had a puppy.

Barney was shut in the downstairs bathroom with a bed and newspaper on the floor and left to cry, as was the norm back then.

I am planning on using a crate with Ruff (4 weeks until he comes home) who will be 8 weeks old.

Did you have the crate in your room? Did you get up at night to potty him/her? Did you leave him/her to cry? How did it work for you? What would you do differently next time?

Thanks
Katie.

[daking]

winston is still in a crate, and in the room. he has been out maybe 3 times during the night to pee, has been good with his bladder. he whined and cried until he got used toit being his very own place.

[Nikkiey]

We brought Juneau home at 8 weeks and we started crate training right away. For the first week we set our alarm to wake up every 2-3 hours with him and let him out for a pee break. (We had heard that if a dog starts soiling in their kennel it can be hard to break so we wanted to avoid this.) We didn't wait for Juneau to wake us up because we wanted him to learn that when WE say it's time to pee it's time and if not then he had better cross his paws.
For week two, we were able to make three night time pee breaks turn into two and as time went on we made it into one. After having him for about 3/4 weeks we no longer woke up with him and he could make it through the night (usually 8 hours) without a problem.

As for the first night he was with us, my husband or I slept with our hand in between the kennel bars because he cried - alot. On the second night I put the shirt I slept in the night before in his kennel with him and that seems to keep him content for the most part. He cried every once and a while but would eventually settle down.

One thing I would change if I had to do it again: not buy a plastic kennel. Juneau got so hot most of the nights and would cry because he was so uncomfortable. We eventually got a metal one and I must say, he's quite happy with it.

Juneau is now 8.5 months old and as of about 5.5 months, stopped sleeping in his kennel at night. He's still confined to our room (all doors shut) so he has no where to go. During the days that he's at home alone, he is in the garage in his kennel. I don't think I'll trust him in the house by himself for quite awhile cause he's just so mischievous.

[Sally May Jones]

I also had a experience similar to Nikkiey. The first week was difficult getting used to the new enviroment. Slowly she started to get the feel for things and was able to go to the bathroom at night and make it thru the night. Now she hangs out with us in the bedroom at night with no issues at all. That is after a few accidents that had to be handled. Have you thought about what kind of carpet cleaners you will be looking into?

[Riverkatie]

Thank you everyone. Not long now until Ruff comes home! Another 3 weeks!

[M&Tdoodles]

Originally Posted by Nikkiey

We brought Juneau home at 8 weeks and we started crate training right away. For the first week we set our alarm to wake up every 2-3 hours with him and let him out for a pee break. (We had heard that if a dog starts soiling in their kennel it can be hard to break so we wanted to avoid this.) We didn't wait for Juneau to wake us up because we wanted him to learn that when WE say it's time to pee it's time and if not then he had better cross his paws.
For week two, we were able to make three night time pee breaks turn into two and as time went on we made it into one. After having him for about 3/4 weeks we no longer woke up with him and he could make it through the night (usually 8 hours) without a problem.

As for the first night he was with us, my husband or I slept with our hand in between the kennel bars because he cried - alot. On the second night I put the shirt I slept in the night before in his kennel with him and that seems to keep him content for the most part. He cried every once and a while but would eventually settle down.

what a smart idea...i love your story because it shows dedication to getting your dog comfortable with sleeping in his crate. To assist in learning that the crate is a desirable place to be for the welfare & safety & for your peace of mind. Nice figuring out the plastic was not comfy as the wire crate. Dogs must have room enough to stand and turn and lay on side comfortably...great story for the newbies learning..

[Nikkiey]

Thank you M&Tdoodles! Crate training was high on our list when it came to training of any sort and it has helped substantially!!

And I second the comment about the size of kennel as well. You want the kennel to be warm (not literally) and inviting to the puppy so that they will WANT to go in it. With that being said, keep in mind every puppy is different. My older dog LOVES big comfy quilts and blankets in his kennel and yet will only sleep directly on the floor anywhere else even though he has a big cozy bed, whereas Juneau hates things in his kennel with him, but will always gravitate towards the fluffiest bed everywhere else in the house. Though they are polar opposites when it comes to their kennels, they both love them and sleep/hangout in them willingly.

[deepnite10]

i did nt particularly like the idea of the crate..i was pretty old school as well..but, changed opinions soon after reading up on how to deal with a new pup..

i put together a crate inside my bedroom to prepare for Toby s homecoming..the first night was the only night he let out any whimpering..
after putting a blanket over the crate and keeping the tv. on all night he got over it and pretty much went to sleep as soon as the blankie was put over the crate..

i did nt plan on having him stay in the crate for very long..only till he learn d to use the doggie door..after 2 weeks he was sleeping freely wherever he wanted in the house..*mostly in bed with