Sleeping Arrangements?

by Gail
(York)

Sleeping Arrangements for a Cocker Spaniel Puppy? Crate Him!

My 10 week old puppy is sleeping in my 14 year old son's room in his bed on the floor but I want him to sleep in the kitchen. How can I do this as we tried him in a crate for the first two nights when we got him at 8 weeks and he cried all night and kept us awake.

He was originally placed in the lounge in the crate and we moved him upstairs for a little bit of peace.

He goes to sleep about 11pm and wakes at about 05.30 to 06.30am.

He wees and poos on the puppy training mat.

HELP!!!

Reply from Pauline (Web Owner)

Hello Gail,

It's really important that you persevere when crate training your puppy. Of course he's going to cry - he's away from his mother and siblings, and also his new pack, but don't worry, he'll soon learn to settle down.

You could move his crate to your son's room (and make the puppy sleep inside the crate) and as he settles begins to settle down at night, gradually move the crate nearer to the bedroom door and eventually out into the kitchen (or wherever you'd like him to sleep).

I recommend you read this article to help your puppy settle down at night and then the puppy crate training series here to give you more information about what you need to do to help your puppy.

The crate will also help your puppy to hold his wees/poos a little bit longer, perhaps until you get up, because dogs don't like to soil in their own 'den' and as your dog's crate will become his den he'll try to wait. However, it's important that as soon as you wake you take him outside to where you want him to do his business. Just in case you've not found it, this article on potty training might help you.

Good luck!

Pauline