A hello, new puppy (pics) and crate question!!

stilltrying

stilltrying

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Hi there, I have posted on here a bit ref horsey stuff but this is my first doggy post!

My other half and I got our pup last weekend, an 8 week old Frenchie called Ozzy. He is very cute and very full of character! Would post a pic but I can't see how???

I have a quick question about using a crate – he was in one prior to coming home to us. We were in 2 minds about whether to get one or go down the puppy den route. We opted for a den (and sectioned off area of our kitchen/diner). Pup is not at all happy about being left at night. We make sure he is sleepy before putting him to bed but within a few minutes the noise begins. My other half is inclined to persevere – his view is that its just the separation that’s the problem and wont be solved with a crate. But I am wondering if the open space of the room isn’t helping – although its sectioned off its still a relatively big open plan space. Someone has offered us their crate – will pick up after work. So my question would be, how would you go about reintroducing the crate, bearing in mind he was in one up until last week?

I thought horse guilt was bad but puppy guilt is the worst!!

Any advice welcomed!
 
Hello :)

To post pics, you will need a Photobucket account - if you go into the Picture Gallery section Jesspickle has done a great post about how to post pics.

I would go for the crate, the smaller the space, the more secure he will feel and he should be encouraged to go in there when you are in the house too, so it isn't just somewhere he is shut when you are not there - I think anyone or any puppy would find that upsetting - it's a matter of helping him realise it is a super fun, safe place to be.

Remember he is only eight weeks, still a tiny baby, we never used to let ours go before eight or better, nine weeks so he has a lot to get used to. And remember to try not to fuss him when he is upset as that will reinforce that he was right to cry.
 
First of all, congrats on your new addition! Pics please :D

With regards to the crate, put some of Pup's blankets in there, so it smells familiar, and just start making the crate somewhere really fun to be with, so maybe a few choice toys, a chewy treat etc...

Good luck!
 
ok will try that....

ozzy.jpg
 
I dont come on this bit much, but Oh he is beautiful!!!
Im no help re:the crate ass Im afraid that Pippa (JRT) was in a box by my bed for a week, and then came in bed with me *blush* and hasnt left since - she is coming 7 now!!
Hope you and Ozzy get settled and sorted x
 
What a cutie!!! and great pic.

Everyone elso can give you much better crate advice than me but i wholeheartedly recommend them, and perserverance to not give in to the crying!!
My pup is now 7 months old and whilst i dont shut crate door overnight anymore, he doesnt come out of it til i get up, he loves it!
 
Thanks guys :)

The ears seem to be growing faster than the rest of him, they are massive! Can't get an idea of perception from that pic but he's only about 5 or 6 inches tall.

Rosehip - that's what I'm worried about, he's tiny now but I dont want him in my bed snoring away when he's fully grown! But last night I was sorely tempted....must stay strong!
 
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Oh how cute is that puppy!!!!!!!

The crate wont be an issue....think of it as a bed with walls and chuck in his blankie and some toys. He will go in and out of it as he wishes and then you just need to make it a nice place to sleep then bingo....you can ask him to go in and shut the door for a while.
 
He is TOOOO cute!

My pup is now 8 months. The first 3 nights we had him in his crate at the bottom of our bed. He came out twice a night to go to the toilet and then put straight back in. No fuss. We were advised to do this as he would see us sleeping and the message? After the first few nights we put him downstairs in the crate and never had a problem (other than getting up once or twice a night for 2 weeks needing the toilet)

Do you give him a hot water bottle when he goes to bed? Really helps them settle... Harley loves his and still gets it! We didn't one night and he woke him whinging in the middle of the night, we gave it to him and he went straight back to sleep!! (yes, he is a spoilt brat!!)
 
As he has gone from being with a litter all curled up at night with their comfort, he is now jsut a little anxious to find himself alone, the smaller the space is better to begin with, u can then gradually introduce space, he needs to feel security, to do this you can cover the crate to make it more den like, leave an equal size teddy bear to himself to mimic a puppy sibling and as suggested a heat pad to mimic the warmth he would get from his mother or a sibling, but importantly dont forget he needs to spend periods through the day in the crate when u are present and can be seen and heard, so he does not always assosiate u dissapearing with being left in the crate.
It's best to persevere at this age and not pull him out when he cries, otherwise he than has your number:rolleyes:
Another good trick is to take him out frequently in a crate in the car, this gets him used to travelling safely and he is still in a crate, so he is unbeknown to him becoming more accustomed to being in a crate/carrier, as galaxy suggests, if he is really not settling well, use the same carrier you use to travel him (a large cat carrier will do) to let him sleep in your room for a week to settle him, then use the carrier to place him on the landing then into the kitchen, the rooms may change but his crate stays the same, therfor it should go with little fuss:rolleyes: as he wont even notice, being a small breed like this you could use a carrier for a good while before u switch to a crate, it's also easier to toilet train them.
He is a cutie:D
 
galaxy23 said:
He is TOOOO cute!

My pup is now 8 months. The first 3 nights we had him in his crate at the bottom of our bed. He came out twice a night to go to the toilet and then put straight back in. No fuss. We were advised to do this as he would see us sleeping and the message? After the first few nights we put him downstairs in the crate and never had a problem (other than getting up once or twice a night for 2 weeks needing the toilet)

Do you give him a hot water bottle when he goes to bed? Really helps them settle... Harley loves his and still gets it! We didn't one night and he woke him whinging in the middle of the night, we gave it to him and he went straight back to sleep!! (yes, he is a spoilt brat!!)
Click to expand...

Thanks! :)

Yes he has a hot water bottle wrapped in smelly blanket the breeder gave us. Once he goes to sleep he has generally been quiet until we are up at 6 a.m. its just that first hour that is the problem. He makes the most awful sounds as well, like a fox does - almost childlike.
 
We tried a heat pad with Betsy but I think it cooled very quickly, I never thought to try a hot water bottle so I will have a hunt for one tomorrow!

Slightly Hijacking! Sorry! CAYLA - Now that Betsy is completely spoilt and is allowed to sleep in her bed and climb onto MiLs bed whenever she wants.. Would we be better off sticking her bed in her crate straightaway? Or going back to her sleeping in the carrier in the room with us them moving it further away then going to the crate? She is spending time in the crate during the day, when we are there and when we go out and she does settle down eventually.
 
I would try putting her in the crate 1st, if she becomes really anxious, then do the carrier for a week and move her back down, if she is in for periods now, u may be fine to use the crate straight away over night.
 
Thank you! I think she is more stroppy than anxious to be honest. She shows no fear... ever.
I swear this puppy is half Border half Satan. If she doesnt improve with a more sturdy routine I will be hunting you down for help!
 
Ozzy update: Got the crate last night, its not really the right size (its massive!) but we cleaned it up, covered it with a big throw and put all his kit in and he happily trotted into his new bed. Didn't get it all set up till about 9 ish last night so didn't want to shut him in over night as was still new, so left the door open. But he didn't cry all night!!! Woo hoo!!! Will practice shutting him in over weekend and see how we go. Thanks for the help! :)
 
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