Hello, I need help with crate training my 9 week old lab/golden mix. We first brought Toby home at 7 weeks old. He did not have a crate for several days, so he slept with my son. We have only tried the crate at night one time. When in the bed with my son he sleeps or at least stays on the bed from 10:00-11:00 at night until after 7:am. The one night we tried the crate, he woke up at 2:45. I took him out to potty and put him back in the crate. I am going to start crating him at night starting tonight. About how long should I wait to take him out? I don't want to go backwards in my potty training. Also, the crate is in my upstairs bathroom right now. I am thinking about bringing it downstairs, but I'm afraid him seeing my other dogs out and about the house will make him get more upset about being in the crate. On the other hand, I do not want him to feel isolated. What should I do? Thank you and God bless, Tondra
Hi and welcome to the forum I'm not the best person to comment on crate training as I tried and ended up letting her sleep upstairs on our bed within 6 weeks of having her . I have attached a link below which gives lots of advice on crate training. You may find it difficult for the first few days especially as he slept upstairs with a family member to start with, but with consistent training you will get there. Hopefully someone will be along soon with some advice. Please let us know how you get on. http://www.thelabradorsite.com/crate-training-your-labrador-puppy/
You'll need to break him and that may take several days to a week. He won't take long to sleep thru the night but you consistancy and patience on your part is the key. We had the crate, and still do, in our bedroom and I spent several nights on the floor -maybe 45 minutes--with the door open comforting him till he fell asleep. I was grumpy for that first week having interrupted sleep but it passed, and will for you too.
Sounds like it was working well to have him on your son's bed Is there somewhere you can put the crate where he can be with the other dogs or in a room where a person is sleeping?
Thank you everyone for the great advice. I want to take him out of my son's bed even though it is so precious seeing them together. I'm afraid when he gets bigger and can get off of the bed, he will chew something up in his room. I'm going to try to get him to stay in the crate tonight. Usually if I sit near the crate and talk to him softly he will settle down. My concern is, when he cries tonight, I will not know if it is because he has to potty. I'm assuming not because he holds all night already, but I definitely do not want to go backwards in the potty training department. The crate is in the bathroom right off of my bedroom, so I'll be able to be there for him no problem. God bless, Tondra
