Hello, We have an 8 week old lab puppy who has been living with us for 9 days. Looking for a bit of advice re night time crating... We kept pup near to us for his first week before moving him downstairs at night time. Originally we put the crate in kitchen as easy access to garden for toilet training, however, we became aware that we actually spend most of our time in sitting room so have since moved crate to there to try and encourage him to use it as his space/ den. This felt like the right thing to do as he won’t settle unless we are nearby. Which brings us into the night time problem... I can get him to settle and sleep in his crate if I am in the room, but the expected crying happens if we leave when he is awake or if he wakes up and the door is shut. He is waking up hourly at the moment and crying so have been assuming he needs toilet and letting him out. He does toilet every time but as he can go longer through the day starting to think he is doing learned crying to get attention and also be near us. I am wondering if it better to let him cry it out? Apprehensive about trying this as my partner is back at work so I am trying to let him get a decent sleep without pup howling the house down. Also worried that I am being cruel incase pup does really need the toilet and I am ignoring the cries/ setting him back with his toilet training (which he picked up really quickly). I am a pushover and as he seems to be a sensitive soul who can’t bare to be on his own, I would happily have him in the bedroom every night but my partner doesn’t agree and I am worried that having pup so reliant on company would cause him problems later on. Continuing daytime crate training today with him. As I mentioned above he is happy to go in crate when we are in the room and the door is open but otherwise he is not keen. Even a tasty long lasting treat doesn’t distract him. Tried reading up online about it but just feel confused as to how to approach. sorry for the long post and hope it makes sense! Look forward you hearing any advice/tips you may have. From a frazzled, sleep deprived puppy owner xxx
Welcome to the forum! Don't worry, those early days with a puppy are always difficult and it sounds like you are heading in the right direction. We've got a guide to crate training which I think you will find helpful - you can check it out here. Let us know how you get along!
