I was about to post this on another thread but realised how long it was so thought it better to start my own:
We're also going through the new puppy/crate training experience (hence me being awake now!). We only got him on Sat and he is 8 weeks today. Have made the crate cosy with a blanket/bed inside and blanket over the top, a toy and blanket smelling of his mother/litter, one of my t shirts, a nylabone and a small ticking clock. I have been getting him used to the crate by feeding him in there, giving him treats and a special one if he manages to stay inside for approx 1 minute (have been walking away and waiting and coming back and treating), which I have built up to slowly. He isn't too keen on being shut in still though but will have to learn this morning as I will need a shower!
Last night he was exhausted and asleep by just before 9, but I woke him up after a short nap to play with him and try and keep him awake a bit longer (is that mean?!) so he slept better during the night. I had to take him out a couple of times before he would wee but once he had I sat with him and yawned and licked my lips and he settled down and I put him in his crate and stroked him and he drifted off at about 10:10ish. I then fully covered the crate and had the radio on low. No whining.
He then woke at just before 2. After last night we had decided to take him out (last night he was up at 12:50 (my daughter had a nightmare so I suspect he heard her) , 3:30 and 5:45 (which seems to be when he wakes for the day. We left him but after about 15/20 mins of super barking we went down as we suspected he might need the loo. Which he did, every time he did a wee and twice a poo). He did a wee immediately and I took him back inside and put him in his crate with door open and my hand, yawned and he settled, did same routine. He then woke at 3:30. I thought it wasn't a desperate for the loo cry but a lonely cry but my husband said I should go down in case (think he weed a little last night in crate first time we left him to cry). I did and he did a wee but a tiny one he clearly didn't need. He was harder to settle this time - kept coming out and sitting on my to sleep. But I put him in crate with my hand and he fell asleep pretty quickly so I did the same routine and left him. He has just woken up at 5:45 and done wee and poo.
What are people's thoughts on this? I believe at 8 weeks puppies can only really hold it for about 4 hours? Is that correct? Also he has only been here three days so will still be missing his pack. I think last night I should have left the second wake up, making only one during the night for me! (Am slightly wary as he has a big bark for a little puppy and our house is open plan so you can hear it quite well upstairs and I would rather my daughter wasn't woken up - she is 18 months! But I think I will have to let him bark soon for this to work...) Any advice greatly appreciated - thanks so much!