Crate training/bedtime routines/barking at night/separation anxiety

[whostolethesocks]

Yesterday we picked up our one year old Lab rescue dog. He was beautifully behaved during the day and settled in really well. We put him in his crate while we ate during the day and he was fine. At bedtime we put him in his crate in the living room and all went upstairs to bed. After a while he started barking. For a while we ignored it hoping he would stop but then we started worrying he would wake the neighbours and children. We ended up taking turns periodically going down and sleeping on the sofa next to him and then he seemed to be happy. So I guess this is a separation anxiety problem? Any suggestions on how we get around this? Or do we just need to persevere?

Has he been crate trained by the previous owner/foster carer? If not, it's asking a lot to expect him to be happy in there overnight.

Also, it was his first night so I would expect a lot of anxiety from him, regardless of whether he is generally prone to separation anxiety or not.

When our pup started sleeping in her crate, I used to sleep downstairs with her and then gradually started to creep back upstairs during the night. After about a week she was fine downstairs on her own, with a Philadelphia-stuffed kong at bedtime to encourage her in there and help her settle.

Really not sure if he's been a crate before. I know I shouldn't expect too much on his first week or so with us. Thanks for your advice. Might try the creeping out slowly technique and keep the Kong stuffed in the crate!

You probably need to start from scratch with crate training then - there's loads of threads and web pages about it. It can take time so don't rush it. In the meantime you can restrict how much access he has to the house using babygates :)

Do you need to crate him , if he is well behaved and toilet trained ?

Not all dogs have to be crated - I have an 18 month old lab and she never settled in crate - so we stopped it , never looked back .

Really don't worry he is just a baby and getting used to his new surroundings. I bet within 3 nights he is no longer barking.

Up to you if you want to sleep in the room with him and gradually increase the distance each night but he will probably get used to things without this. He actually will settle quicker in a crate as he feels secure than not but again up to you. Give him a teddy to cuddle and a play before bed and a late supper.