Crate training

[branofthemist]

Good morning

I pick up my new cocker spaniel pup on Friday. (Yes I researched the breeder and we are experienced cocker owners).

I was wondering if anyone had advice on crate training. When we got my last pup, we didn't do it. Mum has since got a dog and swears by crate training.

Can anyone direct me to some good links on it or share advice? I read the rspca link that says staying in a crate overnight needs to be worked up to. Which is fine. But then I saw in another thread here that some people have used their crate straight away.

I wondering where the safest place for the puppy to sleep if she can't go in the crate straight away. My downstairs is open plan and I am concerned she could hurt herself when if left over night with the run of downstairs.

Many thanks

google 'Crate Games' by Susan Garrett.

Thank you, will do that now!

What did the breeder do?

Mine have both stayed in their crates over night from day one. Pup one cried for a couple of minutes and pup two never cried burgers up for a wee at 4 am (11&9 weeks old when I got them).

But gets up not burgers!

It was all fine. Breeder used crates but I thought it would be different when she was on her own.

Put her in with a cuddly toy and she curled up with it. Cried for a few minutes and that was it. Then cried about 1am, I found dh on the floor next to the crate, asleep. Had to get up and take her out a couple of times , but all in all an easy night.

She crys if you take the cuddly toy out of the crate. So it's staying exactly there.

Well that doesn't sound too bad. Well done.