New puppy - is this normal?

[Doggylover2021]

Hi there - I just need some advice or reassurance, I’m not sure which!

This is my first puppy/dog so it’s all very new for me. I’ve had him now for 3 days and since the second day he just loves his crate. Runs in and sleeps in it, doesn’t seem particularly bothered to come out. Sometimes I coax him out but often I just carry him out. He also spends a lot of time sleeping in it, or just flopped there.

I’m slightly worried about the amount he’s sleeping and also just how much he likes being in there. Does that mean he’s not bonded to me? That he doesn’t want to come out. I’m sorry if this sounds really stupid. I’ve done lots of reading and tbh I’m feeling very overwhelmed with it.

When I first got him, he whined a bit but since then he doesn’t seem bothered if I leave the room. I was really worried about separation anxiety but now I’m worried he’s depressed and doesn’t care here.

Couldn’t get a vet appointment until the end of next week so I can’t even check he’s ok.

Puppies do sleep a lot (in my case interspersed with periods of manic madness). Think about babies

Puppies sleep a lot - 20 hours a day (ish) Also he is tiny and adjusting to a whole new world. If he's eating and drinking and has short spells of being alertI would try not to worry. If he feels safe in the crate that is a good thing.

You’ve only had him 3 Days!!! He is a tiny baby who has only ever know life with his mum and siblings. This is a huge new overwhelming world for him and puppies need a lot of sleep. It’s good he likes his crate. Please don’t worry! You’ve plenty of time for deep bonding.

I assume he’s at least 8 weeks old and is healthy and came from a decent breeder...

We also wondered this when we got our puppy last year, despite being experienced dog owners! He seemed to sleep all time, but fast forward to 11 months, and I can assure you this is no longer a problem! Be nice if he slept a bit more really, give us a break!

Yes think of it like the newborn phase before they wake up properly! Enjoy the relative peace

Praise him for going in his crate!! Wish mine had willingly done that!. They sleep for most of the day, my 6 month old still sleeps a lot. It’s really good he goes in, gives him peace and quiet and that’s a good thing. Don’t coax him out he’ll come out when he’s ready.

As long as he’s alert some of the time. Otherwise I’d worry. But if he’s sleepy. Plays, sleeps. That’s great. He is still tiny.the bonding will happen. Embrace the fact he likes his crate, he feels secure, that’s good.

Our pup is the same. He’s 10 weeks now. He’s shy and a little timid so he feels safest in his crate. We’ve got a lovely snuggly bed in it and we’ve also just bought two more beds exactly the same in the lounge and hallway so he can feel he’s got a safe spot in other rooms. He’s just starting to trust us and show his personality now after 2 weeks.

Be grateful! Our most recent puppy would only sleep on me for a month and still at 7 months has to be coaxed into taking a nap that she clearly needs!
Overtired pups are destructive pups....

Ok I shall try not to worry! Yes he’s 8 weeks and 3 days and the breeder seemed great in socialising him and his siblings with her grandchildren and children.

Should I not just take him out of his crate then and wait for him? I often take him out to feed him or put him in the garden for a wee or a poo. Today I put him in a sling and walked around the park. He looked out for a bit - initially he was shivering, I wasn’t sure if it was cold or because he was frightened as we were crossing busy roads - but I have him a treat and he eventually ate it. Then he just fell asleep in the sling until I came back!

We’ve got a adaptil pheromone collar on ours and a plug in too. They recommend you put them on for first 8 weeks. That needs two collars, as each one last 4 weeks.

Rule of thumb - young puppies need 3-4 hours sleep for every hour awake in the day, plus a full night's sleep too. Puppies sleep a lot!

If he's alert and engaged between his naps then I wouldn't be worried at all. I'd simply leave him to sleep in peace.

I also wouldn't worry about him not being bonded to you yet. Why should he be? He's known you three days. You're the weird stranger who took him from his home and family. Right now you - and everything else - is new and unfamiliar, and probably a bit scary. If he feels safest in his crate then leave him.

I promise, he will bond to you. You will become his everything. But relationship building takes time. You haven't earned it yet.

Enjoy your new puppy!

Thank you!!