Getting my 1yr old Lab to sleep downstairs

[ItsTheKissing]

Our lab has slept in our room since he was a puppy (he's now 1) but we need to move him downstairs. He has a crate and several beds which he will lie on but gets distressed when left in his own for too long.

We can't do the, move him into the hall for a few nights and then to the bottom of the stairs etc as he can open our bedroom door ..... already tried this but he just comes opens the door and comes in.

Last night I tried leaving him downstairs but after 30 mins of barking and howling I gave in and slept on the sofa. He spent most of the night in his bed but when I woke this morning he was asleep on the sofa next to me.

We are getting a new puppy soon and can't have them both in the bedroom so want to try to crack this before the new one arrives...... anyone else been successful in doing this and if so, how?

Temporary baby gate in the doorway?

Turn the door handles upside down so he cannot open them?

Does he not sleep in his crate?
How does he open that door?
I'd get him to sleep in his crate every night, door shut, then do the moving thing.

You want to be careful that won't cause issue between the dogs, it's going to take a lot of adjusting for your existing pup and removing it from your room for the new pup to take its place may not go down well

@ItsTheKissing

Our lab has slept in our room since he was a puppy (he's now 1) but we need to move him downstairs. He has a crate and several beds which he will lie on but gets distressed when left in his own for too long.

We can't do the, move him into the hall for a few nights and then to the bottom of the stairs etc as he can open our bedroom door ..... already tried this but he just comes opens the door and comes in.

Last night I tried leaving him downstairs but after 30 mins of barking and howling I gave in and slept on the sofa. He spent most of the night in his bed but when I woke this morning he was asleep on the sofa next to me.

We are getting a new puppy soon and can't have them both in the bedroom so want to try to crack this before the new one arrives...... anyone else been successful in doing this and if so, how?

So. If you are sure you dont want both in bedroom then don't try to make changes until the pup arrives.

My adult dogs have always loved new pups - it shouldn't take long for them to be cuddled up next to each other - which might help the labs separation anxiety.

I would sleep downstairs with them both, if they want to sleep together then encourage it. You want them to bond and rely on each other.

The DC and I had a rota for sleeping downstairs with new puppies - it was considered a perk . Don't leave them alone until you're pretty sure the older dog has bonded with the pup and chooses to be with it - rather than seeing it as a nuisance.

After the first pup 30+ yrs ago we've had no disturbed nights since - always had an older dog for the pup to be comforted by.

Post divorce I've gone in the other direction - the dogs now sleep in my room, the ex would never consider it

@BitchAssBitch we're putting a stair gate on bottom of stairs...... didn't think about that with door handles!

@Ihaventgottimeforthis he sleeps on a bed in our room currently; crate is too big to fit in our room although he will happily wonder in and out of it and settle I. It during the day (in the kitchen) but I have never shut the door or shut him in.

@MoreMorelos yes this is exactly what I am trying to avoid although am going to keep pup downstairs too, from the outset and sleep downstairs myself to start with

@catsrus yes I plan to sleep downstairs with both of them. My initial thought was that to move our existing dog and introduce puppy at the same time may be too much all at once but you make it sound like it can work. I really hope they grow to bond well with each other

That makes sense, mine all sleep in the room with us, the youngest is nearly 3 and a total Velcro dog, where I go he goes with me

Does existing dog have separation anxiety? If so I wouldn’t be getting another right now.

Would you consider shutting him in then?
He would have to stay then.
Obviously it's a gradual process of getting him used to it, but one of the benefits of crate training is that your dog is safely confined.
Our dog slept downstairs in a closed crate till he was perhaps 9 months, once he was out of chewing phase & settled well at night, we then started leaving the door open. He now sleeps on his bed downstairs, no longer confined.

@Wolfiefan before the second lockdown, he was happily on his own for four hours (we have a two way camera so could see him). But the second lockdown was much harder to maintain this and in the last few weeks have slowly built him up to two hours but no more at present as there hasn't been an opportunity to do anymore.

@Ihaventgottimeforthis possibly but I'm wary of him then thinking he is trapped in there and starts to hate it.

Ok. I would try sleeping downstairs with him for a bit. Have a look at dog training advice and support on FB about crate training.

Thanks @Wolfiefan; it's a great resource!

[quote ItsTheKissing]@catsrus yes I plan to sleep downstairs with both of them. My initial thought was that to move our existing dog and introduce puppy at the same time may be too much all at once but you make it sound like it can work. I really hope they grow to bond well with each other[/quote]
I've introduced pups to both bitches and dogs, one old rescue (10.5) was decidedly puzzled at the devotion the new pup displayed towards him, but never rejected her snuggling up 😊

Just to update, DDog is happily in his crate overnight, sleeping through. It took four nights of sleeping downstairs with him, slowly moving further away from the crate.

Great news!