time puppy spends in crate

[Crazy Cocker Gang]

hi,
im worried my pup is spending too much time in his crate. When we got him we thought we would have to introduce him slowly to his crate but he went in straight away. We read when we got him we should start putting him in his crate when hes sleepy which we did but now every time hes tired he takes himself to his crate and has a two hour sleep in there with the door open. Hes been sleeping for four hours during the night getting up to go to the toilet then sleeping another few hours. The only time the doors shut is if during the night and maybe for three 5mins during the day to get him use to it being closed. He doesnt cry in his crate and if i close the door when hes asleep he wakes up looks and goes back to sleep. Hes very affectionate when hes awake and plays games with us. His house training is going well and hes not had a poo in the house yet. We have had him since tuesday and i thought he would be spending 5mins in the crate a few times a day to get use to it but hes probably spending about 6hrs a day in his crate at his own choice. He goes in himself and the doors open so is this too long??
thanks joe

[spanielcrazy]

Not to worry  If he's taking himself in there to sleep, then he obviously likes it and feels secure in there. You are lucky with that!

What is usually discussed as "too much crate time" is puppies who are shut in while owners are away long hours.

Your puppy has the freedom to come and go at will, so I wouldn't worry a thing about it! 

[Jane S]

Puppies do sleep a lot when they're young so don't worry that your chap is taking himself off for a snooze in his crate when he feels tired. It's really good that he has taken to his crate so easily - I'm sure other new owners will be feeling quite jealous when they read your post

[Crazy Cocker Gang]

thank you. i worry about things having an effect on him when hes older. Hes been so good i keep thinking this cant be right. He loves his crate enjoys playing with us or is happy to sit with his chew bone at our feet. Hes just so calm and chilled out with everything.

[ludo]

what a good boy  sounds like you have a puppy with a quiet disposition  I agree with the posts here - he must like his crate and is making his own decision to rest in there - but he is still interacting with you through play as well  enjoy! 

[lisalh]

 
He sounds like an absolute   You are soooo luck
Please post some pics so we call all admire the wee man

Lisa x

[Helsbel]

I'm sooooo jealous!! Oscar doesnt like his crate much, no matter how many toys and treats we put in there he would much rather be somewhere else!

[Helen]

aaaah little puppy batteries - they take a short while to run down and they need to recharge often.  The battery power changes very rapidly to taking a long while to run down, and a very short time to recharge 

He's had a big week too - he's in a completely new environment and he's just a baby 

[lizzielewis]

I've just bought a crate today for our puppy who comes home in just over a week.  YAAAAAYY!!!  I was really worried about whether a crate was the right thing to do, but all of your comments have convinced me it is!  We weren't sure whether to get a pen or a crate, but as we have cats, decided to go for the option he'd feel most secure in.

I just hope our little boy is as comfortable in his as as yours is!!  :-)

[Bev_M]

you lucky thing

My last dog loved his crate, especially in his older years so he could go away and get peace, he even closed the door behind him 

Hamish on the other hand    hates his and it is now hardly ever used

[JenSam]

Lucky you!  Sam hated his crate and it is now folded in a cupboard!   

[fenn2006]

Yep same here....was many long hours closing the door, leaving for five mins, then opening again...took forever so yes you are very, very lucky indeed, bless him 

[GailyK81]

Ahh sounds like your little fella has settled really well, it is good he feels safe to go to his crate when he is tired and being a little one he will sleep more than he awake at the moment, lucky you.

[Crazy Cocker Gang]

I was wary about using a crate and feel so lucky that jack loves it because it comes in so handy. I was babysitting my 16mth old nephew today and when i was busy with him jack just took himself off into his crate with a toy and had a play or a snooze. He was a little  with my nephew, cant say the same about my nephew though jack went and sat at his feet for a stroke and my nephew went to kick him little  . After i told him no naughty they played really nice together. Jack just keeps surprising me my nephew was running round making alot of noise and jack was really chilled out. hes sleeping through the night in his crate from 12 until 6 when he wakes for the toilet.

[PennyB]

Wilf was like this as a pup --- he'd fall asleep anywhere and everywhere He's still laid back but made up for all that sleeping. While its not decorative, mine would hate me to take the crate down and they're 5 and 6 years old now