2nd Cocker - crate or not to crate

[Bella & Poppy]

Hi,

I have 2 cockers, one is 12 months (bella) and one is 8 weeks (poppy).

Bella just sleeps downstairs with no problem, I am currently putting poppy in a crate with attached pen but at 5am - when I go down and let her out she just curls up and goes sleep

Am I asking for trouble if I just let them both free in the room?

[Bella & Poppy]

I sum what think having bella free in the room is a bit of a wind up for her ?!

[LurcherGirl]

I tend to crate new puppies for a few weeks at night simply to teach them to actually sleep and not roam at night and also for house training reasons.  Once I am confident that they won't mess indoors at night and they are settled, I remove the crate permanently.

Vera

[redlottie]

We bought Albie home at 8 weeks when Otto was 15 months.  Otto had free roam but we crated Albie from day one to help with toilet training, knowing crate time was time out etc.  He always seemed happy enough to trundle off to his crate even though Otto wasnt crated.  I think in some ways its nice as the pup has their 'own' territory where the big dog isnt allowed to go.

Albie is now 10 months and isnt crated overnight but does still have a pen when we leave him which he is fine with.