New pup

[Weewascal]

Hi everyone, we are due to pick up our new cocker spaniel pup in a few weeks time and have a few questions that we hope you could help answer, we are first timers when it comes to owning a dog so any help would be really appreciated..

Here goes...We are keen to go down the crate training route with our pup but having measured out a 24'' crate, it just doesn't seem big enough for a fully grown spaniel, we are now looking at a 32'' crate so it will have space to stretch out, any thoughts?

Also where should the pup sleep? We live in a flat which is all open plan Barr the bedroom, the livingspace gets very cold in the winter so have considered letting it sleep in the bedroom with us, in it's crate, again we're not sure what is best, is it a case of trial and error or will that just confuse the wee thing?

Thanks in advance.

weewascal.

[cfordham2710]

32" sounds like a better size for the pup.  My Skye sleeps downstairs in the lounge in her crate which we have now taken the door off of.  She goes in there during the day whenever she wants and she sleeps in it at night.  When it's a bit chilly, we put more bedding in her crate, and a double size sleeping bag around and over it which keeps it warm.  If its really that cold, you can get something called a Snugglesafe which is like a hot water bottle for dogs which stays warm for about 10 hrs.

[primmer]

We got Murphy a huge crate suitable for German Shepherds and he is now nearly 2 years old and he still loves it. He sleeps in the crate and is in there when we go out and he often takes himself in there. It is his safe place and we wouldn't take it off him now

[RegalRustyCharm]

Yeah our crate is the suggested size for a German Shepherd/Doberman! It's massive but I feel better knowing that Lucy has the most space possible when left in her crate when home alone.

[LinziS]

Have a 32 " crate for our pup..initially had bed in one half and puppy pads in the other for any accidents. She is now 15weeks and as she has been toilet trained for a few weeks it is now just her bed  with couple of blankets also as it a bit nippy just now. It is located in the hall but she uses it during the day if she wants peace from us or our other cocker and is put in it overnight and when we leave the house. We have 3 sides of it covered as she was not keen on it being left open for some reason. Also she has a hottie in with her at night for extra warmth. Our older cocker who is 6 used the crate until she was 2 ish albeit not locked..it became her sanctuary until she discovered the delights of sharing a human bed 

[Clarabell]

Hello, we have a crate for Thea and we only have to say "bed time" and she goes straight in bless her. We shut the door at night and place a large blanket over so it's all warm and cosy for her.
I was advised to do this by the breeder and we haven't looked back since day one. She loves her little doggy room and takes all her toys in there 

[maddy74]

I think we have the smaller one for Willow although im not sure. Crates help with toilet training as they dont like to mess near to where they sleep but if you get the crate too big the pup may mess in a corner. You could get a bigger one and section it off. We live in a maisonette so like you not a huge amount of room, the crate is in our room. We no longer leave her in the crate in the day when we go out, she has the run of the lounge and has done since she was about 7 months, we like her being in the crate to sleep at night though as we go camping a lot and then her sleeping environment doesnt change where ever we go over night.

[AnnieLou]

we have the smaller crate, but she only sleeps at night in there. Our kitchen is cold but she has a hot water bottle and I wrap the cage in a blanket, to create the den feel and she is happy in there. Polly seems quite large for a worker (the ones at Puppy class are older and much smaller) but she has plenty of room and no accidents in the crate (just the house!!).
we also got the smallest crate for the car, but she doesnt go more than 3 miles in there.
You will spend a small fortune  but can't help it...

[Joules]

Coco had a largeish crate which was fine as she grew - she slept in there until she was about a year old.  However when she was a tiny pup I put an upturned box in there to reduce the space.  She had a cardboard box with blankets/towels (she chewed everything!) and a pee pad in there.  They like it to be more like a cosy den and I found she settled much better when I put a blanket over it too. 

Some people on here sleep downstairs with their pup when they first arrive rather than have it in the bedroom so the pup is comforted and settles better.  It is scary for them being away from their mum and siblings for the first time    It is good to start as you mean to go on but you can also have the crate in your room and then, when your pup is bigger move it out.  Some people find it is difficult to do this in one go so gradually move the crate - eg outside the bedroom, door open, then door closed and then further away etc etc until the crate is where you want it to be long term 

Good luck with your pup and welcome to COL.  Tell us more about your pup - boy or girl/colour and have you decided on a name yet?  Oh, and photos are a must 

Be warned, it is addictive - it was a lifesaver for me when I got Coco as she was my first dog and I had no clue what I was letting myself in for 

[Weewascal]

Thanks so much everyone, we are in that excited, nervious place right now before the pup arrives so to be even half way prepared would be fantastic...!

[Evadee]

We started off with the Savic medium crate (61 cm) but found it got too small for Tia height and length, got her the intermediate (76cm) one.  Jake our new pup now has the medium one but will definitely need the intermediate in a few more months.

The intermediate one 76 x 53 x 61 is a lovely size.

[Weewascal]

Thank you Evadee, we thinking the bigger the better so a 30''+ is what we will concentrate our efforts on    looking at. : )

[Weewascal]

O and we have called him Bailey, he is mostly black with a few wee white patches. Gorgeous pretty much sums him up...

[Evadee]

aw     we need to see pictures when you have him home, he sounds beautiful