I just brought home our precious 7 week old puppy 5 days ago and she is doing awesome! Let me give a little background before I pose my question. Everything is going well, including the potty training and we have learned sit & down with clicker training with about 90% accuracy during training sessions. She even makes it 6 hours through the night without waking up to pee. We have only had 2 accidents so far in the home and I take her outside on her lead leash every 2 hours during the day. Here is my question: We have a canvas style fold up "portable" play pen that I have used this week for her naps and a place to put her for safe keeping inbetween play times and training when I can't have my eye on her. It sits inbetween the kitchen and family rooms where most of our home's activity is. We have moved that into our bedroom each night where she sleeps contently. Today, I introduced her to the traditional style kennel, which will stay in our bedroom and will be used for night time crating and eventually as a safe haven when we leave the house for short periods. She entered the crate easily with a treat lure, played in there for a few minutes with her chew toy but kept coming out after being gently nudged back in. After she fell asleep on my lap (only 5 mintues later after the "in/out" game), I placed her in the crate where she slept for her a.m. nap for its duration with the cage door open. Can I leave the "portable pen" in it's area by the kitchen during the day and use the "kennel" for crating at night, or will this only confuse her at this age? The bedroom is on the first floor, near the family room area. She is very smart and I expect her to associate the kennel with napping, however I don't want to confuse her during this learning time. We are going to attempt night time crating this evening. Advice appreciated or hearing experienced from othes who have kept a separate crate for bed time and a separate one for a play pen. Thanks in advance![email protected]
Last edited:
