Exciting times - after many months of waiting our breeder finally has a litter of pups and we have "booked" another Labrador Retriever - a little boy. We went to visit and see the litter when they were 5 weeks old and all being well we expect to collect him on Sunday when he will be 8 weeks of age. This is the ideal time for pups to leave their dam and become accustomed to the human world in which they will live.
In order to prepare Big Boy and Little Girl for the new arrival, the dog crate has been brought out, cleaned and is in position. The blanket that will serve as a bed until he stops toileting during the night is inside, as are the puppy toys - but the door is closed. Little Girl loves toys but will easily destroy puppy-sized toys and I don't want her to think that the new pup is being given special treatment so by the time he arrives she will be used to the smell of the toys, and not being able to reach them.
The dog crate is in the utility room, which can be closed off from the rest of the kitchen by a baby gate. Thus puppy can be safely contained where he can see, smell and hear all the hustle and bustle in the kitchen but is safely contained behind his baby gate, out of harm's way. His crate will be partly covered by a towel so that if he feels the need to retreat to a quiet, dark corner on his own, he can do so. He will sleep here until he is toilet trained and can be relied upon not to chew personal belongings or furnishings, at which point he will have access to most of the house same as the other two dogs.
The puppy's food and water bowls are also in place beside the big dogs' bowls, again so that they can become used to the extra bits and pieces before the exuberant little beast arrives to disrupt their lives!
I do not plan to use the crate to restrict the puppy's access to the rest of the house - that it what the baby gate is for. Rather, the crate is to give him a secure 'den' where he can withdraw for peace and quiet if he feels the need. Also, if we decide to visit friends overnight or go on holiday before he can be trusted not to chew things, he can be locked in the crate on those occasions without causing him too much upset, whilst keeping our hosts happy!
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