may I ask why she has to stay in a crate in the first place? I hope you know I don't want to offend you. Crates are just very unusual for me to see as no one I know here in Europe uses those. Would love to hear more about it

We ended up not using the crate as she didn't like it at all, although many dog trainers say it is a comforting space for young pups as they acclimatise to a new environment. Our pup has sight issues, she has cataracts and other things going on, which we knew about when we chose her. As she has grown her sight area has got bigger, but as a pup she had limited sight so being in a crate in a new environment, while we were asleep, seemed the safe option for her. Plus we have other animals in the house, and it took time for them all to become accustomed to each other.@@muece

I am in England and quite a lot of people use them here. @@muece

​@muece3466 Crates provide a sense of security and safety for dogs, so training them to love a crate is both natural and extremely helpful for their anxiety and general demeanor. In the wild, dogs live in dens, so while they are domesticated they still have the instinct to have a safe, secure "home" within a house that is theirs and theirs alone. This makes them feel secure and less likely to chew, bark, and misbehave in general while fulfilling their instinctual and mental needs. Many dogs can become nervous and insecure without safe, designated areas and gentle but firm leadership. Dogs really need boundaries and guidance, especially ones that love to please like a golden :-)

Oh and another point: many people in the US rush into crate training and make it both miserable and confusing for the dog. The dogs want a safe place, but don't understand the crate will be their safe place at first, which is why you have to train them. Many people don't, resulting in the dog barking and crying, tearing up the crate, and making a bad name for crates. They are amazing tools (not 100% necessary but so helpful to you and the dog both). It also provides a safe and comfortable place for dogs when they need to be out of the way for safety reasons, like moving out of a house or apartment :-)

If they do not to the blanket up I recommend leaving a blanket and stuffed animal for them to cuddle up. It is a very big adjustment for a puppy to go into a empty crate when they are used to sleeping with their litter mates. Ideally the breeder you get your puppy from will send home a blanket and or stuffed animal that the litter has used so it smells familiar.

Great suggestion!

Yes I'm planning on a day in the life video! Thank you for the suggestion!

I love the scriptures, too!

Hi and thank you for your comment! I love to learn what they do overseas! It's very normal for dogs in America to use a kennel as their safe place or bedroom. It's somewhere we can put the dog or puppy and not have to worry about them getting into something that could harm them. Most American families have jobs outside the home and so they will be gone for a few hours leaving the puppy. There are a couple reasons I recommend crate training. First. As I said, it is very normal in the US so I want to make sure my puppies have a positive experience and are comfortable should they ever have to be in a crate as an adult. Secondly, as I mentioned it keeps them safe and prevents them from getting into trouble. And thirdly, it can prevent separation anxiety if used correctly.