Our puppy will only sleep in her crate

135 Views 4 Replies 3 Participants Last post by Esme1221, 2 h ago

Esme1221

Discussion Starter · 7 d ago

Hi there!

Our seven-month-old Boxer-mix, Esme, can't seem to fall asleep unless she is in her crate. We take her to the dog park every morning so she can run around (sadly, she is often the only dog there) and for a big hike in the afternoon. She will lay on the floor or on her chair for a period of time, but even when she's exhausted, she never falls asleep. Her night-time crate (aka "the palace") is in our bedroom. This other (smaller) crate is in the living room, and we've tried leaving it open so that she can go in if she likes. The problem is that when she gets over-tired, she starts acting up (biting shoes, jumping up, being relentlessly obnoxious) until we end up putting her in the crate (where she seems to want to go...she runs over to it). I just want her to be part of the family. Any ideas about ways to keep her out with us? She's taking three or more naps a day in there. She has plenty of toys and chews.

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CachetheBC

· #2 · 7 d ago

At 7 months old, and still very a much a puppy, they are still growing/developing and 'data processing' so much information about the world and how they fit into it, and how to interact with it, which is very energy consuming, so it is quite normal (and necessary) for them to sleep several times a day. If she prefers to nap in the crate, where she feels comfortable and safe, and is less likely to be disturbed - I would suggest let her sleep there and it may be that when she matures, she will choose to sleep elsewhere.

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Esme1221

Discussion Starter · #3 · 7 d ago

CachetheBC said:
At 7 months old, and still very a much a puppy, they are still growing/developing and 'data processing' so much information about the world and how they fit into it, and how to interact with it, which is very energy consuming, so it is quite normal (and necessary) for them to sleep several times a day. If she prefers to nap in the crate, where she feels comfortable and safe, and is less likely to be disturbed - I would suggest let her sleep there and it may be that when she matures, she will choose to sleep elsewhere.

Thank you!

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krate

· #4 · 5 h ago

CachetheBC said:
At 7 months old, and still very a much a puppy, they are still growing/developing and 'data processing' so much information about the world and how they fit into it, and how to interact with it, which is very energy consuming, so it is quite normal (and necessary) for them to sleep several times a day. If she prefers to nap in the crate, where she feels comfortable and safe, and is less likely to be disturbed - I would suggest let her sleep there and it may be that when she matures, she will choose to sleep elsewhere.

I also think that it is better to let your dog sleep where she feels comfortable. I'm sure she will change the place when she gets older. Our Cane Corso was the same. She ended up growing too big to sleep in her crate

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Esme1221

Discussion Starter · #5 · 2 h ago

krate said:
I also think that it is better to let your dog sleep where she feels comfortable. I'm sure she will change the place when she gets older. Our Cane Corso was the same. She ended up growing too big to sleep in her crate

Haha! Esme is a big girl and has her old crate in the living room and her "palace" in our bedroom. She can barely fit in the old crate, but she still naps in there (for now). Thanks. I feel so much better hearing that she isn't the only dog who sleeps exclusively in her crate. I met a woman at the dog park whose dog will only sleep ON HER. She can't get anything done!

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