I have a 10 week old miniature poodle beagle mix. She is a very smart girl and learning fast. Only thing I am worried about is the crate training.
Her crate is right beside my bed at the moment so nights are easier but when I leave for work she cries. I’ve only had to go to work 5 times since I brought her home (because of weekends and days off) and yesterday was her first dry day in the crate while I was at work. I take her crate blanket away while I am at work to help prevent accidents.
I work from 6:45am-3 or 4pm Monday to Friday. I try and keep the same routine on the weekends so she gets used to it Our average day:
4:20am-6:30am: wake up and go potty. Give her water and she waits for me to make coffee. Then I give her breakfast in her crate. Then potty again.
We sit in the living room while I drink coffee and play a little.
I need to start getting ready for my work day and she’ll follow me around as I do so. I take her out when I think she needs to go as I get ready.
When I’m done getting ready we play some more and for her last potty break before I crate her we walk around the yard for 10 minutes if she’s willing to.
6:30 she goes in her crate for “nap time”
9:45am- I come home and let her out to potty. 5-10 minute walk or play in the living room for a few minutes depending on what she wants to do.
10:10am she goes back in the crate
1pm- I come home and do the potty break again
1:20pm- she goes back in the crate
I get home between 3-4pm and let her out immediately
5pm- training (I train her with her food) and dinner (always in her crate)
6pm- she goes for a nap
7pm-8:30pm- we go potty right when she comes out
8:30- is bed time.
She gets up a couple times a night to pee which I am okay with but sometimes she does not want to settle after being out(I will lay next to her for comfort) Potty time at night is very boring, no cuddles, no treats, no talking, just getting up to go outside and right back in her crate.
When I am home on weekends I lay in bed while she takes her 6:30-9:45, 10:10-1pm, 1:20-3 or 4 naps.
For her 6-7pm nap I try and make her do it on her own everyday.
She cries worse in her crate when I am home and can hear me moving around. While I am at work I play anti puppy anxiety music for her too.
Am I taking the right approach to this?
She is doing very well given her age. I think she’s starting to get used to things and is learning to be okay with this routine but I just feel so stressed and don’t want to mess things up.
submitted by /u/Few-Lunch8680
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