Tips for reintroducing crate at night for adult dog?

Tips for reintroducing crate at night for adult dog?

Tips for reintroducing crate at night for adult dog?

I have a 3 year old American Eskimo who was fully crate trained at night. Every night around 10:30–11pm I’d say “bedtime,” he’d go into his crate next to my bed, get a treat, I’d cover it, and in the morning I’d open it and leave it open all day.

About a year ago I moved and couldn’t fit the crate in my bedroom, so I stopped crating at night. He’s been free roaming since then and usually sleeps under the bed or on it with me.

Now I’m about to have a baby (any day now), so I bought a new crate to reintroduce nighttime crating. Because of the bassinet, the crate can’t go in my bedroom, so I put it in the room directly across. I’ve had the crate for 2 days and have been giving him treats in it. Tonight I said “bedtime” and he went in on his own, but I left the door open to ease him back into it.

I want to try again at 11pm and actually close the crate.

My concern is making sure he doesn’t feel isolated or stressed, especially with such a big change coming. I set up a camera to monitor him in case he cries.

Am I reintroducing this the right way? Any tips to make this transition as stress-free as possible for him?