Since Daisy is only ten weeks old, her internal clock is still putting itself together practically. With remarkably similar determination, she moves toward warmth and familiarity each time, exploring boldly during the day, napping lightly, and acting as if sleep were a group activity rather than a solo task at night.
Her crate is positioned near the bed, neatly organized, and obviously meant to be a peaceful place to sleep. Daisy, however, treats it less like a den and more like a suggestion when the lights go down. She leaves the house quietly and curls up next to shoes, furniture, or the closest person with a surprising amount of purposeful confidence.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Puppy name | Daisy |
| Breed | F1b Goldendoodle (Golden Retriever lineage) |
| Age | 10 weeks |
| Current sleep setup | Crate placed near bed, door unlocked, baby gate surrounding |
| Core issue | Resists sleeping in crate, wakes frequently, seeks proximity |
| Common pattern | Sleeps better near people or older dog than alone in crate |
| Broader relevance | Typical adjustment behavior in very young puppies |
Although behavior experts characterize this behavior as proximity-seeking rather than disobedience, it is frequently interpreted as resistance. Even though it is extremely inconvenient, puppies’ neurological tuning at this age causes them to instinctively react to separation with alertness rather than rest, which is an evolutionary sound response.
Crate training has gained popularity over the last ten years and is commended for being especially helpful in establishing routine and safety. However, at eight or ten weeks, many puppies just do not have the emotional maturity that the method assumes.
Daisy gets up at one in the morning to go outside, and then she gets up again before dawn, as if she’s decided that morning has come early. Despite having good daytime habits, each wake-up feels sudden but is actually consistent with bladder development timelines, which are still significantly reduced at this stage.
These weeks are frequently described by owners as confusing. The clock numbers are blaring, the house is silent, and the puppy, who is alert and bright-eyed, doesn’t seem to realize that sleep is still the objective. Although the pattern itself is remarkably ordinary, the frustration is genuine.
Online, advice is freely exchanged and can range from strict boundaries to complete flexibility. A third group advocates for gradual transitions, comparing progress to moving furniture inch by inch rather than completely rearranging the room in a single night. Some advise closing the crate door right away, while others advise leaving it open for weeks.
Reframing the crate as a daytime habit rather than a nighttime destination tends to be remarkably effective. By incorporating meals, puzzle toys, and brief rest intervals within the crate, the association gradually improves, and comfort is increased through repetition rather than force.
I recall thinking that Daisy was testing whether or not intimacy was still negotiable at that point, rather than rejecting the crate.
Daisy takes quick naps during the day, usually next to someone’s feet, and wakes up as soon as the sound of footsteps stops. Although that hyper-alertness may appear to be independence, it actually represents an attachment system that is still adjusting, especially in response to movement, sound, and absence.
Young puppies may need up to sixteen hours of sleep per day, according to experts, though this sleep frequently comes in spurts. Shallow naps or frequent breaks cause nighttime sleep to become noticeably irregular, creating a seemingly never-ending cycle until patterns start to coincide.
It is often advised to move the crate closer to the bed as a transition rather than a compromise. The reasoning is straightforward and incredibly effective: start with a smaller distance and then progressively increase it once the puppy settles down consistently. This allows confidence to grow before independence is expected.
By using scent memory as an anchor, some owners find success putting a used blanket inside the crate. Others employ calm, consistent speech patterns that reinforce cues through repetition rather than loudness, which is especially creative in its simplicity.
The issue is not with the crate per se. Gently introducing it can make it a very dependable place to rest. Timing is the problem. It is similar to expecting fluency before vocabulary to ask a puppy to self-soothe before they comprehend solitude.
Expectations are further complicated by the presence of an elderly dog. Daisy is naturally drawn to that consistent companion because of their similar breathing patterns and rhythms, which can make the crate seem relatively empty even with careful setup.
Advocates of crate training frequently emphasize consistency, and with good reason, but rigidity is not necessary for consistency. Carefully considered changes can be significantly better versions of the original plan rather than indicators of failure or regression.
Some owners report surprisingly quick progress when they move a sleeping puppy into the crate instead of putting her there awake. The puppy awakens inside the crate, learns to associate it with rest rather than separation, and eventually comes to terms with it as neutral or even preferred.
By associating environments with results rather than instructions, this method is similar to how habits develop elsewhere. Sleep comes first, then location. The order naturally reverses over time.
One should not undervalue the emotional toll on owners. Lack of sleep reduces patience, and at three in the morning, advice given with assurance online can feel especially burdensome. Even though every night seems excessively long, the majority of seasoned trainers stress that these initial weeks fly by.
Daisy’s capacity for independence will grow significantly over the next few months. Her sleep cycles will lengthen, her bladder will mature, and she will develop a very clear understanding of routine that is shaped by repetition rather than correction.
Right now, momentum, not perfection, is what counts most. Every peaceful evening, every silent minute in the crate, and every small tweak adds up to progress in ways that are only apparent after the fact.
The crate eventually changes from a barrier to a choice. Daisy will enter it by herself, make one full circle, and settle down without any fanfare. Even though it was constructed gradually, night by night, it will feel abrupt when that occurs.
For the time being, the approach is straightforward and supportive: maintain age-appropriate expectations, exercise flexibility, and have faith that consistency and empathy are not indulgences but rather preparation.
