Hi! I just got my first puppy today! (Cocker Spaniel) I am a little troubled about how to go about crating her overnight for bed. I was given "pee pads" from the clinic and not sure if I should put them in her crate over night with her in case she has an accident but then I am worried she won't go to sleep if she finds herself having an accident in her crate. Help! Also- Should I place the crate next to my bed when she goes to sleep? Pet's info: Dog | Cocker Spaniel | Female | spayed | 2 months and 15 days old | 15 lbs

Congrats on your new puppy! Lilly's crate size should be big enough that she can turn around and lie down in it, but prevent her from going to the bathroom in it. If the space isn't too big, she will not go to the bathroom in it because she won't want to lay down in her own mess. I wouldn't put the pee pee pads in there, as you don't want her to learn to go to the bathroom where she sleeps. Given that she is so young, I would wake up at least once or twice in the night to let her out to potty. If you put the crate next to your bed, she will whine and cry all night to be let out, and you won't get any sleep. I would recommend keeping the crate in another room that is quiet and dark.

This is typical puppy behavior. Make sure you continue to tell her to go "potty" or whatever word you prefer to use. Also if you catch her in the act of peeing somewhere else then tell her "no" in a stern voice and redirect her to the pad and say "potty" again. Sometimes they have already gone to the bathroom but this helps to reiterate where she is suppose to be going to the bathroom. Also, when you aren't with her I would put her in a crate if she tolerates it to help teach her to hold it. Most dogs don't want to pee/poop where they sleep. The crate should be only big enough for her to stand and turn around. If it is too big they will pee/poop on one end and sleep on the other. She will get there - just try to remember that she is young and still learning. Plus things will get easier when your vet says it is ok for her to go outside. I hope this helps!

With her age and size, she should be getting close. I would make sure to not put water in her crate and also make sure you aren't giving her water within an hour of having to put her in her crate. This give her time to process any water that she may drink. Also, make sure she isn't in too large of a crate. If it is too big they will pee/poop on one side and sleep on the other. Finally, if there are blankets in the crate, you may want to try taking them out. With blankets/towels, it soaks up their urine, so they don't feel the wetness of the urine like they normally would. If she continues, you may want to have your vet take a look at her urine to ensure she doesn't have an urinary tract infection which could make it hard for her to hold it that long. I hope this helps!