Is this safe?

Question

We of course won't be able to do this forever because the new puppy will eventually be bigger than my dog, but..

My cocker spaniel gets crated at night- he's about a year and a half old. We recently adopted another puppy- a border collie/husky mix. The cocker spaniel is very much happy with his new baby "sister" and she crawls in his crate with him at night to sleep (I think he's become sort of a psuedo-mommy). She has her own crate, buts he whines so much when crated alone, and enjoys sleeping with him.

Is it okay to do this for a little while until she adjusts to her new home? Or should we force her to sleep in a crate by herself?

The cocker is fixed. The border collie mix is only about 8 weeks old, but we plan to fix her when she's old enough.

Answer 1

There's no harm in letting them sleep together. It's a good way for them to bond and neither of them is in any danger unless you see them being aggressive. If that happens then they should definitely sleep apart, but for now...sounds like everyone is happy with the current situation.

Answer 2

As some of the other people have said this is a good way for them to bond, however you don't want them bonding with each other rather than with you. So I would suggest separate crates. As well there may be a time in the future that they need to be separated (because of an illness or some other circumstance) and then you might have a problem.It would be best to deal with it now.

Good luck!

Answer 3

At a young age, a puppy will latch onto something as a surrogate parent. My vet told me to put an old stile alarm clock in the crate with my dog when she was little. They are essentially looking to hear a heart beat (clock) to curl up to for comfort. I would say there would be no problem with the way you are handling it. If anything, they will develop a closer bond and the older one will do a lot of the training for you. Good luck with it......

Answer 4

In a couple of weeks your puppy won't even fit in the little crate anymore and when she is older and more comfortable she will easily transition to the bigger crate.

Answer 5

i have a 96 lb male husky and a50lb female border collie,3 weeks ago i got a 4lb poochi he is 12 weeks old tommorrow and he still cuddles and sleeps with each one of my 2 big dogs.they don't mind him snuggling up with them and it gives the new pup comfort. let them be together and they will grow to be the best of buds. good luck

Answer 6

It wouldn't be physically harmful, but I personally wouldn't want to start a habit that would need to be broken later. Better to make the sleeping arrangements that will be permanent a routine now, in my opinion.

Answer 7

I personally wouldn't let them. They can bond more together and your puppy may become deendant on your other dog and will be harder to train later on. The dog will be bonded more with dogs than people and harder to train. I would separate them more just so it's easier to train later on.

Answer 8

Try putting crates tight against each other. They will be together but separate

Answer 9

What is wrong with their sleeping arrangement ? Dogs are instinctively pack animals, and when they bond, often like to sleep together...let them. I have three yorkies, and the two youngest (a boy and a girl) more often than not sleep together.
It matters not their size....if they want to sleep together, let them.

Answer 10

let them sleep together. but be kinda aware of the activities going on with them. be sure to get her fixed.