Crate Training a new Puppy!

DH and I got a new puppy on Friday. We had been thinking about it for a while, but it was a split decision when a situation came up. He is absolutely adorable. Apparently he is called a Peek-a-boo (half Bichon Frise and Half Pekingese).
Anyway...we are in the process of crate training him (so hard ) and I had to leave him in the crate this morning when i went to work, for the past two nights he has done really well all things considered in the crate and I take him about every 4 hours so he can go to the bathroom.
We already have another dog who is 6 years old who is not crated during the day and I was wondering something -

Our bedroom is on the second floor of the house and that is where we have been crating him at night (next to our bed)
Should I get another crate so that I can crate him during the day downstairs or is it okay to leave him upstairs during the day?

I work right down the street from my house so I go home on my lunch break to take out the dogs so he would only be in the crate at most 4 hours at any one time.

Thanks in advance!

ETA: OR should I just forget about Crate training him when I am gone and leave him gate in the kitchen instead...

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Message edited 7/19/2010 10:14:58 AM.

Re: Crate Training a new Puppy!

Bump...No one has any crate training advice they can give me?

Re: Crate Training a new Puppy!

its okay if you leave your dog upstairs or downstairs. I dont think it would matter but if you're trying to train your dog to go outside I would leave the dog in the crate until it has successfully went outside without any accidents. Once your dog gets the hang of it you can bring the crate into the kitchen, leave the crate open and have your dog roam the kitchen, if your dog has an accident start the process over again where you close the door and wait a couple of days and when your dog is able to hold it in until you come home and can give it free rein of the house.


I hope that helps.

Re: Crate Training a new Puppy!