My dog sleeps in the closet. Is it normal? What are the best crates?

A crate or crate training is never a bad idea. It can also serve as a safe place for Bella (as you have stated). It doesn't need to be huge either, just big enough for her to lay down, turn around and stand. Make sure there are no sharp edges and that the bars are close enough together so she cannot get her head between them.

It could be that bella has realized if she barks she gets attention from you all. She is barking to get taken outside or even just attention through the night. I would recommend trying to crate train her. This will allow her an area that is safe and only hers. The crate can be a really positive place . You can start off by putting her in it for short intervals and rewarding her going in and coming out. it is important to make the crate a happy place. You could also try just moving her to another room so she is not sleeping with you all.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Bella! Panting and being clingy can be a sign of fear or anxiety. If being left in the crate is unusual then it could be from being crated. If there were thunderstorms or other loud things that happened while you were gone then that could explain her behavior as well. I wouldn't say it is "normal" to act like this but it isn't uncommon to have anxiety from certain things. I would try to work on crate training and desensitizing her towards the crate or loud noises. If she is an older dog and the panting persists or she had effort even when asleep I would have her seen today by a Vet. Good luck!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! What a cute name for your new puppy! If Groot is tired it is not uncommon to go sleep and he feels comfortable and safe under the bed. He isn’t mad at you, just sleepy which is normal for a puppy his age. He will play longer as he gets older. Putting him in the crate after he sleeps is perfect! This is teaching him his crate is his den and a safe place to be. It sounds like you are doing a great job! Kisses to Groot!

It's fine to let Dulce sleep with you at night and put her in a crate during the day at work. One of my dogs had separation anxiety, so I would crate him during the day when I was gone, but he always slept with me at night. He knew the crate was a safe space for him when I was gone. I hope this helps.

What's more important is what you DON'T do. BellaRose is acting like a typical child who doesn't want to go to bed. Once you are sure that all of her needs for the night have been taken care of, put her in there and walk away. Do not scold her for crying, or try to soothe or comfort her. Don't go back to her. And do not let her out of the crate! She is testing you. Ignore the crying completely. Once she realizes that her behavior is not having the desired effect, she will stop. It will probably take a few times for her to get it. Good luck!

I think it's great that Rocky wants to hang out in his crate! This means that his crate is a safe space and that he is comfortable there. It is a little controversial to use the crate for punishment since it could make Rocky anxious when he needs to be confined in the crate for other reasons, but if he goes in voluntarily it's a good sign that he doesn't have a negative association with his crate.