| Adding new pup and crate question
Hello! Everyone's been so helpful in the past on this site, I'm trying my luck again! We currently have a 15 month old lab mix who is very well trained and a very good dog and we'd like to welcome another puppy into the family this spring. The question is regarding crates. Our current dog loves his crate (sleeps in it with the door open all night, readily goes in when we leave the house), but we never intended to use it forever. I'm going to start leaving for a short amount of time and building length so he's able to stay out of the crate, but I plan to leave that area "his" where his crate is (and add a bed). The question is what to do with planning for the new pup? I feel like we're dealing with toddlers and a new baby! We have two crates, but we'd rather only have one-suggestions on whether to move current dog out of his crate now, or wait until the puppy is old enough to be left alone, etc.? I love crate training--it works so well, although I think my current dog doesn't have any intent on being away from his crate. Are we destined to be a two crate family, or should we "wean" him from being locked up while still providing him a "den" in his current crate placement? Any suggestions or experiences are welcome. Thanks! | 
