rescue puppy w/ JR mom

Question
Hi Carol,

I adopted a puppy (Patch) from a rescue organization that is run by one woman. The puppy's mom is a Jack Russell; father is unknown but Patch has black and tan colors like a beagle.

I am worried that he was not 8 weeks when we took him. The woman said he was 8 weeks but our vet thought he looked 6 weeks until she looked in his mouth. Based on his teeth, the vet said he might be 7 weeks.

What can we do to counteract Patch leaving his mom and litter too early? He has bursts of energy during which he'll play (mostly trying to jump and bite everything except his toys.) We have his toys in hand and put them in his mouth. He eventually will start biting his toys and then falls asleep in our arms (either I or one of my kids.)

He will sleep happily in our arms but cries in his crate.

Any thoughts or advice?

Many thanks,
Molly

Answer
Hi Molly,
There's not too much you can do to counteract the puppy leaving his mom too early. He's already been weaned from her breast milk and taken away from his siblings - but it's sweet of you to want to.
He's crying in the crate because he loves people and socialization. Unless you want a spoiled dog, you have to let him cry it out, I promise at this age, it won't go on for too long before he falls asleep. Make the crate a GREAT place for him to be. Lots of chew toys, and if he's awake, give him a reward (bite of cheese or something) EVERY time you put him in there, so he starts to figure out, Hey! This is great! I get a treat everytime she puts me in here.
Leave the crate door open during the day so he can go in and come out as he pleases; but at night, you should be locking him in. I put a blanket over my crates at night so the pup knows it's night/quiet time now. If he cries endlessly during the night, take him outside to pee but don't talk or cuddle or kiss him. Absolutely "business only" and then right back in the crate so eventually he will figure out, geez she's not playing with me when I cry, it's not worth it to cry just to be put outside for a second.....
This training usually takes about a month for the little puppies to grasp, but don't EVER deviate and you will have a crate friendly pup. Good luck!!