A CRATE and EXERCISE PEN

As a new Labrador pup owner, an extra large metal crate and a 600mm high exercise / puppy pen is one of the best investments that you can make. Remember that for the first 24 weeks of your pups life they will sleep up to 16 hrs a day. While allowing for a proper bonding process, your should not be afraid to put your pup in the exercise pen with the crate attached. Attaching a 600mm 'EXERCISE PEN' to the crate will form a kind of courtyard for your pup. I place ‘corrugated paper’ from suppliers like Officeworks or Bunnings over the floor area of the exercise pen floor. One 50m x 1200mm roll will be sufficient to see your puppy through this first stage.

There will be no need to close the crate door if the exercise pen is attached with cable ties or carabiners. Cover 3 sides and the top of the crate making a kind of cosy den. Leave the front without a cover / visual barrier. And don't be intimidated by the pup screaming. They must learn to be alone.

And your new pup needs a place of their own to hide away and recharge.
I recommend a extra large crate as a lifetime investment. Placing a fitted cover or blanket over the crate will turn it into a 'den'. If you crate train your pup, your will have no trouble taking your mature dog with you to new places. They will happily sleep in their crate wherever you go.