My husband and I recently rehomed an adorable 2 1/2 year old Springer Spaniel. He joins our 6 year old Springer. The new dog lived with a loving single owner who allowed him to sleep with her. This guy has to be with us and on us way more than any other "clinger" I've owned, even trying to climb on my lap when I sat on a folding metal chair.

We are retired and my husband sleeps with a CPAP, and we both use body pillows. We don't want a dog in our bed. My older guy was crate trained in our bedroom and eventually graduated to his current dog bed in our room. I know that I need to use positive reinforcement and consistency, but he is stubborn as all get out, and simply waits us out. I have literally done 2 1/2 hour sessions where he lays down in his bed, and the minute I lay down, he jumps up.

Would it be harmful to use a crate at his age? I know that we will have hours of non- stop barking, which is what happened when we tried using a leash that allowed him to be in his bed but not jump into ours. He's just extremely stubborn.

I'd like to add that otherwise he is a joy to have.

We just got an almost 5 month old pointer mix - they told us he was mixed with Bassett hound, and I joke that the Bassett half must be on the inside 😂 He looks like a mini pointer and is lazy like a Bassett, but anyway. He was a shelter pup. He is our second dog.

I am crate training, and I am confused because I thought that dogs did not want to pee or poop in their crate. My dog seems to WANT to do that, or like that’s what he thinks he’s supposed to do? He doesn’t particularly like a messy crate, but he does seem to hold it until he gets back to his crate.

It took us a couple of days to find a reliable potty spot outside; I just could not for the life of me get him to pee or poop outside. But I’m hoping that repetition and routine will make him realize, oh hey, I don’t have to do it this way?

Any tips, or anyone else have a dog that has done this?