Crating Two Spaniel Puppies From Same Litter

Litter-mates are a lovely combination but they do need to be crated separately — this is one of the clearest cases where individual crates make a real difference. Crate size is the most important factor: too small causes distress, too large removes the den-like security that makes crates work. Material-wise, wire crates are usually best for home use because the visibility keeps puppies calm without letting them feel isolated. Before I point you to a specific option, a couple of quick questions: are your Spaniels Cocker or Springer, and is the crating mainly for overnight sleeping, short daytime periods, or both?

Your instinct to question the shared crate is exactly right. Sharing a crate at this age feels cosy but it actually delays each puppy learning to self-settle, and it accelerates littermate syndrome — where they become so dependent on each other that separation later becomes genuinely distressing. For 9-week Cockers used day and night, you want each puppy in their own crate from the start. Are they being kept in the same room as each other and as you at night, or are you planning to put them in a separate space?

That's a sensible plan and placing the crates next to each other initially is fine — they'll still smell and hear each other, which helps. Just make sure you can gradually create a little distance between them over the following weeks so they're not entirely reliant on that proximity. For adult Cocker Spaniels you'd normally use a medium crate around 76cm, but at 9 weeks with dividers you can start smaller and expand as they grow. The MidWest Homes for Pets iCrate is my recommendation here — it comes with a divider panel so you buy one crate that grows with the puppy, the fold-flat design makes the bedroom-to-kitchen move easy, and the dual-door setup gives you flexibility on placement. You'll need two of them. They're consistently well-reviewed for Spaniels specifically.

Yes — covering three sides with a blanket or a purpose-made crate cover genuinely helps. It reinforces the den feel and blocks out visual distractions. Leave the door-side open so they don't feel trapped and still have some visual access to the room. At 9 weeks expect a couple of unsettled nights regardless; the key is not rushing to them the moment they whimper, otherwise you're training them that noise gets a response. Consistent, calm, brief reassurance if needed — then back to settling. You're setting both puppies up well by doing this right from the start.

Good call. Two medium MidWest iCrates with the dividers in and crates side by side to start — you've got a solid setup. The divider means you're not buying again in four months when they've grown into their adult size. Good luck with both of them; the first two weeks are the hardest and then it clicks.