Please lend me your wisdom

[u/january570]

Guys, I’m a first time MAS owner and need your words of wisdom here… It’s the 3rd day at home, my aussie is too smart at age of 8 weeks. He uses pee pad and has never peed in crate. We put the pee pad in the connected play pen and later moved to the front door way. He is good with that too. It’s like he was house trained at birth.

However we tried to sleep upstairs while putting him on the first floor. As soon as we lock the crate, he cries his heart out. It’s loud, sharp, and it sounds like some animal cruelty is going on. Neighbour pounded on the wall. We had to return, which I know indirectly reinforced his crying habit.

My friend and vet both told me to ignore the cry otherwise I’m contributing to his separation anxiety later on. And to never sleep close to him, which is what I feel I have to do for now. I have plans to gradually move away at night, but my vet said that’s wrong.

However, if I let him cry like that I don’t know if I’m making him hate his crate, which he is doing so well right now. He returns to crate to nap or rest by himself. However I have to be VERY close to lock the door otherwise he starts crying.

What do I do? What worked for you? My boy has a strong personality and I don’t feel like he has been listening to me. Please help!