We are getting a cocker spaniel puppy in a few weeks time. Our situation is this...
We recently lost our 14 year old cocker and still have a young natured 10 year old collie cross.
As dementia set in with our old cocker and many restless nights we ended up moving both girls up to our bedroom to sleep and the collie still sleeps with us.
We are thinking with  the puppy we would put her in a crate to keep her away from the collie. However our bedroom really isn't big enough for this...
I'm not sure how returning both dogs to the kitchen would work out either...as collie been used to being with us for last 6 months. But I feel mean having her up with us and the pup downstairs.
Also (not had a puppy in 14 years as collie a rescue) I've never crated a dog before...would it be best to put the crate in a play pen with the door open (of the crate)?
Any advice most gratefully received.
Thank you.

If there's really not enough room for a small crate in your bedroom, could you put one on the landing outside your bedroom? You'd be more likely to hear when the pup needs to go out, too. didn't used to like crates but I now bellieve that they are useful inso many different situations.  My current 2 like their spaces and choose to go in them - especially when I'm too restless and disturb their sleep   It's good to keep them happy with a crate in case they need to stay in vets etc

Don't feel too bad about having them sleep in separate places; one of my pups slept in the living room for quite some time whilst my others were in the bedroom. They just get into whatever routine you set and work on.

Mmm difficult.   I'd always crate a puppy overnight, and during the day when it's not possible to supervise what's going on, at least initially.  You will have to get up to take the puppy out once during the night at first so having the crate up with you would make this easier.  However, if you really can't accommodate a small crate alongside your bed, then I'd have both of them downstairs, but still use the crate for the puppy unless the puppy isn't happy being away from YOU, never mind your other dog.   I'd not use a playpen + crate.  The covered crate makes a nice den for a puppy, which a playpen doesn't and there's always the risk of the puppy climbing out!!

I guess what you do has to depend on what works best for both your dogs!!   'Suck it and see'.

Thank you.
Do you advise a larger crate then in case puppy wants to wee in between me getting up with her - so she doesn't wee on or in or by her bed?
Could possibly put crate in ensuit bathroom and Honey in her usual bed with us.
Could put crate with puppy in kitchen and a Honey up with us
OR could put crate in kitchen with a Honey in kitchen but kitchen door open so Honey could come upstairs if she wants...
Crate could be covered for bedtime...

So now...my thinking is ...I probably need to get a bigger crate...

And in said crate ...would I put a pad down for accidents..?

Just a word about cages. Over the last few years the price of cages has come down considerably. However, so has the quality. Make sure that any cage you buy is very well built and as sturdy/strong as you can afford. Pay special attention to the joints and the parts where they dog may try to escape from. If they are weak/flimsy in any way, do not buy that cage. A flimsy cage can be very dangerous, if the dog manages to get a paw or even its head through a gap. I would also advise against leaving a collar on a caged dog. Hope this helps. Enjoy your puppy

Thank you. I haven't bought one for over 14 years so any advice most gratefully received

Of metal crates I like the "Dog Life" ones, I think they are good quality and good price. They are sturdy and I particularly like the thick plastic tray. Wilkos do medium, large and xlarge sizes, and small can be bought at shows.

http://www.wilko.com/dog-crates+cages/dog-life-dog-crate-double-door-black-medium/invt/0313599

I think your collie should stay in the bedroom with you as she is used to that and she deserves not to be moved back to the kitchen when you get the puppy. The older dog may well appreciate time alone from the young one. I would not put the puppy in a cage but I would not put any dog in a cage. I have raised 24 dogs over the years and never caged one. I shall be shouted down but I HATE the things. How do you think we managed before this idea came here from America?

Point taken.
I think the plan is to put the dogs in the ensuite as we don't use it and there is nothing to spoil in there with the door open. The collie sleeps just on the other side of it now so we will only be moving her bed a foot or so further away.
Also do think we will crate the puppy as although the collie has a lovely nature she is older and probably wouldn't welcome the pestering.

I found that giving older dog some space /time away from pup helped to make their relationship. Also, pups need lots of sleep but can become overexcited, just like human toddlers and need persuading to have a nap. It gives you time and space to interact with each of them individually and could help prevent separation anxiety (in terms of dog separation) and  thinking ahead in case one dog needs to be hospitalised

Re use of crates, or not.   The first time we saw crates being used was indeed out in N.America at shows.  There were virtually no benched shows at that time (there may be now?) so people used crates.   So we bought a couple.   Over the years, we had only used them for shows/travelling in the car as we had a puppy pen in our homes.   As our numbers increased, we did use them for some of our hounds, at night.  However, much as they are not for some, and I hate the apparent 'crate abuse' that's going on (dogs spending way too much time in a crate) they are a valuable aid for puppies when they can't be supervised, to keep them out of mischief and danger.  We have never had any problems with getting our hounds used to being crated - in fact the two we have now are crated overnight and 'line up' to go in them last thing.

I'd never crate a puppy during the day for longer than 2 hours, and if needed at all, adults no longer than 4 hours, other than overnight.

I hope you, OP, can sort out what works best for your two!

Thank you! Things are starting to come together