The only thing i would have to say about the crate training is, if either decides that they just cant wait and pees in the crate...you wont know who did it...and if one starts a bad trend, you might have 2 that are harder to train, instead of 1...Swissies (the breed i have) can be hard to potty train, as i am learning...but all breeds are different...so what kind of breed??...i suppose size would matter too, as far as how big they will get in this crate...

The pro side to both being in the crate, is they would keep each other company. But i am no expert, just my two cents worth to offer!!

As far as them being taken away from the mother before 8 weeks...it isnt advisable. They need that time with their mother. My puppy went to puppy kindergarten and a puppy in his class was having some real behavioral problems and the trainers believed that some of it stemmed from being taken from the mother at 6 weeks...b/c she wasnt there to correct the dog, when it over stepped its boundries...