Hates her Pen

[Laila Star]

Hello- Our issue is during the day. Laila is 10 weeks old and hates her pen that we have her in. We are trying paper training in her pen, and I can't tell by the end of the day if she is using the paper or not. She seems to track it all over the pen and rip up all of the paper by the end of the day when are gone at work. I tried one of those potty pads, she ripped that up and took apart the holder also. I have tried shrinking the size of the pen but she just does the same thing. Should we be trying a bathroom or laundry room instead? We are gone from 6 till 4 and we don't have anybody to stop by and simpliy can't afford a dog sitter Does anybody have any success ideas for paper training similar to our situation? She does really well when we are home and at night about letting her out. TIA

 

[Jan]

10 hours is really too long to leave a puppy in a crate. I would definitely try the bathroom, the laundry room or even the kitchen. I would use a baby gate or two rather than shutting the door. He may still track it all over the place.

You may find "Before You Get Your Puppy" by Ian Dunbar useful. You can download it for free from www.openpaw.com

Good luck

 

[jimmyjones]

I'm assuming by 'pen' you mean like the square or hectagonal playpens right ? A large enough space for bed, paper and floor room for playing ? If so would this be similar to using a laundry room, bathroom etc ?

Has your pup had it's injections so that it can go out for a walk before you leave for work ? Early start I know, but it may ease some of the pup's frustrations, though 10 hours is still a long time...

Can one of you return home for lunch or take it in turns ? Would a neighbour help out by popping in for you during the day ? Is there a local dog walking service ? Does your vet have any idea's for people who may help out, I know some of the girls at the local pound help out in such situations where I live, they are doing canine behaviour courses and enjoy the opportunity to build a rapport with a pup slightly longer term and practise their techniques. You could try a post on this site..I've seen dog sitters advertise availability here...there may be someone nearby able to help you a little...there are lots of good people out there who would assist I'm sure, it's just finding them ! It doesn't have to cost you a fortune, someone giving up a little time to visit during the day to let the dog out and play a little would help..i leave the radio on when I go out for longer than a couple of hours for the sound of human voices and my teenage niece pops by at weekends (16 yrs old, I think she raids the cupboards puts on a dvd and lounges with the dog for an hour - much valued 'space') .

Good Luck

Jaycee x

 

[Laila Star]

Unfortuanly we live in a very rural area. Nearest neighbor is a couple miles down the road and they work. She has been doing a little better in her pen area yesterday she went on her potty pad but then tracked it around the pen area. But at least she went on the pad!! Now how to keep them from tracking it around...I thought they didn't like that? Any ideas?

 

[Laila Star]

You never stated how large this pen was that you are keeping Laila in for the 10 hours while you are at work? I know you said the nearest neighbor is a couple miles away but you did not answer as far as if it is possible for you to come home at lunch?

Sorry did not say.....we work 35 minutes away. And the pen is roughly 8x4. We had it set up like a large octagon, but I read somewhere that I should try shrinking the pen down. She seemed a little more confortable after that.