The subject of Pens and how to use has been a hot topic over the last few weeks at Nutley. I have come to a conclusion. That some people like them and some people not so keen- so hence a bit like the yeast spread “Marmite”
So i am diving in at the deep end . Why do i use them and why do i recommend them is probably the question you are getting to as you reading his blog. Well i am going to start with how i have seen the benefits and then you can make your choices from reading the information below
From day 1 with each of our dogs we have used a Pen. We have 1 for the garden and 1 in the house. We have dog visitors and we are a multi dog household so it has been part of the social set up for us as a multdog household.
The pens generally have a bed ,toys, water bowl attached to the wall of the pen . Initially we put the puppies crate in the pen and toileting pads/ newspaper. Later on, the crate and pads/ paper come out.
When I start with a puppy in the pen- the pup has their meals in the pen. Partly to make it a special place where their food happens and also because it protects them from the larger dogs when feeding. Also it means their meal is not interrupted. I join the pup in the pen for the meal and encourage them to eat the food should they need any encouragement. e,g scatter feeding or hand feeding
Bed wise -I ask for something from the breeder to bring home with me that smells of mum. So the pup has that on their bed.. In this case a crate. ( this blog isnt about crates – however I always introduce my dogs to a crate at an early age so that they have that as part of their life experience )
The first few nights i sleep next to the pup when they are in their pen and crate. Sometimes I join them in the crate area. This is all about making those first few nights as safe and as supportive experience for them. The pup has been taken from their family at 8 weeks old. This is for many dogs the beginning of their first fear period and therefore they can be very vulnerable. My job passion is to reduce anxiety as much as I can and make those first few days as welcoming as possible.
We have a radio playing with classic fm on – yes my dogs have a good knowledge of the classics. Book at beditme comes on as well or a story podcast .
The hall light is on as well so there is a shadow of light in the kitchen
Toileting is done always away from the bedroom area. So easy to clean up .Most dogs dont want to toilet in their bedroom area( crate in this case).Puppy pads are put down the opposite side to the crate.
The other dogs in my household sleep near by but not in the pen area.They need looking after and space to.
After day 3 ish i generally progress to sleeping half the night beside the pup / pen and half the night in my bed. I generally have a puppy wee visit during the night. These puppy bladders are small.
Then I get up around 4 ish and we go for another wee visit .The pattern gradually changes to my altering to 2 wee visits during the night/ early morning to an early morning wee visit . Each puppy is an individual and I make the steps personal to them.
There is an occasional accident … and the next night is a new night and we begin again.
Where are we now? Well at 17 weeks give or take a few days. We have reached a full night of sleep and a 6 am wee visit.
Now you may be asking where is the pen in all of this. Well 3 weeks ago the pen door at night was opened up and our youngster had a choice to sleep in the pen or on the kitchen sofa or on the raised bed in the snug. It was up to him. So the picture now is it is his choice where he sleeps. The pen remains up and all the dogs have a choice to go in and out of the pen. That works in my household . However please note that in some dog households this wouldnt work as each dog might need their space and their own area.
So at the moment as a I type our puppy is lying next to me and my girlie is lying on the bed in the pen.
So what have the benefits of using a pen been for us……….
It provides a safe place from big paws from day 1 of pup arrival in their new home
An easy place to use as a feeding station – safe from other interested noses/ mouths who would like to nibble a puppy meal.
A toileting area that is away from the puppies bed e.g crate but also is a target area for the puppy to use during the day. Using pads or paper
A place for the puppy to settle to be calm actively or by choice
A place where they can relax without being disturbed by anyone else in the household e.g our pups need between 18 to 20 hours sleep in a 24 hour period
Provides a great opportunity for the games we play to build confidence when not with their new family members and so helps when planning those steps for building confidence for those times when you have to have a shower, making a cuppa
Gives the humans a break
The pup is in safety – when the front door is open. Well lets be honest they dont arrive with a stay or boundary behaviour
Also very useful for outdoors as your pup is protected from big paws, and can feel safe around visitors.
Also it helps me guide the human visitors on how i would like them to interact with out pup. I know its a sneaky one but being honest here. So for instance encouraging calmness around people v excited jumping up
Yes there are other ways to support sleeping , feeding, resting and attachment training. This method has worked for this household and might be worth you considering for your puppy.
However i do recognise that every home, family and puppy have their own set of personal circumstances. The joy of supporting you and them is we personalise and provide individual situation advice.
Take care and catch up soon
Recent Comments