Play Pen?? - Paw Talk

CHERYL2121 · #1 09-12-2006, 09:44 AM

Please forgive me if this has been posted before! But I was wondering what everyone thought of a play pen for a puppy? My problem is that I get up about 6:30 am for the Petey feed him and take him potty, and play with him for about a half hour before I have to start getting ready for work. During the time I'm getting showered and dressed I was thinking that I could keep him in a play pen with some toys (safe ones) this way he is near me, not crated and gets some energy out before going back to his crate. Since he is only 10 weeks old an hour of play time really tires him out for a couple of hours till my husband gets up!! Thanks in advance!!

corgimom · #2 09-12-2006, 12:38 PM

I would make sure to go with a doggy playpen and not a baby playpen. Baby playpens usually have foam cushioning on the bottom to make it more comfortable for babies to sit/lay on, and some of them have plastic covering, too. Not things that would be very good for him to chew on.

To me, a playpen would be much more fun to play/sit in than a kennel. I don't know what breed of dog you have to know how big he is, but as long as he can't climb up and over it or jump over it, I would think it would be a fine idea. We had one for Ein when he was a puppy. He used it as a baby get to close off one particular room rather than as a playpen, but it's ultimately the same thing.

CHERYL2121 · #3 09-12-2006, 01:43 PM

Thanks Corgimom!! I have a Terrier, and he is tiny (for now). I got a portable playpen today, and it allows you to remove the padding. My husband said he didn't seem to like it though. I'm gonna get a kong later and use it for the playpen and when no one is home in his crate. See I may be going a little to nuts worrying about the puppy, but I had bought a boxer from a puppy store (never again) and he was 5 months old and had MAJOR separation anxiety!! So I'm so afraid of causing this behavior in Petey. This morning I had him in the bathroom as I got ready, which he was fine with - but I removed him when the hair spray came out. I know I can't stop my daily routine, such as cleaning, cooking, etc - but I also know he should be supervised at ALL times, and my doorways don't allow for baby gates.

I have to say, I'm becoming very stressed and over whelmed trying to make sure I do hings right!!

HappyDancer · #4 09-12-2006, 04:29 PM

a doggy play pen sounds great...if we had the room I would have one for my smaller girls...I know they sale them at petsmart and other pet stores

Vanilla_Rat · #5 09-12-2006, 06:47 PM

A playpen sounds good!Make sure it is a safe one tho!

Before you leave for work or leave for anywhere,try not to fuss over him.This is ONE thing that CAN lead to seperation anxiety.Also when you return home,if he is going nuts...ignore him (as hard as it may be) for at least 2-5 minutes.Again fussing when you return home or before you leave can cause seperation anxiety.

Good luck!

CHERYL2121 · #6 09-13-2006, 09:02 AM

Well I tried the playpen with his kong and he was not having it! Actually he slept all night due to being sick, so today I'm taking him to see the vet. He had worms before we got him and was treated, but seems still sick. Because of sleeping all night he was not happy being in the crate at 1 am and again this morning when I left for work. I just ignored him till he went to sleep again which he did after 45 min to an hour of crying!

corgimom · #7 09-13-2006, 03:28 PM

Tucker seems to have some seperation anxiety, so I understand. We don't fuss over him and ignore him the best we can.

Petey may just not like the playpen yet because it's new and unfamiliar. Given time, he may come to like it. Maybe try putting him in their one of your shirts or something else that smells like you. It may make him feel more comfortable to have a familiar scent.

corgimom · #8 09-13-2006, 03:29 PM

Try putting him there with one of your shirts, or something else that smells like you. The familiar scent may make him more comfortable. The playpen may be kinda scary to him at first since it's new.

Angelnstuff · #9 09-13-2006, 04:56 PM

I was going to suggest keeping him with you in the morning, take him in the bathroom and close the door atleast while your showering, he should have tons of room to play (and if done every day he will become less afraid of the running water when bath time comes around

) or maybe leash training? i dont know what your morning routine is or if it would allow for this, but you could try putting him on a leash and putting it around your waist.. that way he follows you from room to room, that way he has plenty of time with you in the morning, and you will be able to stop him from getting into things, jus make sure you finish off with a trip outside before he goes back in his bed.

wellahart · #10 09-13-2006, 11:44 PM

I work for a lady that has a mini schnauzer (I think) and she has a playpen for her dog. She keeps a small doggie bed in there to make it comfy as well as some treats and toys. Maggie does great with it and doesn't seem to have any problems. She mostly uses it when people come over or if she is wet after coming in from outside. She gets upset for a little bit but when you ignore her she calms down. I'd say to just keep trying it with your puppy a little bit each day and keep his favorite toy in there with him. I'm sure he will get used to it eventually.

CHERYL2121 · #11 09-14-2006, 10:09 AM

Good ideas everyone- thanks so much!!

Petey did great yesterday and this morning!! Hes feeling better and on some meds so all is well!

As far as the morning goes- I have to say he is sooo good! I leave him free in some of the house with his toys etc AFTER I shower this way I can peek out every min or so to see what hes doing, and he loves just sitting on the couch on his blanket chewing his toy!! Instead of getting him up as soon as I get up, first I go get half ready, that way I can keep looking out on him!! And also he didn't even cry at all last night!! I'm trying not to get to excited, but it was great sleeping a full night!

Oh and also- yesterday I posted that he cried for about 45min haha the funny thing my husband did time it and it was only 20 min!! To me seemed like forever!! LMAO!!

Puttin510 · #12 09-14-2006, 12:10 PM

Silly me, bought a baby playpen, bad bad idea. Alls my pup did was climb up. Poodles can climb. That ended really fast. Get an ex-pen. The taller ones are best I think. But all in all, if it can climb. a room with a board at the door, or the door shut is good. It can't climb the board. BUT be aware, dogs can be very smart and pile toys so's they can stand on and get to the top of the board. I know of someone that watched it happen.
Let the pup have alone time, or it will end up with S. A.(sep-anxiety) he'll cry, but it will be much worse if you dote on it always.

corgimom · #13 09-14-2006, 01:02 PM

Glad he's doing better.

Odd that my thing double posted. I could've sworn that I hit the back button by accident before I hit "post quick reply". So I retyped it and posted it. Obviously I was going crazy yesterday.

Elvis Lee Mommy · #14 09-14-2006, 01:43 PM

I had a pet play pen for Elvis & he loved it. It was large & I set it up in the garage. He went in it when I did my watercolor painting in the studio I set up in the garage. He had a blanket, puppy bed, toys & some treats. He had a great time in there, although he really did not like it in the beginning. Sometimes it takes a while for a puppy to get used to something new. We never used it to replace the crate when we leave the house. Now that he is older, he has free reign of the house & garage when at least one of us is home. When we go out, however, he goes into his kennel/crate & he sleeps.

Keep up the good work with your new pup & try not to worry. Puppies pick up on our emotions so you need to be a strong, calm leader for your baby.

CHERYL2121 · #15 09-14-2006, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elvis Lee Mommy


	Puppies pick up on our emotions so you need to be a strong, calm leader for your baby.

Wow great advice!!! Thanks, I will remember that!!