August 01, 2024
I just got a 9 week old puppy and when I put her in the ex-pen she cries and climbs the sides to get out, I need help!
Full Question:
Hello, I just got my puppy at 9.5 weeks, I put her in the expen so I could make dinner but she is crying so much and climbing the walls to try to get out. I don’t want to reward this behavior and want her to see the expen as a good thing. How do I stop this? I gave her toys and food in the pen and put her in when she was napping but she’s still fully freaked out. I had her in there earlier playing with toys and food to familiarize herself with it but I’m not sure how else to acclimate her. I bought the puppy course from Leerburg and watched the expen section but feel like I need extra help. 
Cindy's Answer:
If you can't be right there to keep her from climbing the expen before she does it then it's best to use a crate when you have tasks to do (like cooking, working, etc) If she's new to your home it may take her a while to settle. With new pups that seem stress, I will only put them in the expen when I'm able to focus my attention on them and I give them something like a stuffed treat toy, bully stick or bone. Again, depending on how long you've had her it may take a bit for her to feel comfortable away from her littermates and the home she came from. It's better to put her in there for short periods of time and take her out BEFORE she freaks out. You want her to relax and look forward to it.
All pups are different, some settle right away and others may take a while and there are pups that really protest any kind of confinement.
All pups are different, some settle right away and others may take a while and there are pups that really protest any kind of confinement.
User Response:
Thank you this helps a lot!
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