Remi, 11-wk-old Toy Poodle. I have an X-pen set up with puppy pad, food, water, heated bed (!!), toys. The only time Remi's in it is if I'm gone (work or store) or when I'd like a few more hours sleep.
Today he barked NON-STOP from 5AM to 7:30. I don't know how long he barks when I leave for work -- he's barking when I leave the house and barking when I come home but I'm not sure that's because he hears the garage door go up.
How do I stop him from constantly barking in the X-pen? He doesn't quiet down long enough for me to even reward him being silent!
You might want to rethink your set-up and how you use the expen. If the puppy is going to be left alone and you want him to settle down, a small crate is probably a better option. You can cover it to encourage relaxation and quiet. A good treat that will last for a long time helps as well (like a stuffed frozen Kong). If he is in the crate for just a few hours he doesn't need food, water, and puppy pads.
I used an expen for my pup the same way that the Leerburg people do.....kind of as an extension to tethering. So, the pup is only in the expen for short periods while you can supervise.
It sounds like the pup is barking because he has too much space ans thinks he should have options for entertainment. Try to teach him now while he's young that crate time means chill out and snooze.
Connie Sutherland Moderator Reg: 07-13-2005
Posts: 31571
Loc: North-Central coast of California
Offline
Also ....
"He doesn't quiet down long enough for me to even reward him being silent!"
I stand like a statue, gazing somewhat away from the dog. Eventually the dog looks at me with a "what the heck?" look and just that one break in the noise is instantly marked and rewarded, and also rewarded with my attention. I make a very clear and instant change in everything when there is a break in the barking, with a fast marker, a HV treat, and just a total expression and attention change in me. I am also careful that I reward the barking with zero attention. That statue act cannot follow a special trip into the room, because that's a reward of sorts. I really set this up carefully.
Barking is self-rewarding. Unlike almost all unwanted behavior, which, if unrewarded in any way (not even with negative attention), will extinguish, self-rewarding behaviors often need a concerted effort to break the habit.
Connie Sutherland Moderator Reg: 07-13-2005
Posts: 31571
Loc: North-Central coast of California
Offline
Quote: Tabatha Farnel
... I used an expen for my pup the same way that the Leerburg people do.....kind of as an extension to tethering. So, the pup is only in the expen for short periods while you can supervise. ..... Try to teach him now while he's young that crate time means chill out and snooze.
I agree. I always leave a tired dog or pup in the crate. That means that whatever the pup's age and size requires for him to be ready for a quiet time in his crate is done before he is left in it.
"Today he barked NON-STOP from 5AM to 7:30. I don't know how long he barks when I leave for work -- he's barking when I leave the house and barking when I come home but I'm not sure that's because he hears the garage door go up."
When I worked away from home, I spend a solid hour or more (whatever the dogs I had at the time required) every morning with a power-walk (appropriate for the age, of course) and at least one or two short marker sessions.
That is, a major chunk of dog-time had to be before the dog was left when I went to work.
Of course there was a dog-walker midday if I couldn't get home.
IOW, the dog wasn't left filled with frustrated energy; he was left ready for a nap in the crate.
"The only time Remi's in it is if I'm gone (work or store) or when I'd like a few more hours sleep."
When purchasing any product from Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. it is understood
that any and all products sold by Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. are sold in Dunn
County Wisconsin, USA. Any and all legal action taken against Leerburg Enterprises,
Inc. concerning the purchase or use of these products must take place in Dunn
County, Wisconsin. If customers do not agree with this policy they should not
purchase Leerburg Ent. Inc. products.
Dog Training is never without risk of injury. Do not use any of the products
sold by Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. without consulting a local professional.
The training methods shown in the Leerburg Ent. Inc. DVD’s are meant
to be used with a local instructor or trainer. Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. cannot
be held responsible for accidents or injuries to humans and/or animals.
Copyright 2010 Leerburg® Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. All photos and content on leerburg.com are part of a registered copyright owned by Leerburg Enterprise, Inc.
By accessing any information within Leerburg.com, you agree to abide by the
Leerburg.com Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Puppy barking CONSTANTLY in X-pen
#352185 - 12/24/2011 10:58 AM 
Top
BOGIE Aussie/Heeler Cross
Previous Topic
Index
Next Topic.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
