Puppy play pen training_HELP

[Madisonhunt]

Hello everyone!

I know I have been posting quite a bit on here but it’s been a while since I raised a pup and I’m trying to do things differently than my first pup. I try to keep in my mind that I have only had my pup for almost 2 weeks now.

I am at a complete loss as to how to train my puppy to accept her play pen. She HATES it. She cries and “yells” when she is put in there. She has started calming down quicker as long as I am in the same room as her and she will eventually take a short nap. Any time I walk out of the room she loses it and won’t stop barking and screeching. She does fine in her crate for bed time. However, it’s the same thing. If I leave the room she loses it. I am trying to prevent dependence with my adult dog so I make sure to take them to potty separately. But she also gets very very upset. I am trying so hard to prevent separation anxiety but I wonder if I am causing it in the long run? Also, it seems that sometimes she gets so upset that she poops in the pen. It’s not every time but it happens often enough for me to suspect that she is stressing herself. I take her out every 30 minutes minimum and she usually has pooped before this happens. I know she’s just a puppy and she doesn’t understand but I need help.

P.S. I work from home so I am always with her in case I have to go out for a couple hours.

 

[Two Dobes]

I am guessing you have lots of entertainment toys, bones and stuff in there with her? That's tough when they screech like that....
Can you live through the carrying on without tending to her? Sounds like she is trying to get you to come pay attention to her, and maybe winning? Sorry, I am not sure how old she is.

 

[JanS]

I've never used an x-pen but our kitchen/dining room are gated off to keep them from free roaming the house. They aren't fond of me leaving the room but they're much better about it now than when they were as younger pups.

I know I have been posting quite a bit on here but it’s been a while since I raised a pup and I’m trying to do things differently than my first pup. I try to keep in my mind that I have only had my pup for almost 2 weeks now.

You can ask all the questions you want. That's what we're here for.

 

[Madisonhunt]

I am guessing you have lots of entertainment toys, bones and stuff in there with her? That's tough when they screech like that....
Can you live through the carrying on without tending to her? Sounds like she is trying to get you to come pay attention to her, and maybe winning? Sorry, I am not sure how old she is.

She is 9 weeks old. I keep a plethora of toys in there with her. Stuffed, teething toys, rope toys, etc. I can live through it, I just don’t know how to make it more appealing to her. I get her out every 30 minutes to play unless she’s taking a nap. Then I let her nap until she wakes up. I have her on a good routine she just doesn’t seem to like the pen.

 

[Madisonhunt]

I've never used an x-pen but our kitchen/dining room are gated off to keep them from free roaming the house. They aren't fond of me leaving the room but they're much better about it now than when they were as younger pups.

You can ask all the questions you want. That's what we're here for.

I appreciate the support and help! Unfortunately I can’t gate off our dinning/kitchen because it’s all open to each other. I would do that if I could. I am hoping she will grow out of it. I would just like to be able to take my adult dog on a seperate walk (until she has all of her shots) without worrying about her stressing herself so much.

 

[Madisonhunt]

I am guessing you have lots of entertainment toys, bones and stuff in there with her? That's tough when they screech like that....
Can you live through the carrying on without tending to her? Sounds like she is trying to get you to come pay attention to her, and maybe winning? Sorry, I am not sure how old she is.

Actually, she’s 10 weeks on Tuesday. My math was a little off

 

[Kswoodssue]

She was bred to be with you; to be your friend and protector. She will most likely always be that way. She will also most likely be escaping from that pen in a few short weeks. She is just a baby, so just relax, play and bond with her.

 

[Ddski5]

At 10wks, I am not for sure if she understands that once you leave her sight that you are not permanently gone from existence. In psychology, this is called object permanence. Object permanence is the understanding that objects continue to exist even when they are out of sight. It involves the ability to mentally represent and understand that an object exists even if it is hidden from view.

Babies/children develop this at about 4-7months. I just googled puppies and it stated 11weeks.

I say to keep doing what you are doing and ride the storm out. Be consistent and don’t coddle her, she will learn and have confidence in you as she matures.

Whatever you do, do not coddle her, praise or give treats when she is crying/raging. This will only reinforce her negative antics with the reward you are giving. Instead, sneak close to her behind a wall and wait for the time in which she quiets/calm down. Then praise and give treats when she is calm and respectful.

If she never calms or settles down, then I would step in quickly, tell her it’s okay and quickly leave the area. Don’t stay long, praise or treat to reinforce her antics.

She will get it…this will not be your first challenge so start honing your skills now. Always be consistent, persistent and patient. You want to raise a confident, respectful Doberman. Not a crackhead that gets everything it wants.

 

[Two Dobes]

Not a crackhead that gets everything it wants.

Hilarious

 

[Ravenbird]

@Ddski5 - 100%

 

[Madisonhunt]

At 10wks, I am not for sure if she understands that once you leave her sight that you are not permanently gone from existence. In psychology, this is called object permanence. Object permanence is the understanding that objects continue to exist even when they are out of sight. It involves the ability to mentally represent and understand that an object exists even if it is hidden from view.

Babies/children develop this at about 4-7months. I just googled puppies and it stated 11weeks.

I say to keep doing what you are doing and ride the storm out. Be consistent and don’t coddle her, she will learn and have confidence in you as she matures.

Whatever you do, do not coddle her, praise or give treats when she is crying/raging. This will only reinforce her negative antics with the reward you are giving. Instead, sneak close to her behind a wall and wait for the time in which she quiets/calm down. Then praise and give treats when she is calm and respectful.

If she never calms or settles down, then I would step in quickly, tell her it’s okay and quickly leave the area. Don’t stay long, praise or treat to reinforce her antics.

She will get it…this will not be your first challenge so start honing your skills now. Always be consistent, persistent and patient. You want to raise a confident, respectful Doberman. Not a crackhead that gets everything it wants.

That makes a lot of sense. I’m also getting the sense that maybe she’s jealous while me and my other dog are free roaming the house? I’m not sure if that’s a thing with dogs. I got good at ignoring and waiting with my first pup. She’s just different than he was (probably because of the breed difference) so I’m learning her quirks and personality as I go. She has gotten better over the time she’s been here. I’m also working on keeping her attention throughout the day because she constantly wants to play with my other dog. Which is fine. I just need her to be able to be independent from him. Afraid of separation anxiety with him.