This means that other than resting your hand on the side of the crate or playpen, you must completely ignore your pup until they settle down. For some puppies, this can take up to 15 minutes, so you must be patient and wait out their cries, protests, and escape attempts until they finally do settle down.
Clicking for calm and quiet is another way to help puppies feel more relaxed in their crates and playpens. When your puppy is quiet, click and toss a tiny bit of food or a piece of kibble to him.
Crate Training Expectations: Crying is Normal At First
With young puppies, crate training generally takes several weeks. Most puppies under the age of about 16 or 20 weeks (4-5 months) won't be able to stand being in the crate for more than a short period of time — typically no more than a few hours.
A playpen should not be used to confine your puppy for long periods as this can lead to behavioral problems. Additionally, your puppy will outgrow the need for a playpen over time.
Food is the easiest and most effective way to make a dog like a place. Serve the puppy his meals in the playpen and you can keep it open if the puppy is still not used to be in it yet. Slowly after each meal, increase the time your puppy spends in the playpen. You can use the chew toy to keep him busy in there.
Leaving a puppy alone with nothing to do in their safe area can be a recipe for trouble. Instead, give them something constructive to do whenever they're in confinement. This will teach them to be happy on their own. A perfect activity is chewing on a chew toy stuffed with food.
Once your dog reaches three months old, they can usually hold it for an hour for each month they've been alive. After six months, dogs can usually hold it for up to six hours. However, even adult dogs shouldn't be home alone for much longer than six to eight hours without a chance for a bathroom break.
Never play tug-of-war or wrestling games with your puppy if you're having a nipping problem. These types of games encourage out-of-control behavior, grabbing, lunging and competition with you. These aren't behaviors you want her to learn.
Their Age Suggests It
However, when they reach around 18 to 24 h months and onwards, or if they grow big fast, a playpen may not be the best play area for them anymore. A baby grows significantly at this stage, and the playpen will be too small for them.
One of the most common mistakes new pet owners make is to give their puppies too much attention or to let them out once they start whining. It is important to allow a puppy crying in their crate to self-soothe a bit to ensure they do not whine and cry every time they are confined to receive your attention.
Try to ignore the whining. If your dog is just testing you, he'll probably stop whining soon. Yelling at him or pounding on the crate will only make things worse. If the whining continues after you've ignored him for several minutes, use the phrase he associates with going outside to eliminate.
Dogs are a naturally social species and it's normal for them to stay close to their social group which is why they can become anxious when left alone. When a puppy is first separated from their mother and litter mates, their usual response will be to whine, whimper or bark while trying to get back to them.
Stop using the playpen when your child can easily climb out — when he or she reaches a height of 34 inches (86 centimeters) or weighs 30 pounds (14 kilograms).
Four To Eight Months
A baby should be exposed to a playpen no later than four months old so that they may grow up understanding that it is safe for them to play in. If introduced earlier, the infant might feel uneasy being left alone in a small area.
Some experts feel that playpens can restrict children, and in the past they have been overused. However, the design of your house, or your circumstances at home, may mean you occasionally need somewhere safe to place your baby for a short period of time. In these situations, a playpen can be really useful.
Many experts agree that a minimum of 2-3 hours of active interaction and engagement is appropriate for puppies. That may not really sound like a lot given it's only 8-12% of the total hours in a day. But keep a couple of things in mind: Puppies need between 18-20 hours of sleep which accounts for majority of the day.
First and foremost, your pup will get bored, and their energy levels will start to drop. They may even begin to yawn or look a bit sluggish and listless. Not playing with your dog means they don't get the mental and physical stimulation they need to stay happy and healthy, so they'll start to show signs of distress .
One of the most popular answers to how long a puppy should exercise per day is 5 minutes for every month of age, twice a day. This means an two-month-old puppy should get 10 minutes of exercise twice a day. This is a good starting point, but not all dogs are the same.
Having a pet sitter or someone you know, such as a friend or neighbour, spend time with your puppy when you're working is a great way to lower the risk of boredom or separation anxiety. If possible, have someone stop by every couple of hours while you're gone if your puppy is younger.
The rule of thumb for how many hours you can leave a puppy crated is calculated by taking their age in months and adding one (a 3-month-old puppy + 1 = 4 hours), but really, you should be paying close attention to how long your particular puppy can be comfortably left alone.
As resting is incredibly important for your puppy's growth, it's likely they'll need several little sleeps throughout the day so you can use the playpen as a safe space to do that. Your puppy won't need a puppy playpen forever, so don't worry about it being a permanent feature in your home.