Crying in Playpen

[Sarah]

Hi Everyone,

We have had our little boy for 5 days and he is being a normal playful pup. We have one issue with him, that i dont know how to fix.

We have a play pen that he goes in when im busy or poping out somewhere and he will be in it whilst we are at work. Problem is, he doesnt quiet down. He just cries and cries and cries. I give him bones and kongs filled with yummy things when he is in there and he just ignores them and cries. I wait till he has stopped (around 45minslater) and let him out, but its the same thing every single time.

We dont have dog walkers or anything here, i just need him to learn to have fun alone...

He sleeps great in his crate at night, no crying at all.


Any advice is appreciated.

[Ann & Reggie]

I never used a playpen, but people say they are great so the dog can see you but they are safe .If he likes his crate, use that as his quiet time. I set up a "nap"schedule when he was young so he was in and out all day, and he could not see me. I still do that, but keep him in for longer hours and it works for both of us. It is all about what works for you and they get used to it.

[Tammy & Gracie]

I agree, since the playpen makes him upset. Just use the crate. Gracie is 1 1/2 years old now. We still use the crate since she seems to like her place. We also, make sure she gets naps in it, whether we are home or not.

[Adina P]

I second the above. At least try the crate during the day and see how he does. Pups sleep something like 16 hours a day, so he doesn't need to have a whole lot of room while he's sleeping. And it will probably just take time for him to get used to the crate at various times. Also, some people find it helpful to just tether their pup to them while they are busy in the house so puppy is close by.

[Sarah]

Thanks for the replies, however the only reason he doesnt cry when he is in the crate is because its next to our bed where i sleep. My partner is at home today (has swine flu) and rocco is in his playpen where he has been crying for 4 hours straight.

We dont know what to do...

[Adina P]

Sounds like he is just lonely...4 hours is a loooong time to be alone completely separated from his people at such a young age. So very normal for him to want to be near. Is there a reason he can't be near your partner while he's nursing his flu? Maybe move his exercise pen near where you are or again...tether him to you so he won't be out of reach. Just put on a belt and loop the hand loop of the leash through your belt and attach him to the leash. Then he has no choice but to follow you where you go and can't get into trouble but is near.

[Kyoko]

I had Charlie tether to me a lot when she was little. So she can be near us, but not get in trouble. When she fell asleep/napped, then I crated her because she seemed to sleep deeper without our noises.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Sounds silly but can you papoose him to you.

Maybe if he were just close to your chest he would calm down and you would have free hands. I had to do it with my babies and I did do it with Spud when we were working on a rental the first week we got him. He would sleep like a baby or just enjoy the sites as I was working. Spud is almost 8 months and still can't be out of our site. He just wants to be close.

[Chris & Boys]

I tried all kinds of things with Fozzy, nothing worked. I just put up with it for a week, and at that time he learned how to climb over the gate, so I just took it down and kept my eye on him and kept the doors to the other rooms closed. I hope you have better luck than I did.

BTW, he is now almost 9 mos and he IS my shadow, the ultimate velcro dog! I still cannot go anywhere without him following me.

[Lynda Kamrath]

Hmmm. We never had that problem. Our puppies were playpen pups and were never criers. But we never left them for long periods in their playpens. As soon as we got up in the morning, we would pick them up and cuddle them before taking them out to use the potty area. Usually the other (older) dog would take over then and play outside until it was time to eat. Then more supervised time and play. Back in the playpen when it was time for a nap. They knew that playpen time was rest time and play time was outside or supervised in the house. It really doesn't last too long and it is great practice for when you have "puppies" of your own. I wouldn't recommend ignoring a crying baby or a puppy. I think he may be crying because he knows you are around and he wants some attention.

[Azure & Muppet]

I think you've done some good things, like giving him things that are pleasurable or fun or interesting when you put him in the playpen so he has a positive association and it doesn't feel punishing, as well as trying to distract and entertain him while you are away. But sometimes things that would normally be irresistible under other circumstances (like yummy bones or kongs or treats) might no longer matter if he is too anxious to care about anything else. You may try 'upping the ante' to more irresistible goodness until you find something that is good enough to be better than getting out of the pen or being near his people. You are also doing a good job to wait until he has stopped and is quiet before you let him out so that you don't reinforce that whining works to get him out and therefore he does it even more, which would only make your situation worse in the future. So keep up those things while you are finding a better solution. It sounds like it could be some separation anxiety since he doesn't do it in his crate when he is next to you in your bed. Since you already have success in his crate at night, you could build on that by gradually leaving him while he is in his crate (perhaps put him to bed for the night then go in and out of the room and let him get used to you being gone away for short periods of time, or go in and out of the room to do other things in the morning before letting him out). Gradually be away for longer and longer periods of time. After being successful (i.e. not whining when you are gone) start putting him in his crate during the day for brief periods of time, and continue gradually increasing the time you leave him alone. You may have to start small (a couple minutes) depending on how he does. He needs to know that you always come back and that your coming and going is no big deal. So try to keep it low-key and don't make it a big deal when you leave or when you return. Good luck.