Day two... first full day in his new pad

[Elizabeth & Cooper]

t's Cooper's second day at home and I've been trying to tackle the pen/crate situation during the day time. I think I've seen some progress throughout the day so hopefully it continues.

I setup the pen again last night and got my bf to clamp down the latches while he was here to prevent any more escapes!

I put him in there this morning and he did the usual flip out but then eventually fell asleep. I waited until he was calm and then let him out and rewarded him. I was still not feeling so great about the experience as it was loud and painful and I'm sure pissed off people in the surrounding area!!!

Then something magical happened. I took him out for a walk and when we came back I gave him a treat and put him in the pen with all his toys and closed the door. No whining. He ate the bone and fell asleep for a couple hours. It was bliss.

Then something even more magical happened. I let him out after he started to wake up but while he was still calm and we went out to pee and another little walk. I then just left the door open to the pen and he started playing on his own in there and then fell asleep again with the door open. I think we're making progress.

He did come out and was wired and started pulling toys out of the pen and playing with them and I just kept putting them back in the crate (without it seeming like a game). Eventually he fell asleep in the main living room area and I let him as I figured we can't do it all in one day and, just now, as I was typing, he got up and went into the pen to nap. It almost made me tear up with pride (hahaha.. who have I become!?).

We'll see how the rest of the day/night goes but I think I need to just remember to take things slowly but consistently. It won't all happen in a day but it definitely feels good when one day ends a bit better than the last!