Puppy training is all-consuming, especially at first. Getting your puppy into a routine takes time. I’m going through the same things that our new puppy owners are. Sometimes Journey fusses, moans and whines when he’s in his puppy pen. Sometimes he barks and barks. It’s a process with each puppy. Some settle into their new homes and routines quickly and others take a bit longer. Hang in there! Things do get better.

I try to make sure that Journey has lots of attention, lots of trips outside for successful potty training, lots of playtime and short training sessions or fun puppy games/training throughout the day interspersed with time in his puppy pen. He still doesn’t like being “stuck” in his pen, but he’s slowly getting used to it. Likely because he knows he doesn’t have to be in it all the time. That’s one advantage of working from home. He can be loose a lot as long as I’m actively watching him. If I’m too busy to keep track of him, then he will be in his puppy pen. Because I want him to be successful in house breaking, I don’t want my busy-ness to distract me from signs he might be giving about needing to relieve himself and then having an accident on the floor. In the puppy pen, he knows that the litter box is an appropriate place to relieve himself if moms busy.

But I also want him to learn that being in his puppy pen is okay, because he’s not always going to be loose with me (as a puppy). Sometimes I have to be away from home or I’m working and can’t have him with me. So adjusting to his “bedroom” is pertinent.

So hang in there puppy families. Give your puppy boundaries, but lots of love and attention too. Just don’t give the attention when they are doing something you don’t want to reinforce (like howling in the puppy pen for attention). Instead wait for that pause of quiet (even if it’s just a few seconds) to reward them with some attention. If you need to play a radio near their pen or cover the front of the pen with a blanket so they still hear you moving about but can’t see you. Use your Snuggle puppy and the Doggie Calming spray or a quality lavender oil in a diffuser. This is a stressful time as they adjust to a new home and  no littermates around now.

Do short training sessions in the crate (mealtimes is great) and sit there with them if you need to. Then let them out while they are quiet, even if they’re not quite finished eating. You can open the door and let them out (still sitting by them) and leave the door open so they can go back in to finish eating if they want to. We want the crate to be a good experience. They have been sleeping in one since they were about five weeks old. But being closed in the crate for longer periods of time is a process.

Also short training sessions and short interactive play sessions with your puppy throughout the day. I provide some great positive reinforcement books in our puppy handouts that has some great training ideas. Also, if you haven’t you can still utilize the Baxter and Bella training program. It’s such a great resource and training tool for our families. And you’ll get a great discount with our code if you do want to sign up (PINEWOOD).

I have an added challenge with Journey. I wasn’t thinking when I scheduled Joy to be spayed around the time all the pups went home. That means she is recuperating in her crate in the living room and Journey’s puppy pen is in the dining area. So when he fusses and cries, she gets upset and starts fussing in her crate and banging on the crate door. Moms don’t like when their babies are upset. Not great planning on my part, but we’ll get through this challenge too!

Lots of trips outside

Lots of play and interaction

Lots is snuggles

This didn’t happen until the afternoon (when he finally settled for a nap in his crate)

The new office dog❤️