What Do You Think? [Archive] - Doxie Lovers Club

Bella's Mom

10-13-2006, 03:34 PM

I found this online. It attaches to the x-pen. Do you think this will keep Cooper in? I have to find a solution. I can't let him roam free while we're at work. It's for his safety. I can't keep him confined to his crate because we work all day so he needs access to the wee pad (even if he shreds it to bits). His crate attaches to his x-pen so he would still have his "safe" place, his food area, wee pad area, play area. This cover can also used on the bottom too so it would make clean-up a little easier too?? Opinions?
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a398/BoondocksBella/zw20049.jpg
Or would the rope net (2nd pic) be better or no?
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a398/BoondocksBella/4633bLg.jpg

Tex

10-13-2006, 03:40 PM

Looks like a pretty good solution to me!!!!!! Good luck and let us know if you order one and how it works......

Teddysmom

10-13-2006, 03:42 PM

I honestly think it might work; but you know as well as anyone....where there's a will, there's a way; and if he wants out bad enough, he's gonna find a way. Like i said, i think it would work, but i don't know how determined your little guy is....only you know that.

LUVMYGUNNER

10-13-2006, 04:03 PM

Make sure he doen't wear a collar if he is in the X-Pen. You can't put him in a small bathroom with a blankie, pee pad and some water? Baby gates are not that expensive.

areese

10-13-2006, 04:08 PM

I think the one that comes down over the top (first one) would be best although it seems like it would be better with more attachments cuz he could crawl under it and get between the top and the sides of the x-pen maybe,
YOu could put more holes/grommets in it...
I think he might not realize the string one is really a top and might work hard to get out cuz he can see through it.

Bella's Mom

10-13-2006, 04:29 PM

Make sure he doen't wear a collar if he is in the X-Pen. You can't put him in a small bathroom with a blankie, pee pad and some water? Baby gates are not that expensive.
Oh we tried that (we have 4 baby gates, 2 of which are extra's). He shredded his wee pad, pooped repeatedly and kept walking back and forth through the poop...it was smeared ALL over the bathroom, on the walls, the cabinets, everywhere. The wee pad was in the far corner of the bathroom, his food in another area, his bed, toys, etc. He still managed to have poop spread from one end to the other. I gave him a kong before I left, the ticking clock, a nice warm blankie on his bed, soft music, etc. He truly freaks out when we leave. He didn't escape this time, but the end result was actually worse. I know I seem like I'm grasping at straws here but I'm doing whatever I can to keep him in our home. DH has gotten so upset and has said more than once that Cooper may have to go back to the breeder and I can't do that (okay now I'm crying again). I can't give him back so I'm doing whatever I can do to get some balance back into our household. Desperate, maybe but he's my boy...:sad1:

LUVMYGUNNER

10-13-2006, 05:25 PM

Bella's Mom

10-13-2006, 05:33 PM

Wow that has to be hard. Sometimes it just takes a while for them to get it together. He must be stressing out when you leave. Have you tried Rescue Remedy, Quiet Moments-that might help him a little. It would be hard to give him up--I know I couldn't do it either. Here are some rays :bigrayz: :bigrayz: :bigrayz: that this little guy will get it together.
My order of Rescue Remedy just came in. I got one of those Comfort Zone plug in's too. It's worth a try. He has been so good today (I've been home all day though). He's played, slept, pooped three times (all outside) but his peepee is still frequent (thanks doG for the diaper wrap). I'm going to plug in the Comfort Zone today and see if it affects him. I won't know for sure until Tuesday when both DH and I are gone to work. Thanks for the progress :bigrayz: :bigrayz: our little man needs them. He's just so sweet. I took them outside to potty and play a little (it is freezing here) and after awhile he got cold even with his fleece coat on so I picked him up and put him inside my jacket and he just snuggled in...I give him little pep talks hoping it will all sink in after awhile.

Lori

10-13-2006, 05:35 PM

I think the one with the wire top would be your best bet to keep him from escaping. Are you going to put him outside or is this pen going in the kitchen? If in the house do wire top. I think you can get very inexpensive very large vinyal table cloths at a k-mart type place for 1.99. I use them under my hanging bird play centers. You could place this under the pen. After they are wrecked you just throw them away. It is easy to wipe poo and clean pee, then after a day or two or a real messy day throw it away, they are really cheap. If he is chewing his pee pad what about newspaper instead? Or better yet a sod box or a potty box of another kind. Have you seen those? You can make them or buy them. To buy them they are about 219.00but to make them it is very inexpensive. I'll post a link to look at them so you see the idea. They have others with litter but I'm afraid he might get the litter all over from what you said.

http://www.doggysod.com/

http://www.petapotty.com/

I would also reduce the amount you feed him for breakfast and feed him a larger dinner. Feed him super early too about 1 1/2 to 2 hours before you work (yup get up early, Pippin eats at 5:15 when hubby gets up) so he might poop twice outside or where you can clean it up before you leave. I think sod it a terrific idea myself in the sturdy box is a good idea with his destructive tendencies. What kinds of things does he have to chew on? Have you tried interacive toys? Also toys they have to roll to get food, you could feed him breakfast that way when you leave and he has to work to get the food out, another idea. I don't know what people have told you so I'm throwing ideas out there.

Does he play fetch yet? If so play with him for at least 1/2 hour before you leave then take him to go potty one more time. Or a brisk walk for 1/2 an hour before you have to leave, remember you won't always have to this right? The idea of course is to tire him out. Your other dog, where is she when he is confined? Two thoughts, one put her in there with him the other is keep her far away so he doesn't see and try to get to get to her which might be frustrating.

LUVMYGUNNER

10-13-2006, 05:37 PM

When he does something good make sure you praise him and give him a little treat. You might also want to use a clicker for training him it did great for Gunner and Petunia. For some reason I had good luck with both of them in training them with that. Gunner only took a few days to know what he needed to do and Petunia took about 2 weeks.

Lori

10-13-2006, 05:39 PM

Oh also one other thing. I had Pippin on Natural Balance Premium and he pooped 6 times a day while he was on that food, I'm not kidding. I switched him to puppy wellness and he poops three times a day like a normal pup, sometimes only two now. Sometimes the food if it doesn't have enough protein for puppies they poop a lot more. My older dogs do great on the natural balance but Pippin did not.

alfina

10-13-2006, 06:44 PM

Kelli, when Comfort plug came out soome time ago, I had read an artilce about it. They did a study and it takes about 2 months to see difference. Only 50% dogs actually changed their behavior.

I would definitely try the top for an x-pen. I'd say the wire top (the last one), if you can afford it. This one he won't be able to get out of for sure.

Patt

10-13-2006, 10:39 PM

Wow I like that, especially the wire mesh top. I hope it works for Mr. Cooper!! :crossfin:

I used D.A.P. plug-ins.

lizzieb38

10-14-2006, 02:06 PM

Tons of :bigrayz: :bigrayz: :bigrayz: :bigrayz: :bigrayz: that the lil Pooper settles down. Hang in there:hug99: :hug99: :hug99: :hug99: for you and DH!

Jen

10-14-2006, 08:54 PM

alfina

10-15-2006, 06:15 AM

Have you tried leaving them in the pen together?

Bella's Mom

10-15-2006, 01:06 PM

Are you using anti separation anxiety training? Specifically, ignoring him for 5 min before you leave and 5 min after you get home--and then with a calm low-key greeting. I know he's young, with with SA issues its not too early to start conditioning him.
Yes, we started that from day one. We do it with Bella and thought it was best to get him in on the "program" early on. :rolleyes:

Bella's Mom

10-15-2006, 01:08 PM

Have you tried leaving them in the pen together?
I haven't tried that but I almost think it would be unfair to Bella. She earned her right to have more roaming area and to put her back to step 1 doesn't seem fair. With our luck, Cooper would still climb out and leave poor Bella in there. :shocked: he's not a climber.

alfina

10-15-2006, 04:20 PM

Seb and Sofie both have SA in different degrees. I find that when they are together, they do better. You may want to try. I wouldn't look at it as punishing Bella. She may just end up playing wth Cooper all day instead of looking at him going crazy in the x-pen. Also her being on the other side may only make him try escape more.

Your call. You know your dogs better. JMO.