Today has been quite difficult again with Dillon. My kids are pretty mad and the poor dog is getting over excited and knocked them over and biting their ankles. I have told him off and tried following the guidelines in the perfect puppy book but its non stop all day and I am getting stressed out as I just cant be watching them constantly.

I have a crate that I use when we go out but Dillon really doesnt like to go in it during the day when we are there although I do put him in if I am going upstairs.

I ended up putting him on his lead tonight so that I could cook tea etc without having to crate him again. I am thinking about getting a puppy pen or getting hubbie to create a temporary outside run but he thinks this is cruel and a bad way to go.

I really dont know what to do. I am spending a good deal of time playing with Dillon and when the kids arent around I am trying to train him (impossible with 4 kids shouting sit!!). Would it be harmful to use a puppy pen or run? Hubbie thinks that this will be detrimental in the long run? And if I used one how long can I put him in for? I could fit a smallish pen in the kitchen and I spend most of my day in there! What more can I do to improve things? My husband is now thinking that Dillon was a bad idea but I love him already and really want this to work. I would really appreciate some more help. Thankyou

Puppy pens are not cruel at all, and a very good idea. Firstly it keeps your pup out of harms way, and secondly it will help you be more relaxed with him. And the more relaxed you are, the better he will be. If you are tense and at the end of your tether all the time he will sense this and play up to it.

I'd say go for it. Just make sure he has enough toys in their to keep him busy.

Also if you buy a puppy pen you can use it both indoors and outdoors. If you just get an outdoor run thats all it ever will be.

If you do get one, don't just put him in their for punishment, treat it the same as his crate.... somewhere safe and fun for him to be, so put him in frequently before you get to the point of tearing your hair out with him.

Hope this helps, and good luck. Trust me when I say things do get better

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Try reading the perfect puppy book by gwen bailey.

Hi Shiver, sorry to hear you are getting to the end of your tether!

I would really recommend a pen, we got one for Roger and its been a lifesaver. With a boisterous toddler in the house it gives him somewhere to chill out and also keeps him out of the way when we need some mummy and son time.

I work from home part time so when I am on the computer upstairs he stays in the pen downstairs, then I take frequent breaks to take him out to the toilet and have playtimes. So far, this has worked out really well and he is very happy to take it easy in there. I'm not working today but he's just having a love nap in there and had another one this morning.

As someone else mentioned, I never use it as a form of punishment, and always make sure he gets some tasty treats whenever he goes in it. We have his crate in it as well and its where he sleeps at night.

If Roger gets too overexcited and starts being 'nippy' I put him in the next room, shut the door, count to twenty, then let him back in again with no fuss or attention. It seems to be working, sort of ...

Good luck!

hi shiver i dont know if this will be any help but is there any safe room that you could put a baby gate up so that the puppy can get a break and the kids can run and play? it worked wonders in our house thats all. my kids a 2 4 and 6 and they are exactly the same ( a bit mad....lol) and buster used to get over exited and hurding them nipping there ankles and jumping up them so i used a baby gate across the kitchen door and he went in the kitchen if he was getting to much for them or they were getting to much for him...lol

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That's a really good idea, I have a spare gate I could use My kiddies are 18m, 3y 5y and 8y so quite a handful at times!

Today we set up our old baby dan kiddies play pen between the kitchen and the hall. I spend alot of time in the kitchen and Dillon went in there a couple of times today when I was busy. I was so much less stressed. He didnt mind it at all, he had a bed in there and some toys and both times took a nap. Then when he came out I made an extra big fuss of him and we went outside to play and to do some training. He seems calmer today when he has been free too.

So I'm alot happier today, and Ive only had one incident of Dillon causing any tears so a huge improvement.

blimey that is a handfull bet they keep ya busy
sounds like ya getting there with him, how old is he? buster has only just turned 6 months and i ave found it is mainly trial and error....lol but the baby gate was the best thing that i have done....he still has a crate but he doesnt use it much now just spends time in the kitchen.....lol and the kids ....well they are still mad.....lol

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