A new Puppy Palace problem - sorry!

[LoveMySadie]

Today was the first day that I got home from school to find the puppies out of the shower and wandering around the bathroom. There's nothing there that they can hurt, or that can hurt them, and Sadie is in there with them if I'm not home, but they weren't happy. I took them out to play as soon as I got home, but I'm leaving again in a few minutes so it's back to the palace for the crew.

So...back to the pen idea. I couldn't leave them in the pen in the fenced yard unless I was there with them, right? Could they stay outside by themselves?? Somehow that just doesn't seem right, but they are NOT happy today in their bathroom.

They'll be five weeks old tomorrow and I'll be out of school on Friday. So we have some time left to work with here...what's the best plan of action for the remaining weeks?

Where would I ever be without this forum!?!! :NOTWORTHY:

Leslie

[LaRositaMonita]

Is there another, more open part of the house where you could leave them in an ex pen? The kitchen? I don't think I'd leave them outside unsupervised...there's all kinds of nastiness they could get into, even in a pen in a fenced yard....but I'm no expert :)

[MrsGrace]

I agree. Do not leave them outside. Too many hazards, heat, sun, kids, thieves, wind, rain, raccoons/wildlife, other animals like dogs and cats they shouldn't be exposed to... too many hazards to list.

Can you put them in an XPen inside? As LRM said, in the kitchen or something?

[Jespah]

As long as they are together they should be "happy" no matter where they are. My motto with my dogs is safety first, happy second!!!! So, NO do not leave them outside unattended at any time!!!!!!!

[LoveMySadie]

Am so glad I wasn't crazy! I couldn't imagine leaving them outside for even five minutes unattended, but everyone was so enthusiastic about the pens I was beginning to wonder if maybe I was being overprotective. I'm still going to check out the pen idea, but the pups will continue to be watched over by my eagle eyes and Sadie's...we make a great duo! :CUTE:

Thanks,
Leslie

[CorgiMum]

As long as they are together they should be "happy" no matter where they are. My motto with my dogs is safety first, happy second!!!! So, NO do not leave them outside unattended at any time!!!!!!!

I agree 100%!!

I couldn't imagine having even one puppy without an x-pen. I would have one in the kitchen, even when you are home.

[bunnybutts]

I would leave them in the bathroom - less mess for you, less hazzards for them to find.

[Jespah]

When my two were babies, I took my dining room suite out, went and bought a $25 piece of linoleum and put it down on the carpet and put the Xpen up. Both Rupert and Riley spent their first 6 months or so in there while I was at work or when I needed them contained. It was great - I live in a 2 bedroom apartment and this way they were both out with me, the cats and each other and not in a separate room. It worked out great.

[taflar]

So...back to the pen idea. I couldn't leave them in the pen in the fenced yard unless I was there with them, right? Could they stay outside by themselves?? Somehow that just doesn't seem right, but they are NOT happy today in their bathroom.

Well, personally, I would not leave my puppies in the yard if I wasn't home. What if it rains? What if someone decides to take one or more of them?

..what's the best plan of action for the remaining weeks?

Put the pen up in the house. (This is where owning more than one pen comes in handy.) Put it on a heavy tarp or on an old shower curtain (make sure there are no tears in it.) I put mine on a piece of plywood that I've painted so I can scrub down when needed. I put 1 x 2's around the edge to hold it in place.

Peggy

[Milosmom]

I agree with the others, I would never leave them outside unsupervised.....too many things could happen and most would not be good.
Bathroom or kitchen would be best, clean up is easier!
I leave on a radio for Milo, just make sure it is up high enough (cord especially) so they cannot a) knock it down or b) change the station to a loud heavy metal station and drive the neighbors up a wall. :LAUGH:

[LoveMySadie]

I honestly didn't think that anyone meant for me to leave them outside alone, especially for any length of time! I would never do that! No one could get in to them because of our fencing, but we do have wild animals around our area - leaving them outside is just not a good idea. I had never planned to - I had just misunderstood the enthusiasm for the pens! Rest assured...Gus and the Girls are not left unattended!

But, now that they can climb out of the Palace into the bathroom proper I need to do something to protect the floor a little bit. It is all tile, and relatively easy to clean, but still..."NO:": So I'm working on that aspect of the deal!

We're spending a good bit of time out on the patio. I'm feeding them there every chance that I have. Then they play outside for 20 minutes or so afterwards and are ready to collapse. And a lot of the "mess" occurs outside this way. :WINK:

Weaning is my next big hurdle! Keep your fingers crossed for us all, and keep those suggestions coming!!

Leslie

[MissGambler's+Mojo'sMommy]

I think Jespah had a wonderful idea, creating a false floor that can just be disposed of when you no longer need it.

[glencorgi]

And don't forget to invest in stock in paper towel companies. +SPIN+

Debbie

[LoveMySadie]

And don't forget to invest in stock in paper towel companies. +SPIN+

Debbie

Oh, I think I've done that already! And thank goodness for the Sunday New York Ti mes!! :LAUGH:

Leslie

[Fluffypants]

And thank goodness for the Sunday New York Ti mes!! :LAUGH:

Leslie

I knew it was good for something!:LAUGH:

[MVons]

I'm sorry Leslie we didn't communicate we all use the pens inside too. They substitute for baby gates, fence off my alcove fireplace with the step up hearth when my puppy arrives, or fence in my son's lego set, or . . . yes, you can't go wrong with one unless you are readying your place for a Home & Garden magazine photo. :SPINNY:

Merrie