[Lori Z]

I use a crate at night when puppy is very small and an Xpen during the day or a larger kennel space. I like this video by Michael Ellis.

How We use Ex-Pens to Raise Puppies in our Home - YouTube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWQLfq7tpVE&feature=related

I am not as fond of crates as some people are. I use crates to potty train and that's about it. I do not leave my puppy in the crate while I am gone I use and xpen or kennel. Just another way of doing things, interesting video I think you will like it. All of my dogs are fine with crates in case we need to use them but I think puppies need space to stretch and move around for longer than an hour or two. Eli was very floppy in his crate at night, he could sigh and turn this way and that. At around 5 months I used a tether, got him a dog bed and he has slept on the dog bed since then. At about 6 months we didn't use the tether but the room was picked up and I trained him to "go to your place" stay in the bed. The door was also closed. I think dogs need to be with us, in our rooms by our sides, in the living room, kitchen areas etc. to learn to be with the other animals and the family but they also need to be contained until they learn manners.

Eli will go into a crate with no problems and that is important for a vet visit or a dog show but overall we just don't use crates much here.

 

[Lori Z]

I want to use your idea, but she cries/gets upset whenever I leave. I'd be afraid she'd get out. Ill look for an ex pen on Craigslist.

I think in his video he says pups often tolerate xpens when they may not be so accepting of crates. Frankly I don't know if this is so but I do know Eli learned to be alone and not stress in his xpen and then the kennel I had (6x4 foot kennel I kept in the garage with a dog house (blankets), toys and very much the same set up as Ellis has in his xpen. I put Eli in that because it was a bit larger. The garage had windows and he was in it when I went to work. I put papers down and soon he waited until I came home at lunch and didn't poo or pee. The xpen was set up in the kitchen which opened up to the family room so he was always around us but couldn't get into trouble if I wasn't was busy. I did basically the same with most of my puppies. Your girl is new, she will be fine and learn the ways of your household. You sound like a very good owner. I do enjoy the Ellis video's too.

Oh I wanted to add she can be in the xpen while you are home but are busy, like cooking, doing laundry etc. she can see you but has to stay in her safe place. That way you can make sure she stays in it, make it a tall one and you can put it next to a wall and put a chair in front to stablize it if she jumps on it a lot. Be sure to put chewies, toys and interesting things in there with her.