Willy, Alex and Misty broke out again yesterday. They didn't do much around the house that I could see. Trying out Plan C today. If this doesn't work, they may find themselves in a kennel in the garage. The problem is that now they know they can break out, and they cannot win this one.
Do you guys find that x-pens work well?
Any suggestions? HELP!!!!
Would it really be bad for them to have access to the kitchen/livingroom area and have the stairs gated off and doors to other rooms closed? I think that is what I would consider doing if they kept breaking out! At least then you would know where they are.
I was thinking like April. It may be less dangerous than them injuring themselves trying to escape. Also, once they are use to the new house, you could try confining them a little more. A lot of the problem may be getting adjusted to the new place. Hopefully it will get better after another weekend at home. Where did they stay in the old house?
I was thinking the same thing, can they just have the run of the place, with blocking off the stairs or things they could get hurt on? When I have to leave Hallie I shut doors to all the rooms and put an x pen across the couch (I pen the couch in LOL) so she can't jump on it, then she has the living room, kitchen and utility room to roam in. And her floor level window to look out of. (windows to look out of are not a problem at your house!!! :thumb: I'll bet the doxies love those windows!) If that's not an option, how about a really large x pen with a lid? I would never have thought of a lid but Ilsa can climb up and over an x pen like nobodies business LOL. These doxies are suprisingly agile!
Thanks for your input everyone. First of all, its easy to keep them out of the upstairs part of the house, we could gate off the stairs. And if we shut all the doors on the main floor, they would be limited to the kitchen, dining, living and entry areas. At the old house they were confined to the kitchen, and they had a window they could see out of. In the new place, they don't have a window in the laundry room where we are trying to confine them to. Despite all our windows in the new place, the dogs are too short to see out of the lower ones. We have a stair-step thing for the dogs to use when getting on the couch. Our main concern is them going potty in places they shouldn't, and scratching on doors like they did last Sunday when we went to breakfast. At the old house, they knew the routine and were so good about "getting in the kitchen" when it was time for us to leave for work. I'm sure the dogs just need more time to get used to the new house. We are all trying to get settled into a routine.
Hi Patty,
I use crates but several people that have bought puppies from me and work have had great success with ex-pens. You can get them at a very reasonable cost I think about $40 for a 24inch one which is what I generally use for my mini's when we go to shows. You can put a bed in there and some safe toys to keep them busy while you are away... just make sure the routine is the same each time you leave whether it be a cookie for going in the pen or a special toy they only get when you go away I have found this helps a lot.
Good Luck :thumb:
Jen & the Crew
Jen, thanks for your input about x-pens. I am considering that. We are gone about 10 hours a day and I hate to kennel them, but an x-pen would give them room AND keep them confined. We are giving them their frozen, cottage cheese and peanut butter-stuffed marrow bones when we leave in the morning as a special treat. That keeps them busy for a while. I am going to see how they did today. If they have broken out again, I might call their vet and see if he can suggest or prescribe something to help the dogs get through this adjustment period. We have never had a problem with the dogs being gated in the past, nor has any one of them ever had separation anxiety, which is what I think we are dealing with here. I think that Willy and Alex are pretty much OK, although bewildered in the new surroundings. I am pretty sure its Misty who is up in arms.
Just stay home with them...... HA !!! Just kidding - I know that is not an option - wouldn't that be heaven if we all could !!!!
I am sure it is just the newness and the curiosity of searching out the new place. I would think a large x-pen would work - but I would be worried about them trying to climb over.
What did you try today?
Today we used a similar setup as yesterday, only the gate is in such a position that if they push on it, they will push against the door jamp. In other words, instead of placing the gate within the doorway it is just inside the door. And speaking of the door, we do not want to close it because we think the dogs (Misty) will scratch on it and do a number on it like they did Sunday......quite a bit of paint was scraped off the trim.
I understand about not closing it - I am sure she would scrach it badly.
Maybe the positioning will help them from breaking out of jail today.....let us know !!!!
I think the ex-pen would probably work and if you are afraid of them climbing out you could get one with a lid I know that cherrybrook has the best selection and they carry both the mesh and wire lids but I am not sure they are the cheapest in town -
http://www.cherrybrook.com/store/SearchResults.aspx?CategoryID=723&viewmode=normal
Also some other things to try would be Bachs' Rescue Remedy you can put a few dropper fulls in their water bowl and also give them a few drops strait from the bottle in the mornings before you leave. There is another product called Calms that I have also had good success with it has some of the same ingredients as the RR but it is a pill... I call them "happy pills" LOL I would probably try something like this before I went for anything prescription.
Here is a link for Rescue Remedy
http://www.ihealthtree.com/bach-flower-remedies.html
and one for Calms
http://www.carealotpets.com/item-detail/?ItemID=000000000002182
Jen & the Crew
Thanks for the leads, Jen. I am going to the feed store right now, and see what they have for anxious dogs. I know we have Rescue Remedy at our Fred Meyer store, too. I will also look for x-pens around here. I hope my three were good today and didn't break out, otherwise I'm going to need some Rescue Remedy for myself! I just hate the fact that my dogs feel uneasy.
I use an x-pen every day. My dogs do well with it.
Gwennie can climb out, but she won't if the boys are in there with her. If I put her in there alone, she'll make it out though. If you have escape artists, you'd probably need one with a topper.
Hi Patty! Belated congratulations on the move into your gorgeous new home! :hello2: :hello2: I am just so happy for you! I have no advice on your current dilemma but it sounds like your on the road to getting them settled in. Hopefully the adjustment will be quick!
Can't wait to see pictures of your house furnished!