Hi everyone we have a 10 week old girl golden Labrador we’ve had her for 3 weeks she’s is bringing us so much love it’s unbelievable. She sleeps every night in a pen which is locked shut every night she is getting out and messing in the kitchen (thank goodness it’s all tiled). We have a couple of puddles occasionally during the day but nothing else. Where are we going wrong?
If it's a pen with no top she's most likely climbing up and out. It would probably be better to use a wire crate.
Hi @Lottie I look after a spaniel that is able to open a crate and somehow he manages it without damaging the crate!! All I can suggest is trying a cable tie or some other type of clip. If she's clever enough to open the lock then she is probably clever enough to work out how to climb out too!! A crate maybe a better option?
Yes I think we might try a clip tonight. We dismantled the pen we thought if she’s getting out she’d sleep just in her basket in the kitchen - how wrong where we she cried all night - must feel more secure in there - thank you x
Where does she go during the day? At 10 weeks old she'll need to go to the toilet at least once during the night, so even if you lock the pen she'll still need to go. She probably doesn't want to go in her pen as she sees this as her space and doesn't want to soil it. The more you try and secure her in a space she doesn't want to soil the more anxious she'll get trying to get out. For a few more weeks until she is old enough to old on to her pee for longer you'll have to take her out to her usual toilet spot at least once during the night. Sounds to me that she's a very clever girl.
Thank you - we are taking her out to the toilet at frequent intervals during the day - thank you for your advice. Yes I think you are right she’s already very cute! X