So, having finally posted an introduction yesterday & mentioned M&M were jumpers... Today Milly decided to jump out of their pen She's only 15 wks & the pen is 1 meter high so the pen is now useless & I've had a quick change round in the utility to make it safe to now move them to there! She's started jumping at door handles, windows, dinner, anything I've never experienced such a determined jumper - any tips most welcome...
@JulieT did you put a lid on your pen when Charlie was in recovery? I have vague recollections of a picture....
Yes, indeed. I have a puppy pen arrangement where the panels can make sides or a roof. I bought it by accident, and it turned out to be fabulous. It really just turns a pen into a massive crate. Although, that's not all that convenient, as massive crates aren't all that convenient! Still, here is the system: http://dogpen-margothedog.deal-net....y-play-pen-96cm-x-192cm-with-roof-panels.html
But anyway, yes, if a puppy is a jumper, a pen doesn't work (unless you are prepared to cope with one with a lid, but they are much trickier to accommodate in the home - because you can't walk through them). You need a crate or a safe room. Oddly, Charlie never jumped out of his pen. Even when he was almost an adult dog and could just step over his puppy pen he would stay in it. I have him in a 1m pen now. He can easily jump 1m, but he just doesn't. Thankfully!
Thanks for the link @JulieT but as you say it's essentially a massive crate. I'm happy enough giving up on the pen, it's just I thought I'd have until at least 6 months with the 2 of them safe in the pen! The landing out of the pen must have been a hard one as it's onto a tiled floor. My intention was always to move them from the pen to a 'safe' room. The problem is I wanted to make some amends to the room but have just had to go with for now, it's safe at least. However, she's going for & succeeding in getting the door handles so as the utility door doesn't have a lock I having to wedge it until OH is back on land to do some DIY. She did initially jump at me but I've managed to stop that. Anyone with suggestions to stop the jumping at doors etc? Otherwise the garden fence is going to come into questions soon...
When she jumps at doors does it 'work' for her? Does it open the door? Even sometimes? If so, this is what you have to stop by whatever means you have to do so. You have to stop her getting a reward by the door opening. You have to do that for a very long time so the behaviour becomes 'extinct'. If you can't do that, then keep her away from doors when she is not supervised.
No it has never 'worked', until today with the change of set up she got a result on the utility door so it will now be wedged when they're in there.
Why is she jumping at the door then? For attention? Frustration? There are no exceptions to learning theory - she jumps at the door because she gets something out of it. If you can't work out what, and prevent her getting that, then restrict access to doors.
Frustration & attention, they were ok in the pen when they wanted to be in there (sleepy) not necessarily on the odd occasion when I needed them to be in there so they would jump - this has now transferred to the door. I'm certainly not opening it or responding when she jumps (nor did I with the pen).
Ok, no attention and try to keep her occupied and calm at being alone, or not alone but just in a room (if that's relevant) for the frustration. So you can train being shut in a room the same as being shut in a pen. You want a relaxed, happy dog, who is settled. Short periods, long lasting chew, activity for calm on your return etc.
When I 'need' them in there & she doesn't agree or when they get over tired & need a time out it can take a little while for them to realise it's the right decision.
Ok, so sounds like you need to do more work on them settling whenever you need them to do so in their room. It's the same as crate training, you've just got to keep at it, and also don't be predictable about when you need them to settle, if you need them to do so sometimes when it's unpredictable. Best of luck with it.
