Hi Everyone,

My Petria is 6 months old today and I am wondering how long I should keep the playpen for her. Petria's bed is in there and she has her meals there. I leave the door open all day so she can go in if she chooses and she does if she is wanting to sleep, although at the moment she is asleep on my lap as I type this. I think the playpen is similiar to a crate although my pen is quite large and doesn't have a wire top. Petria seems happy as it's "her space". Just wonderinghow she would react if I took it away and just left her bed, toys and water. For those who saw my previous post about Petria annoying me whilst I had my dinner, that has been resolved and she no longer screams around me.
thank you very much,
Joan.

Is there are reason why you would want to take it away? If she seems happy there, perhaps you should just keep it set up? Unless it is taking up too much space or something like that. Is the size adjustable at all?

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I would start moving her water bowl and food out side and still give her the chance to learn where it is...once she understand the water and food on no longer in her space(pen) than I would take it down. My parents keep their door open to the x-pen for their small chihuahua and that is where she has food water and her potty are but she can free roam the house when ever...so i would give it a shot also...good luck

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Jessica

My dogs like knowing there is a place (crate) where they can go to get away from things. Georgie my pomeranian goes into his crate on his own all the time for 'breaks' or to snooze while I am cooking. My cats even go into his crate to sleep. Zoey's crate is on top of Georgies so she will go into Georgies on occasion. But I would leave the door open then maybe fold up one side. Then take it down.

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Thank-you Sugarbaby for my awesome siggie!

well..... it was my dogs who ate a hole in the drywall when they were about 8 months old...
and, picked at a flaw in the kitchen floor until it became a hole... and ate the
corners off my lovely solid wood coffee table. All while I was home and "watching" them!
(I was probably at the computer on Chi Ppl!) Our pen is staying!

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"My little dog - a heartbeat at my feet." - Edith Wharton

Yes all animals need their own personal space like us human do...so Yes i have to agree...

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Jessica

Thanks everyone for helping me. the playpen is quite large, it's about 4ft across. I've never had one for my other Chihuahuas. I bought this one because I was not sure how my other Chi would react to the new addtion as Jacinta is 3½ kilos. However, she has been very gentle with Petria.. I think I will leave the pen up as it's not really in the way and she seems to be happy and probably feels safe or secure in there. I leave the door open all day too and she can go in if she wants to. I only close it at night.
Petria is not very well I don't think so I think I have to start another thread, she seems to have diarrhoea.
Love
Joan

oan.

Welcome to the forum.

I hope your dog feels better soon! I'd leave the pen up too - Mine love their crate, its their own little space

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