The next big change we are going to make is our next pen expansion, coupled with the installation of the litter pans. In the last module we had just moved our puppies from the whelping box to the weaning pen. They were not super mobile and so didn’t need a much play space, nor were they coordinate enough to enter and exit a formal litter box.

This week I’ve removed the first baby toilet and installed the litter pans.

For the first few hours I keep the potty pads in the pans, just to help remind the puppies what the area is for, and to access that the puppies can navigate into/out of the litter pans. Once I’m sure the puppies can physically handle getting into the litter pans I dump litter (I use StandLee Alfalfa Pellets) right on top of a used pad. One 40 pound bag of alfalfa pellets will fill two of my 24 x 24 inch pans. At the same time I’ve also added three or four crates (in this configuration I can fit 4 small crates (doors removed). Lastly, I enlarged the play zone. So the entire pen is 2 panels wider (my expen panels are 24 inches wide) and still 6 feet across the back.

Here crates have been added, the play zone is getting bigger, and the pans will soon be filled with hay pellets.

Don’t worry about accidents, these are puppies after all, and some potty outside the box is inevitable

After putting the pellets in. Generally if pellets are introduced before puppies are eating much solid food they won’t be ingested.

How will you know when to expand?

1. Puppies are running and playing with each other and the enrichment items you provide.2. Puppies are using the toilet zone and misses are starting to be found closer to the toilet.3. Puppies are not urinating in their Resting Zone.Note! We are NOT expecting perfect toilet use before expanding. Baby puppies are NEVER going to have perfect bowel, bladder, and cognitive control and we only set ourselves up for discouragement when expect that. Try hard not to hyper focus on IF there are accidents outside the box but instead on HOW MANY accidents and their LOCATION.

Weaning Pen: Expanding And Adding A Formal Litter Box.