Basic Weaning Pen Set Up

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Moving the litter into the weaning pen. As our puppies move from the transitional phase into the socialization period (around week 3), we will be moving them from the whelping box to the weaning pen. This is our litters first big transition and while transitions are stressful we them to be delighted with the changes they discover, so they can start to develop resilience. We also want these changes to encourage behaviors we want, while discouraging behaviors we do not want. This saves us time and frustration for us, down the road. Goals:1.We want our puppies to learn that creates are enjoyable.2.That crates are not toilets, and toilets are not crates.3.Good things often happen to puppies who choose to enter crates.Let’s look at your weaning pen set up from your puppy’s point of view, the PPOV.Consider why your puppy might choose to rest inside a crate, what might make your play alley a fun place to play? And just how will your puppy know what to do with that litter box? When we look at our set up from our puppy’s point of view, it becomes much easier to design our spaces to encourage the learning we want.Setting up your Weaning Pen:While we won’t cover the exact particulars of setting up your weaning pen, there are a few suggestions to make your pen as efficient as possible.1.When moving your puppies from the whelping box to the weaning pen, try to avoid making the weaning pen too large at the beginning. Puppies are not coordinated enough to move quickly, and giving them too much space may lead to poor toilet area use and that can cause accidents in the crate. Instead of starting with the largest pen possible, try starting smaller and increasing the pen size each week.2.Set your crates up opposite of your toilet, and enlarge your pen from the crate side, avoid moving your toilet area around.3.Consider setting up a resting area where you eventually plan to put your crates. By setting up a resting zone first, you can see if your puppies are using the toilet area and not the resting area to void. So, if your puppies are toddling, but not coordinated enough to enter and exit the crates easily, consider putting a bed area where you plan on putting the crates for the first week.4.If at all possible, when placing your crates along the side opposite the toilet area set them up such that you can access the backside of the crates from outside the pen. This will allow you to reinforce puppies for being inside the crate with social interaction and treats without entering the pen.

Example: Second enlargement, still using pads with slow maturing puppies

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

Weaning Pen Set Up & Moving Puppies (Core)