EXERCISE PENS and OBEDIENCE TRAINING
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| Outdoors, the x-pen sets aside for pet "business" |
The exercise pen is a set of eight connected wire panels 24, 26 or 48” high. We set them up outside to section off an area we wish the dog to stay out of, or stay within, to do his business. They are not strong structures and do not hold the dog unattended. They merely mark out an area. You can also mark out an area by keeping your dog on leash to do its business and by going to the same spot all the time. Inside the house the x-pen also marks out an area but we do not usually use as a business area indoors.
We use the x-pen outside to teach the dog to do its business on command, or to go in a small space without having to run free. We use it for extended travelling and visiting, and for other sanitary reasons like ease of clean up or for a sick dog. The advantages of all, if not apparent, are that once you have instructed your dog to do its thing and it is done, that is that taken care of. You are now ready to go on an outing, or you can now comfortably lock your dog up or leave it for a while when you are otherwise busy, or you are now ready to go visit family or friends who do not want your dog to pee in their house...and so on. And, the army does it for their dogs so it must be good. Side note, if that is not enough, horses do this so dogs can too.
Teaching a dog to relieve itself when told is an easy thing when the same routine, place, and words are used. Until trained, always take the dog to the exercise pen on leash. If you do not have an x-pen, keep the dog on leash to do its job. If nothing happens put him back in the crate for 15 or 20 minutes and try again. See that he gets a drink if he wants. It might take a long time to get results but it will happen and when it does be sure to say “WHAT A GOOD DOG” with sincerity,(dogs spot a fake instantly) and true relief. Expression in your voice (or body if you have no voice) is of the utmost importance in dog training. At first it is very exaggerated then reduced to a more normal level of gesture.
