[andymart]

Our male Bernese Mt. Dog puppy is a little over 9 weeks old and I can't figure out what to do with him between about 5-8pm. Here's the deal -during the day he loves our fenced in side yard and dog house and dirt and toys, and I check in with him every 3 hours or so. We do the play, lunch and training thing etc. etc.

We have a "pen" set up in the house with a tarp and blanket etc. on the floor in the family room where we hang out in the evening. He HATES it. So, he want's to be out with us, but I can't trust him with the peeing and chewing thing yet. So, he cries and barks and slams himself up against the pen. I wait until he stops before I let him out, and then I take him right outside to his pee spot.

But if I put him back in the pen, we will do it all over again (about 20 times) until I give up. Finally he gets tired and will fall asleep (but not in the pen), but on the fireplace bricks.

Anyway, I am going crazy and don't look forward to the evenings. I can play with him for awhile during those hours, but not for 3 hours.

Any suggestions?

He is GREAT with his crate in our bedroom at night, and will sleep from 11:00pm-6:00am.

[Amaya-Mazie-Marley]

He is repeatedly doing this because its gotten him out before. I know its horrible to watch, but just correct him or stop him, don't take him out. He has learned that if he does that, you take him out. I'm not really sure how to stop him from banging up against the cage, I would maybe look into online.

[andymart]

The couple of times I didn't take him out, he peed on the floor. So, I never know if he really has to go out, or he is faking me out.

When he goes crazy, I take him out and carry him directly outside to his "spot". So it's not like I take him out to somewhere fun.

[briteday]

how about tethering him to you with a long leash? That way he can't wander out of your sight. You can keep an eye on him for the classic signs of needing a potty break... circling, sniffing, etc

[tirluc]

the tethering is a good idea but not w/ a long leash......the leash should be long enuff for him to lay down at your feet while you are standing and no more until he has good signals that he needs to potty.......this way you can teach him and bond w/ him at the same time.....it's called umbilical cording and is very useful for many things.....