My Bichon cries as soon as he's put in his playpen
C
Catchou
At night, Milo sleeps in bed with us. To stop Roméo from falling, we put him in his playpen right next to us. The problem is, he starts crying and barking non-stop for ages. I find it really hard to just leave him to cry. On top of that, there's sometimes a bit of rivalry between them. Milo, who has always been quite chilled out, doesn't always appreciate the little one’s presence. How can I help them both settle in? How can I gradually get Roméo used to sleeping in his pen without him crying so much, while making sure Milo still gets some peace and quiet? Thanks so much for any advice or for sharing your experiences.
Translated from French
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Hi there,
I understand your struggle. The first thing to keep in mind is that you shouldn't try to get Roméo to accept his playpen by leaving him to cry for long periods. He needs to learn gradually that it’s a pleasant and safe place to be.
To get Roméo used to his pen, you can leave it open during the day and set up some comfy bedding, a few toys, and some treats inside. When he goes in of his own accord, give him some calm praise. Start by closing the pen for just a few seconds while staying close by, then very gradually increase the time as long as he stays relaxed. At night, place the pen near your bed so he can see and smell you. You can then slowly move his bed further away once he’s settled.
If he cries, first check that he doesn’t need to go out for a wee, that he isn't too hot or cold, and that he’s comfortable. If he panics or gets really stressed, go back a step rather than letting him exhaust himself crying.
As for Milo, he has his own routine and isn't necessarily going to enjoy Roméo's presence all the time. Make sure he has a bed or a spot where the little one can’t come and bother him. Avoid forcing them to sleep together or leaving them to work out their tensions on their own. Keep an eye on their interactions and calmly separate them if either of them shows signs of discomfort: repeated growling, a stiff body, staring, trying to run away, or teeth chattering.
The goal is for them to learn to live together peacefully. With patience and a regular routine, Roméo will gradually come to like his pen and Milo will get his peace and quiet back.
Best of luck to you and your two Bichons!
Fantine Rouquette
