I use the pen to keep other dogs out, not to keep the dam in. If the other
dogs had access to the puppies, they would eat the puppies' food, and I
would have some fat dogs on my hands. I free-feed the dams, but not the
rest of the dogs. I have also had some protective moms who don't really
want other dogs to have access to their puppies. And while I would trust my
cavaliers not to hurt the pups, I'm not as trusting with some of the Chin.
Granted the dam has to ask to be lifted out of the pen, but like you said,
they usually want to be with the puppies anyway. And since the pen is next
to my computer in a room next to my kitchen, all she has to do is stand on
her back legs and I will know she wants out. If I happen to be in another
part of the house, they will give a little bark if they want out. Usually
they are only outside for a minute or two, and then they run right back to
the pen to be let back in. The pad on top of the crate allows them to watch
over the pups, but is a refuge for when they get tired of overly playful
pups nipping at their ears.
Leanne
----- Original Message -----
> I am not sure why Leanne puts a pad on top of the crate, inside the
whelping box for the mother. My mothers are free to come and go as they
like, and still spend 95% of their time in the box with the babies til at
least 3 or 4 weeks old. Even then they spend 75% of their time with the
babies.
>from day one my other dogs are allowed to sniff and explore the puppies, in
fact they are encouraged to do so
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