Thank you all so much for your help. The pen worked great in my old apartment but I just don't have room in this new place. It is only a temporary move and it is very small. That's why I got rid of the big pen. Today, used one of the gates from the pen and blocked off the family room. Benji had run of the kitchen and the hallway. As always, had some ties, food, water, and toys at his disposal. NO ACCIDENTS OR RIPPED UP BOOKS TODAY! I came home and he was sleeping in his crate with the door open. No mess inside his crate either. I am so happy. So...maybe he just has to get used to the freedom....keep him constrained to the kitchen till I open the family room again. I might have given him too much freedom right away in the new place.
As for all of the comments regarding crate training. Crate training is amazing. When he was a little puppy I crate trained him right away and at times left him there 8 hours....when I couldn't make it home. Most of the time he was not in there more than 6 hours. He loves his crate, it is his little condo and goes in it voluntarily. Highly recommended.
Again, thank you for all of your suggestions. I guess I just expected him to be all grown up by now but will have to wait another few months. |