Isn't an xpen pretty much just like a large crate though?

Thanks Jen...I'll check that link out. I'll keep you posted

I'm sorry, I can't help as I have occasional issues with my own and she's older than your little one.:(
Good luck and please keep us posted.

Thanks for reading anyway....if you find something that works please let me know...:)

I feel your pain! PetCo does sell the pads with the tray for a reasonable price if you have one by you.

PETCO Training Pads & Tray Combo Pack at PETCO

I haven't tried it since my little one doesn't move the pad around. I just got my almost 6 month old lil gal Fiona a week ago. When i am at work she goes on the pee on the pad but I can't reward her. She won't poo on the pad, that can be anywhere. But when I am home I take her out at scheduled times and she will go out side. My problem in the morning. The first 2 mornings I placed her on the pad and she went. I praised her and gave her a special treat that she only gets when she goes on the pad. She would go within a few minutes so I thought this is the way we'll do it since I would never make it down the 2 flights stairs and out of my apt, building in time for her to go outside. The last 3 mornings though...she has sat there for 30 minutes on the pad and nothing. The SECOND I turn or blink too long she is off the pad and peeing on the floor. I just don't know what to do.
Tomorrow I am going to wake up and take her outside see if that helps. I do use natures miracle no more marking clean up but at this point I should just wash the floor with it and really I hate the smell of the stuff.

I bought the same pad holder as I was having trouble with our Kiko doing the same thing yours is doing, I got it at Pet Supermarket for $24.00 but had to return it because he managed to pull the pad out of the holder every single time and was chewing it to pieces!!
so in our case it did not work, hope you have better luck with it !!

Lesley, I think once she is settled in to her new home, she will be okay. Leaving her at night is much better than during the day, IMO. I think it will work out in the end to be in your favor. I have the opposite problem with Saydee, because my DH is home all day and lets her have the run of the house.:rolleyes: I feel if she was contained more, her potting issues would be gone. Good Luck!

No food or water for 12 hours??????

This is just way to long to leave a pup alone anyhow. If she came from a kennel she is probably used to going out a doggy door. I run into that ALL the time with older pups. But they can be trained. But not if your not there.

I guess my only suggestion other than waiting to own a dog until you have regular hours would be to line the area with news paper. Or get a couple of wee wee pad holders

I never suggested withholding food and water for 12 hours....you may want to read again what I posted:

Are you leaving her food in the ex-pen? If so, at 6 months if she's a good healthy weight, she probably doesn't need the food while you're gone, feeding 2-3 times a day is enough. I would feed and potty her before you go to work and don't leave food down for her

The OP is working nights, do you get up and feed your 6 month old healthy puppies at night? If the OP's dog is eating 2-3 times during the day, I don't think withholding food only during the night will hurt.

Also, your suggestion that Lesley wait to get a dog is not really beneficial as she already has the pup and is looking for advice on what to do now.

Why don't you guys work on training them to use the dog litter?? I trained my little chihuahua to use it, she caught on fast!! However I have been unable to train my yorkies to use it.

One was 7 months old when I got her and so I didn't bother, I just let her out potty and she caught on. And Pennie was a sick pup so had a late start.. I did try but she would NOT poop in it.. so I gave up.. I should of kept at it.


I don't use kitty litter or the expensive dog litter. I use wood pellets made for pellet burning stoves. They are about 4.00 for 40 pounds. And the pee does not smell. I change it whe it turns to sawdust. Works awesome!

Well what is the puppy doing while she is sleeping after those 12 hours shifts? seriously..It's to long

:) Thanks Jen...

I have another dog that does fine while I'm at work so its just a matter of time that my pup gets used to it too. My schedule will never change..I am an RN that works nightshift. During the day, however she does eat 2 x day and poops twice.

Pups need to have constant access to fresh water. Please don't remove it from him. He could end up dehydrating.

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I think everybody who has ever owned a puppy can appreciate your efforts and commend you on adopting a puppy mill rescue. I know your efforts will pay off for both of you. I don't know if it will work for you but I feed mine 2 x a day and keep water down all day. They usually poop within a few minutes after I set the food down and they eat. Almost clockwork now. They are 11 months old now. I'm sure she will get in routine with you. Good luck!:)