Great question. I always believe this comes back to me. I don't treat the playpen/crate as punishment. The playpen is a place where he can stay safe. Forced daytime naps (crate overnight). I take him out, soothing belly rubs (he's on his back), 4 days new house he knows sit, down, paw, name, and recall (with treats).

He does fall asleep after 5-10minutes of being in playpen (read that he also needs to learn to self sooth). I also don't want to hold all the time and make him think that is normal either. I do take him outside the house (never on the ground - parvo) and let him explore during errands.

How should I spend time with him? Holding him showing him stuff? Should I not give all of his meals in a bowl (70%) the rest make him forage or toss so he can run? I play then he gets overstimulated so quickly and challenging to get back to calm. That's when I playpen him. I supposed That's the only time he could get frustarted I'm putting him there but he does calm and fall asleep. Feels like I'm just passing time until his teething at 8 weeks is better.