New puppies are full of mischievous energy, and their endless curiosity means they can get their little noses into all sorts of trouble. Of course, that’s how they learn and is part of growing and developing – but you need ways to keep them safe!
An expandable dog pen can be a great help for those times when you can’t give your puppy 100% of your attention. You get peace of mind knowing exactly where your puppy is, that they can’t wander off too far, and what they’re playing with – but they have the space to play safely while still feeling that they are beside you and part of the family.
Follow our helpful tips for everything that you’ll need to give your playful puppy their perfect dog pen.
Which playpen should I choose?
You should be able to find a puppy playpen at larger pet shops, or you can buy them online.
Look for an expandable pen you can add sections to that can grow with your puppy - and with high enough sides to stop your adventurous pup climbing out and escaping easily!
They come in various sizes - and usually have additional panels you can put in as your puppy grows - so choose the right one for your puppy’s breed/type and of course the size of your room!
A puppy playpen should have wire or slatted sides, so your puppy is safely protected but they still get to see what’s going on in the world around them, and don’t feel that they are isolated or locked away from you. They can also see what everyone is up to and prevent FOMO (fear of missing out) that can easily become a cause of frustration in puppies.
Where should I put my puppy playpen?
Your puppy’s playpen should be in the room where you and your puppy spend the majority of your time during the day.
A playpen restricts the area your puppy is in – which means that on the occasions you can’t keep your eagle eye on them all the time, you can keep them safe and secure, know where they are, know that everything within their reach is puppy proof, and allows you to get on with your work without worry.
Using a playpen in the garden
Puppy playpens can also be used outdoors in the garden as well as indoors which is great if you want to spend some time outside but plan on catching up on some reading or your emails, and don’t want to have your eyes constantly glued to an exploring pup. If you do use them outside, try and have some of the playpen in the shade if it's a warm day however and make sure your puppy has constant access to clean fresh water.
Never leave your puppy alone – especially if there are things in the garden that are unsafe or not puppy proof – as a bored and adventurous puppy can, with a bit of effort, climb out.
What should I put in my puppy playpen?
- Comfortable bedding. Puppies can be bundles of energy, but they also need lots of sleep and often puppy naps happen suddenly! Line some of the play pen with veterinary bedding – which is soft and comfortable (and also easily washable). Have several pieces so you can swap them when one needs a bit of a cleaning.
- Growing up is thirsty work, so your puppy will always need access to clean drinking water. A non-spill dog bowl can work best in a play pen as it won’t get knocked over if your puppy is playing with a toy.
- Toys and enrichment. You want your puppy to enjoy their time in their puppy playpen so give them a range of toys to play with. Puppies explore with their mouths, and safe chew toys that you can stuff with food are a great way to provide enrichment and distract your gnawing puppy away from your furniture and fingers! These toys will also help the physical development of teeth and jaws for when they’re older.
- Think about other surfaces you can put in the pen. Puppies learn through their paws as well as their eyes, ears and noses, and having different surfaces to walk on and play on can help build their confidence. Cardboard, off cuts of carpet (watch out for frayed edges), fake grass… be inventive.
- Add things that will help with their habituation. Things that make a noise can be useful (a pile of old oven trays with treats in them as an example), or toys and treats hidden in a large cardboard box… Make the pen a fun place to be and to explore – otherwise it is boring and why should your puppy be happy in there!
How long do I need to use a play pen?
Your puppy won’t need a puppy play pen forever, so don’t worry about it being a permanent feature in your home. Once your new puppy has learnt all the life skills needed from an adult dog – so they are toilet trained and you know that they can be trusted not to get into mischief the second your back is turned – the puppy pen can be a thing of the past. Don't throw it away however – it might come in useful when travelling, visiting friends, or having guests who aren’t comfortable around dogs.
How to clean a puppy playpen?
- Make sure all bedding is kept clean – so make sure everything you use in the playpen is washable or disposable.
- Clean up any toileting accidents with an enzyme based cleaner as it will be directly on your carpet as pens do not have a base!
- The wire itself can be wiped with a damp cloth if anything gets on it such as food or treats.
What are the benefits of using a puppy playpen?
Using a puppy playpen comes with many benefits, for you and for your pup. Let’s delve into the benefits of using a puppy playpen.
1. Reduces your stress
Sometimes when we are with our puppy, we need to do things that mean we can’t be totally focused on them. Maybe you are working or reading or catching up with friends on a video call. For these occasions there is nothing better than knowing where your puppy is at all times. You can see through the playpen and are able to see what they're doing and that they're safe. For them, they can also see you, so they don’t worry about where you are or the dreaded FOMO (fear of missing out) which can cause frustration and lead to separation related issues.
2. Offers more freedom
For many owners who don't like the idea of using a crate, having a puppy playpen gives them a larger area for their puppy to relax and be safe in. Playpens come in all shapes and sizes so if you want more space, you can choose one that encompasses the space you’re after. Or if you need one that needs to fit in an exact area, then there are puppy playpens for that too!
3. Keep them in a safe contained space
When you are going through the toilet training stages of puppyhood, it’s important to be able to prevent mistakes during the day, and having them in a contained area encourages them to hold on and prevents them sneaking off into a corner of the room when they need to go to the toilet.
The pen gives them some freedom but means they can’t get into mischief while you are busy and your back is turned.
Most of the time, your puppy will be out and about with you - learning about their new world but a pen can be useful for when you need some relaxation time – or perhaps if you have visitors or your children are playing ‘non-puppy’ games so you can keep your puppy secure and close by without you having to have your eagle eye on them all the time.
That’s our short guide on the benefits of a puppy playpen and as you can see, they can be great additions to your household. So, if you are toying with the idea of investing in one for your puppy, then we think this guide will have given you all the answers necessary. Next, find out our puppy toilet-training tricks with this easy-to-follow guide.
Puppy playpen FAQs
Purina Editorial Team
New puppy? Read these next:
