A new puppy is a lovely addition to your family. Lovable and affectionate, they can fill your life with joy and happiness. Besides being cute and playful, bringing a new puppy home can be stressful and messy, both for you and your pup. A little training can ease the whole welcoming process. As most experts usually recommend crate training, many pup parents aren’t familiar with the concept of training using a playpen. Are dog playpens safe, and what are some of the advantages of using one? Read on to learn how to successfully train your beloved pup using a playpen.
What’s a Puppy Playpen?
First things first, you must know what’s a puppy playpen to know how to use it to train your dog. A playpen is a type of dog enclosure that’s perfectly safe for your furry pal. Since little puppies have no manners initially, they can engage in unsafe activities in seconds while you aren’t supervising them. A dog enclosure provides the safe and controlled environment your puppy needs while you’re not around.
Is a Playpen Better than a Crate?
Technically, they are two different enclosures that can’t be compared. Experts sometimes recommend using a training method combining the two of them. For example, you can use the playpen for daytime training and the crate for bedtime. A playpen offers a larger space where the dog can move around compared to the crate, where it can only lay down. So, the playpen may be the better option for you if you aren’t comfortable with closing your pup in a crate.
Other Advantages
Another advantage of the puppy playpen is that you can use it to safely separate it from older dogs or a cat in the house. Puppies neither understand nor respect personal space, which can bother older dogs. Separating the puppy in a safe area where they can learn and explore will keep the older dogs calm. A playpen is a good option if you want to leave your dog alone for a longer period of 3-4 hours, which is too long for leaving it in a crate.
How to Set Up the Playpen?
Consider a Crate as a Part of It
A playpen is similar to crate training because the two are confined spaces the puppy needs to learn to be in. The most successful training method involves combining the two, so you should have a crate to make it a part of the whole playpen setup. You can either put it on the inside of the playpen area or make the playpen as a crate extension. In both cases, keep the door open so the pup can get used to the setup. A portable crate is also helpful for travelling with your dog.
Consider Size
When deciding on these dog enclosures, the size is an important thing to consider. The playpen should be big enough to give the puppy as much space as possible. Yet, it shouldn’t be too large for your home. Its sides should be tall enough that they can’t get over them. Some playpens are adjustable in size. This is good if you want to move the area from one room to another, as well from inside your house to the garden or a bigger balcony. These grow with your pup, making them more cost-efficient in the long run. The size of the crate should be compatible with that of the playpen.
Set Up the Area
Next, you want to set up the playpen training area. You need a middle play area, an open crate, a dog bed and a potty area. Regarding potty, you have several options. Some of them are an artificial turf mat with a tray, a litter pan with pine pellets or pee pads placed in a tray with clamps. Whatever option you choose, make sure to protect the floor beneath using a tarp or piece of cut vinyl.
Prepare Treats and Toys
Dogs get used to new places and get to like them only if they associate them with good things and pleasant memories. That’s why you have to have supplies like treats and toys prepared in advance. Training treats are better than actual food treats, as their low calories won’t mess with your puppy’s diet or daily calorie intake. Also, choose your toys and give them to your puppy carefully. Avoid throwing whatever you’ve bought and leaving your puppy as this won’t give you the result you seek.
Introducing Your Puppy to the Playpen
Wondering how do I get my puppy to like his playpen’? Putting your pup in a place they’ve never been before and leaving it there will only shock them and cause them anxiety. Use your dog’s natural curiosity to make them like the playpen. Install it while they’re playing around and once you finish, let them in and around to sniff it a bit. The next step includes luring them into the playpen area using treats and verbal praise. Take it slowly because once the pup rejects it, it will be harder to get them used to it.
The process of getting used to the playpen can be compared to building a relationship: start it with treats and toys and let them gradually grow into liking it. It needs a lot of talking (read praises), touching (read rubs) and exciting toys to make it successful. Don’t leave the puppy alone from the beginning, and use a chewing toy for distraction when you’re not around.
Feed Your Puppy inside the Playpen
Your puppy will normally have three meals per day, which makes for three training opportunities every day. Food is the easiest way to make a dog like a place – making the playpen the main feeding area should do the trick. You can sit with your puppy at first and start moving around when they get used to it. Gradually increase the time the puppy spends in the playpen with every meal.
Other Playpen Training Tips
Potty Training Made Easy
A playpen makes potty training easy, as it provides a large enough inside area where your dog can ‘go out’ without having to go out. This is especially useful at night, on rainy days or when you have to leave them alone for a longer period.
Night Training
A crate is very useful for night training, whether it’s placed inside or attached to the playpen. If you’re a hard sleeper and there’s a chance you won’t hear your dog crying at night, ensure to leave the dog open so it can go potty. If you want to skip crate training, you can use a dog bed. Just make sure you take the toys out of the playpen so your pup can learn it’s time to sleep and not play. Instead, exercise your puppy before putting them in the crate/playpen, so they’re tired enough to sleep.
Leaving Them for Longer Periods
Don’t leave your puppy for a long time from the start. Instead, slowly increase the time you leave them in. At first, make sure to be around, and when they’re ready, you can leave the house completely. Only that way your pup will feel happy and safe. It takes time and effort, but the love you’ll receive back is well worth it.
A new puppy is a lovely addition to your family. Lovable and affectionate, they can fill your life with joy and happiness. Besides being cute and playful, bringing a new puppy home can be stressful and messy, both for you and your pup. A little training can ease the whole welcoming process. As most experts usually recommend crate training, many pup parents aren’t familiar with the concept of training using a playpen. Are dog playpens safe, and what are some of the advantages of using one? Read on to learn how to successfully train your beloved pup using a playpen.
