One item that should be considered a must-have for your new four-legged family member is a puppy pen. There seems to be an endless list of things to buy for a new puppy, and the dollars can really add up. Just be sure you leave some room in the budget for the things that will be useful for years to come and mean the most for your pet’s well being and adjustment.
Puppy pen training serves a couple of basic needs. Housebreaking puppies is easier if they have a place to call their own. Dogs are den animals by nature and won’t mess in their places if given a choice. Getting them used to their domain early is a great way to get the right start. They can also mean sanity for you. Having an enclosure where your pup can stay when you are away means he’ll have a safe place to hang out, and you won’t worry about him getting into things that are dangerous for him or destructive for you.
There is a wide variety of products in this category to choose from. So, what’s available? Wire puppy pens are very popular and especially useful if you have more than one little one at a time. Four walled varieties with a top come in a selection of sizes, the most common being 24H x 36W x 36L, 36H x 18W x 30L, 36L x 24H x 30W, 36H x 36W x 30L and 48H x 48W x 30L. These also come in styles that have no top or bottom, which are great for outside. Plastic puppy pens are also available like this. These are light weight and easy to clean. Many have panels that can be added on for additional animals or to grow as your pet grows.
There are many things to consider when making your choice. If you will be traveling, you will need an airline approved plastic crate style enclosure. And it’s always a good idea to have plenty of puppy pads on hand to absorb any accidents your pup may have in the bustle of traveling. If you’d like to maintain a play yard type environment that can grow as your pet does, consider an expandable exercise model. If you have a large breed, you may want to consider the materials carefully, the stronger the better. You may find that owning more than one to serve various purposes will be the most practical decision. Do your homework and get the wisdom of trainers, manufacturers and other pet owners.
Can you effectively accomplish housebreaking without a pen? Perhaps. However, it’s a bit like trying to fix something with the wrong tools. It’s doable; it just takes longer and might be more frustrating. So, along with the cute squeak toy and training treats, make sure you pick up the perfect puppy pen for your new canine cutie.