Dog Crates and Play Pens

Posted by Heather | Filed under Dog Tips, Dog Training, Puppies

When you bring your new puppy or dog home it is beneficial to have a dog crate or play pen. In my breeding program I like to use both. I put the crate inside of the playpen and leave the door open to the crate. Crating or using a playpen really helps in the potty training of your puppy and also is a safe place for your pup when you are busy and don’t have time to watch them.

There are many different types of dog crates that you can purchase at a local pet store or online. When picking a crate make sure that it will fit your puppy when he or she is full grown. Also make sure that it has a divider so that you can make the crate smaller so that your puppy doesn’t have the whole crate to use it makes it harder to train them. I don’t recommend the soft crates and playpens due to the fact that most puppies or dogs will put holes in them with their toenails. Then as they grow you can add more room to your crate. Dogs are den animals so they do like their crates. It is their safe haven.

Most playpens are made of steel,some have a black plastic covering over the steel. They do however have some made of plastic and of course there is the soft playpen that is not recommend. The toy breeds may do ok in the soft playpen or crate but not the bigger breeds. The playpens also come with doors so it is easy to get your pup or dog out.

I find that using the crate and playpen together is a great idea they have their crate for sleeping and resting but have the playpen for exercise,eating and playing. There is also enough room to put a pee pad or newspaper for puppy training. I love using this idea in my raising of puppies. Before they go to their new homes they have the idea of a crate and have been started on the puppy training.

Different Types of Crates and Playpens

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