All it takes is a few seconds of distraction for your beloved new four-legged friend to cause havoc! If you’re lucky, it’ll only be a little bit of mess that’s easily cleaned up; if you’re not lucky, your puppy’s destructive nature could come out in full force resulting in damage to furniture, belongings, and any else you hold dear. Or, even worse, they could do themself a mischief and end up with a serious injury.
All of the above are scenarios that any puppy parent will want to avoid, which is why having a puppy playpen is an excellent idea. Not only will it keep your belonging safe, but it’ll also keep your puppy in one piece too!
A puppy playpen is a enclosed space that allows your puppy freedom yet confines them to a safe, secure, contained area, i.e., the best of both worlds. Plus, it doesn’t matter how little or large your puppy is because they come in all sizes and cater for every breed possible.
After all, being a puppy parent is a 24/7 job, which means it’s impossible to keep a close eye on them every single second of every minute of every hour of every day. Of course, crate training is always an option, but it’s not suited to all owners and breeds, so having a playpen is undoubtedly something well worth considering.
However, this leads to the obvious question of ‘which playpen should you choose?’. Luckily, we know a thing or two about puppy playpens, and in today’s piece, we’re going to discuss them in greater detail as well as furnishing you with our top picks should you wish to get one for your beloved little furry friend.
Buying a Puppy Playpen? Here are our Top Tips
The primary function of a puppy playpen is to ensure your puppy is contained within a specific area. Of course, depending on the size of your puppy, this may not be all that difficult to achieve. As your puppy begins to grow – both in terms of size and strength – you’ll need a playpen that is up to the task, i.e. durable enough to withstand anything your puppy decides to throw at it, i.e. chewing and trying to escape!
When looking at puppy playpens, here are some things you should take into consideration:
Durability and materials: A puppy playpen must stand up to anything your puppy can throw at it; therefore, it must be constructed from materials that are durable and are not going to be harmful to your puppy should they chew on it.
Size and height: Where size and height are concerned, a puppy playpen needs to do two things: be tall enough to stop your puppy from escaping and being big enough to give them sufficient room to play (and not feel too closed in).
Ease of assembly: A playpen that’s easy to put up and collapse down is essential regardless of whether you’ll be using it on a daily basis, on the go, or as and when required. After all, who wants something that’s a pain in the backside to assemble!? If it’s too difficult to put up and down, you’ll be less likely to use it.
Is it portable and easy to store: When your puppy’s playpen is not in use, you certainly don’t want it taking up space in your house, so opting for a model that is easily collapsible and stores easily is always a good idea.
Can you customise it?: Some models are constructed from interlocking section, so if you want, you can add extra panels to increase the size or change the shape of the playpen. If this is something you’re interested in (it’s a good idea if your puppy will grow rapidly over their first year), then look out for models that are easily customisable.
Also, it’s essential to consider your home’s layout and the room(s) in which you will use the playpen (or the outside space if you’re going to use it outside). The vast majority of outdoor playpens can be used indoors, but not all indoor puppy playpens can be used outdoors, so it’s best to double-check prior to purchase.
Using Your Puppy Playpen for Training
Crate training is globally recognised as being one of the most effective training methods for puppies an adult does, with most canines – whether young or old – getting to grips with it in a matter of weeks. When used correctly, your puppy will think of their crate as a secure and safe place to sleep, relax, and generally call their own. Crates are best used for keeping your dog under control at night; however, playpens are a better option for daytime hours as the provide more freedom. It is important to remember that playpens should not be used for potty training.
The Best Puppy Playpens UK: Our Top Picks
Yaheetech 8 Panel Puppy Playpen
Why we like this puppy playpen:
– Heavy-duty construction and powder coated with non-toxic paint, meaning it can be used indoors and outdoors.
– Easily customisable with lots of options thanks to its easy detachable panels that can be arranged in a myriad of different shapes and set ups.
– Comes with stakes to help secure the playpen down when outdoors.
– Is easily assembled and disassembled and can be stored flat and compact. Ideal for those who have less space available for storage.
– 80cm high panels mean that it’s unlikely your puppy will be able to escape unless they’re a very big puppy. And, even when they reach that size, they will already be trained not to jump over the panels (hopefully!).
– Very spacious.
Suitable for all: all breeds and sizes.
Bunny Business 8 Panel Puppy Playpen
Why we like this puppy playpen:
– Can be used both indoors and outdoors, thanks to its durable construction.
– Its eight panels can be formed into any shape you like making it both customisable and versatile, ideal if you want to fit the playpen into an odd-shaped area.
– Super easy to put up and take down, plus it can be compacted down, making it easy to store in even the smallest of spaces.
– The panels are 80cm high, meaning it’s unlikely that your puppy will be able to jump over them, and even if they grow to a size where they can, they’ll have already been trained not to!
– Spacious design.
Suitable for all: all breeds and sizes.
AVC Designs Foldable Puppy Pay Pen
Why we like this playpen:
– Lightweight playpen ideal for small dog breeds.
– Really easy to put assemble and disassemble and can be used indoors as well as outdoors.
– Includes eight easy to put together panels, meaning lots of customisation and versatility.
– 60cm in height which makes it great for smaller dog breeds.
– Secure door meaning your puppy won’t be able to escape now how hard they try!
– Very spacious.
– Great budget for those on a strict budget.
Suitable for all: Small breeds.
Best Puppy Playpen in the UK: Final Thoughts
The above three puppy playpens will be suitable for all breeds and budgets, so no matter which dog you’ve got, they’ll do the job whether you’re looking for an indoor, outdoor, or dual playpen. If you are worried about your puppy escaping or jumping over the top, it’s always wise to train your puppy not to do so; after all, it’s better to be safe than sorry, even if the playpen you buy is exceptionally safe.
