How Will Your Puppy Use It?
What playpen you end up choosing could very well be affected by what kind of usage you expect to get out of it. There are several different ways that you can utilize an indoor puppy playpen, so let’s take a look at them:
Training Purposes
Many owners use a playpen as a way to enforce good behavior and train their puppies in obedience. There are many ways to go about this. For example, the pens can be used to help them with their toilet training, or they can be used to get your pup used to the crate (for when you leave for work).
Barricade
Some dogs require a little extra reminding about boundaries and where they are and aren’t allowed to go in the household. Playpens can act as the perfect barrier to show them what areas of the house they’re allowed in. This can be a great way to help the dog understand the rules.
Purely For Play
Some people just want their dogs to have a good time. Playpens are perfect for allowing your dog a little time to themselves, where they can let loose, chase their tail, and play with all their favorite toys in a safe and secure environment.
It’s entirely down to you what purpose you want your new playpen to serve. If you have different ideas in mind, you may want to go for a pen that is versatile and can serve several different purposes. This is why you’ll see so many models come with extendable panels, additional accessories, and reconfiguration options to suit your needs.
Playpens that have been designed specifically with training in mind will very often come with additional storage pouches and pockets around the outside. These are perfect for storing treats and toys to aid you in the training of your puppy.
Related: New Puppy Checklist (EPIC Guide!)
The Size, Weight & Height Of The Playpen
These are three really important factors that you have to take into consideration when purchasing a new playpen; the size, weight, and height of the pen you want. Let’s take a closer look at the reasons why you need to have already decided these details before you start looking:
Size
Depending on what breed of dog you have, your puppy could soon grow into quite a large young adult. If you want your dog to have adequate room as it grows, it’s best to get a pen that can grow with him (via extending panels). On the other hand, smaller breeds will always stay small and will love having a pen that’s just the right size for them.
Weight
Depending on what material your pen is made out of, the weight could differ vastly. This is important for a few reasons, the first of which is the puppy being able to move the pen around on the floor if it’s too light. Secondly, portability is something you may want to think about. A lighter pen is perfect for taking on day trips and moving around the house.
Height
Much in the same way as size, the height of the playpen should be determined by what breed of dog you have and how quickly they will grow (or how long you want to continue using the playpen). Thankfully, several playpens come with options for different heights and it’s usually fairly easy to find the right size for your pup. Height can also affect storage and portability.
Deciding the desired size, weight, and height of your playpen before buying is absolutely essential. Make sure you take measurements or do a little research to figure out the specifics of what you need.
If you’re not entirely sure what size your dog will grow to, it may be ideal for you to go with a playpen which can be added to as time goes on. Once your dog outgrows it, you can purchase additional panels to fit into your existing pen and increase the play area within!
Related: Best Puppy Foods
What Material Is It Made Out Of?
Most puppy playpens are made out of one of three materials. It’s really important to consider which material will be best suited for you and your dog before making any kind of purchase.
These are the three most common materials used in their construction:
Mesh
This is a great option because of how light it is. You’ll be able to watch your pet through it at all times and it’s extremely well-ventilated. The only downside with mesh is that more destructive puppies will definitely find a way to chew through it.
Metal
This is the sturdiest of materials for a playpen and usually the most secure choice. It does come with a few drawbacks, however, such as the weight making it hard to maneuver and very cumbersome. If this is a problem for you, you’re best to go for something a little lighter.
Plastic
With plastic playpens, you get the best of both worlds. It’s strong, rugged, very durable, and still easy to move around (they’re very lightweight). Plastic also has the added benefit of not rusting (if you decide to take it outside where it could be rained on). One downside of plastic playpens is the fact that naughty puppies can sometimes chew the weaker plastic models - so make sure you go for a quality brand when purchasing!
All options are completely valid if they’ll suit your puppy and you’re comfortable with it. In our opinion, a good strong plastic playpen is probably your best bet. If you can afford a heavy-duty metal pen, however, and don’t mind the extra weight when carrying it, this might be a good option for you, too.
Something else to think about is the optional top panel which comes with many modern playpens. These are usually made from metal wire, soft-top canvas, or mesh material. These can be great to stop excited puppies from trying to escape out of the top.
Safety Features Of The Playpen
As your puppy may be spending a fair amount of time inside the playpen, it’s important that it’s secure and safe for them. We don’t want any accidents happening or any damage to be caused to your home.
Here are a few safety features that you need to consider and check for before buying:
Locking Mechanisms
There are several different types of locking mechanisms that playpens use. E.G. zippers, latches, touch-release etc. It’s entirely up to you what option you go for, just make sure something is in place that’ll stop your puppy from running straight out.
Rubber Feet
The best indoor playpens come with rubber feet (or similar material) which help to reduce movement along the floor and stop the feet of the pen from scraping the surface of your floor. These aren’t essential, but if you think your pup may become excitable and move the pen around a lot, it’s worth checking if the model you like the look of has them.
Screws/Bolts
It’s very rare to see nowadays, but always check on pictures and read up on the playpens you like to check there are no exposed screws or bolts. These could potentially injure your puppy if they rub up against them or try to bite and chew them. It’s also possible your puppy could get their collar or harness caught on these types of items, so make sure to remove them before allowing your dog inside a pen - just in case.
There are plenty of other elements you need to consider before making your purchase, but we’ve covered the vast majority of them. If you remember to keep everything we’ve taught you in mind, you should have no problem picking the best indoor puppy playpen.
That brings us to the end of our guide. All that’s left now is to see what our final conclusion is.
