Whether you have a puppy or have recently added a new dog to your family, management, such as this pen, is the key to success. Instead of allowing your pooch to make mistakes (like going potty in the family room or getting into the trash), it’s nice to know that your dog has a safe place to settle when you aren’t actively watching her. Plus, all dogs need a place to decompress, nap, and hang out when you have to leave the house, and a pen like this may be just the ticket. This is an excellent example of how a family can manage their dog or puppy.
In this setup, there is a heavy duty exercise mat underneath the pen, which is attached with zip ties to the wire crate. The mat prevents the pen from sliding on the floor and it is also waterproof – which is perfect in case the pup has a potty accident. The pen has vertical slats only, which prevents most dogs from climbing out. The wire crate can be adjusted to fit your growing pup by moving panel inside.
Of course, you can add toys and chewies to your heart’s content – but be sure that the dog isn’t left alone with items that it can consume or choke on without supervision. Please note – a pen does not replace training! It’s simply a safe place for your dog to rest and decompress when you are not directly playing and interacting with her. Training your dog will help you to have a good relationship and will ensure that your dog is a polite member of your household (and society!).
Management with Kids
For families with kids and dogs, using a setup like this is especially valuable. When pup gets too rough or when kiddos need to let off steam, parents need to know that they have somewhere safe where their puppy or dog can hang out. It’s very common for families to question whether or not having a puppy was a mistake, especially when the nips and scratches lead to their kiddos bleeding and becoming frightened. It’s crucial that dogs have a safe place to retreat when kids are loud or when they need to decompress, themselves. It helps when we see both kids and dogs as individuals who both have needs and feelings!
Pens are for Dogs AND Kids!
Don’t get me wrong! Pens aren’t just for dogs! In fact, some of the best pens can contain either your dog OR your baby / toddler. In this example, from one of my Facebook followers, the dog is free to roam and enjoy her Kong wherever she likes. The baby is safely contained and has plenty of toys to interact with. Containment is NOT punishment. It’s simply a way to ensure that both kids and dogs have their boundaries respected…and it gives parents some peace of mind.
Using pens to manage your dogs and kids is ideal for when you are in the room but have to:
- fold laundry
- cook dinner
- check email
- make a phone call
- take a break on social media
Want to create your own setup like the first one above?
I’ll earn a few pennies if you use the links below to purchase these items, at no extra cost to you.
- Heavy Duty Mat for under pen: https://amzn.to/30alhyO
- Wire Dog Crate: https://amzn.to/2QdxM8d
- Metal safety gate or playpen for toddler/dog with vertical slats only: https://amzn.to/34ZxFAA
