If you want to become a new dog owner, you may wonder whether you should use a playpen or a crate to train your pup.
You may have seen both displayed in stores and are wondering whether you should invest in one or the other or if you need both to prevent stress on your dog during potty training.
This blog post will explore the difference between playpens and dog crates and when each is most effective.
We’ll also discuss whether you need to purchase a playpen for your puppy and where the best place is for it in your home.
Finally, we’ll talk about how long your puppy can be left alone and where the crate and puppy pen can go in your home.
Playpen vs. crate: Everything you need to know about both
Below is everything you need to know about puppy playpens vs a puppy crate.
Playpen vs. crate, what’s the difference?
If you are confused about using a dog pen instead of a dog crate or vice versa and want to learn more about popular dog products, keep reading. Both options are covered in detail below.
What is a puppy playpen?
A puppy playpen is typically an enclosed area made of metal or plastic gates (similar to baby gates) to create a safe space for your puppy to play and chew within your home.
Playpens can give you a much-needed break from having to watch your dog so intensely while they are inside your house and active.
A dog pen is a temporary solution for keeping your young dog safe while alone, but many puppies will outgrow the need for one once they understand how to behave inside the home.
What is a dog crate?
On the other hand, a dog crate is made to create a calm den for your puppy and has a door that can be closed to confine your puppy in a small space to assist you and your dog with house training, separation training, and chew training.
A dog crate is the perfect sleeping space for most puppies, and many adult dogs continue to use their dog crate to rest throughout their lives.
Adult dogs will see their dog crate as an escape from the hustle and bustle of an active family or use it for comfort when left alone in the home.
When and how to use a playpen
Using a playpen with a dog crate
Crate training is essential to housetraining a puppy. However, you can also use a crate and playpen together to give your dog a controlled environment to play in.
If you intend to use a playpen, you can place your young dog directly into the play area and let them have a safe chew toy to play with while you are nearby.
Using a confined area allows your puppy to burn off energy without worrying about destructive chewing in the house.
When using a dog pen, it is best to pay more attention to how often you let your puppy out for potty breaks. Young dogs are more likely to potty while they are active and playing.
Using a playpen alone
It is not recommended to use an exercise pen instead of a dog crate for a new puppy. Don’t use the products interchangeably. They have distinct purposes.
Many pet parents find that when their puppy is properly crate trained, they enjoy going into their dog crate for naps and downtime.
If you use only a playpen for your puppy, you can miss out on teaching your puppy the essential life skill of being comfortable inside a dog crate.
Every dog will need to spend time inside a dog crate at some point in life, whether it’s a vet appointment, dog daycare, or boarding. Your dog will handle these situations much better if comfortably crate-trained.
Potty training with a playpen
Playpen training isn’t the same as potty training your young puppy.
Using a dog exercise pen with puppy pee pads is not a permanent solution to potty training your young dog.
Unless you intend for your furry friend to always use the bathroom in a specific place inside your home or apartment, it is best to teach your puppy not to relieve themselves inside the house at all during this young, impressionable stage of your dog’s life.
Be cautious and know dogs learn bad habits as quickly as they learn good behavior.
If you want to housebreak your puppy quickly, you can help it learn to alert you when it needs to go outside by using potty bells combined with crate training. You will simply teach your puppy to ring a bell to alert you when it needs to go outside.
Don’t leave a bored puppy in a playpen all day
Another thing to consider before you purchase a puppy pen is what your puppy’s schedule will look like. Your puppy pen should give your puppy a safe place to chew toys, exercise, and learn to be alone for short periods.
Don’t plan to leave a puppy alone in a puppy pen for several hours or an entire night.
Puppies are curious and social animals and will want to spend time with you and go outside frequently to explore.
Every minute your young puppy spends inside a dog pen is a minute they are not getting outside to learn puppy socialization and explore their world.
When to use a crate (and why it is essential)
Crate training is one of the best ways to teach a puppy not to soil the home but to enjoy personal space and downtime.
Crate training is also essential to keep your new puppy from chewing on inappropriate items (cords, furniture, shoes, etc.) and can help save your young dog’s life.
If you have the correct size dog crate and give your dog a positive experience while crate training them, you will have more success in every other area of your puppy training routines.
Do you have to get a playpen for your puppy?
A puppy playpen is an excellent option for a young dog. It can complement your other home training and give your dog a fun area to chew toys and play.
Dogs naturally love to explore and are safer in a playpen than left to roam freely in your home.
However, your canine companion will want to be with you throughout the day and will not want to spend their entire day inside a playpen.
Consider this when deciding whether to use a dog enclosure inside your home.
How long should your puppy be left in the playpen?
A dog pen is not the same as a crate when it comes to preventing potty accidents in the house.
Dog enclosures are usually a much larger space for your puppy to play in, meaning they can quickly potty on the floor and play in another area without being bothered by their accident.
Unfortunately, this means you should only briefly leave your puppy in the play area.
When crate trained, a young puppy can hold its bladder for up to two hours at a time, but with a dog pen, you will have to be more aware of your puppy’s need to get outside for a potty break.
FAQ
Where should you set up a puppy playpen?
You can set up a puppy pen anywhere in your home, anywhere you feel it is safe for your puppy to be left.
Dog pens are an excellent option for many dog owners to give their fur babies a confined space to roam and chew without worrying about what the puppy is getting into or doing.
Do you need a crate if you have a playpen?
Puppy training usually involves crate training due to the effectiveness of the puppy enjoying the small space to enjoy sleeping, which generally will prevent a puppy from seeing a crate as a potty area.
On the other hand, a puppy pen can cause your puppy to become confused about where to relieve itself, as it can quickly soil one spot and play in another.
Where is the best place to put a crate?
For day training, place the crate in an area of your home where the family spends a lot of time, such as the living room or kitchen. Being close to the action makes your puppy feel less isolated and more comfortable in their crate.
For nighttime training, you can keep a small crate in your bedroom to help put your puppy at ease during those first few weeks while it adjusts to its new environment.
What is an excellent alternative to a playpen?
The better option would be to have your puppy on a leash tethered to you throughout the day. This way, you can include your puppy training into your everyday routines.
Use the hairdryer, vacuum, broom, or other household items. You can use positive rewards like treats to teach your dog to become familiar with these routines and give them the necessary socialization instead of having them alone in a pen chewing on a toy.
Remember that puppies also sleep most of the day and will not need to be with you 24/7 if you use a crate during nap times.
Should you let your puppy roam the house?
Don’t let your puppy roam the house unattended.
Puppies are naturally curious, strongly desire to chew, and cannot hold their bladder for long.
Due to these natural urges, you should always supervise a new puppy or use a dog enclosure to protect them from harm.
Is a playpen worth it for a puppy?
Playpens help pet parents keep their puppies safe and give them the necessary playtime. But don’t rely on them.
Don’t confine a puppy in a playpen for extended periods. Doing so can lead to behavioral problems, and your puppy will outgrow the need for a playpen over time.
Finally, thoughts on deciding on a puppy playpen vs. a crate
You can use either puppy playpens or dog crates to help train your new dog.
A playpen is an excellent way for pet parents to give their puppy a designated space to play and chew safely while also teaching them to enjoy some personal space and downtime.
Crate training is essential in puppy training to help your puppy become a well-adjusted adult dog.
Heather Lipson is a writer and lifestyle blogger at The Heather Lipson Blog, providing advice on dog training, family life, and home improvement.