Playpen Training a Puppy
Most experts recommend crate training and most puppy parents are familiar with the concept. Slightly less commonly discussed is the idea of playpen training.
Not every puppy parent is ready to get up multiple times per night or if they are a heavy sleeper, they may not hear the puppy in time to take them out to go potty. Maybe you don’t have a private yard, but need to keep your puppy out of public areas until their vaccination series is complete. If you live in a high rise condo, perhaps the idea of an elevator ride every couple of hours doesn’t appeal to you. Whatever the reason, maybe playpen training will work better for you and your young puppy. Rest assured, starting out with a playpen and potty in the house does not mean they won’t learn to potty outside. So read on to decide if it is the right choice for you.
Puppy playpen training is not the same as crate training, just like a playpen is not a large crate. Each has a different purpose and therefore each one can be used differently. I recommend using both the playpen and the crate as complementary tools for your puppy training.
Playpen training your puppy is relatively easier than crate training and results are faster. This is mainly due to the fact that the puppy doesn’t feel confined in a playpen as he would in a crate. It also helps that they are familiar with a playpen, crate and potty setup with their siblings here.
Advantages of a Puppy Playpen
A playpen provides a safe and controlled environment while you are busy, absent or asleep. Puppies have no house manners and can be in an unsafe activity while you are not supervising.
The playpen can give you pace of mind while you shower or take a phone call or anytime you are not able to watch your puppy. Unlike the crate, the playpen offers a large space where the dog can actually move around. This does not mean the playpen is better than the crate. They are totally different tools.
It can be used to safely separate a puppy from older dogs or a cat in the house. This is especially important around older dogs who may need a break from the youngster. Puppies tend to bother older dogs since they do not yet respect personal space and are very curious. In order to keep the older dogs calm, you need a place to confine your puppy and at the same time give him enough space to move around and play.
The playpen can give your puppy a place to potty at night when it is difficult for you to take them out. Or if you live in a climate that is very wet or cold, potty training especially at night can be especially difficult.
It is also a good backup for a puppy that needs to be left alone for 3 or 4 hours which might otherwise be too long in a crate.
Playpen Setup
Playpen training is similar to crate training in some aspects; since the two are confined spaces the puppy needs to get used to being in. First you need to decide on a size. Something that gives the puppy as much space as possible but isn’t too large for your home. The sides should be large enough that they can’t get over them. They will need an open crate, a middle play area and a potty area. Most playpens can be adjusted in size so if you are moving it from room to room base your decision on the largest room. If you don’t want to give your puppy too much space from the start you can get the large playpen and adjust it as he grows.
A crate will be used in tandem with your playpen. It can either be placed completely within the playpen or the playpen can attach on either side of the opening so the crate extends the playpen area. Either way, you will be starting with the door clipped open (or removed if it is a plastic crate) so the puppy can go into their own space when they want to. We use wire crates here, so your puppy will be most familiar with that when he goes home.
There are several options for a potty area. An artificial turf mat with a tray, a litter pan with pine pellets or pee pads placed in a tray with clamps. More info on potty options is at the end of this page.
Playpen examples:
Playpen with crate extension
This setup allows you to have easy access to the crate from outside the pen.
Crate within the playpen & an artificial turf potty area
This setup allows the puppy to use the potty as needed and is good for when you may need to be gone for more than 3 hours.
One of Our Puppy Playpens:
This is an example of one of our puppy playpens. Obviously you don’t need this large a setup for your own puppy, but it gives you an idea of one of our setups.
Note: There are two XXL artificial turf potty areas on the left side and two to three open crates for them to sleep in. We were cleaning one when this picture was taken. Toys and unique sensory items are rotated throughout the day and the whelping pads are replaced and washed twice a day.
Whatever setup you use, you will want to protect the floor beneath with a tarp or piece of cut vinyl from Home Depot or Lowes, a potty area, a bed, their crate and toys.
Whenever you plan to train your puppy to be in a new place or learn something new you need to prepare some training treats and toys. Dogs get used to new places and get to like them simply by associating good things and memories to it. I recommend using training treats and not regular treats or food because they are low in calories and will not disturb the puppy’s diet and daily caloric intake. You also want to choose the toys you give your puppy carefully, you can’t just toss in the playpen any toy you bought and leave the puppy in there.
Introducing the Puppy to the Playpen
You don’t want your puppy to be shocked by just putting him in a place or a structure he never been to before and leave. You want to install the playpen while your puppy is around and let him explore a bit while you’re working on it. Once installed have the puppy on a leash and around the crated let him sniff it a bit. Dogs are usually curios and will explore new things and show interest. Once that than you want to lure your dog to the playpen. To do that you need to use the training treats. Don’t close the door as soon as he gets inside but lure him with treats to the other end of the playpen. bend over and give him treats and use verbal praise. Being in the playpen is not as difficult as the crate since the puppy has plenty of open space; however, you need to take it slowly if you rush your dog into the playpen he will reject it.
Now that you’ve introduced your puppy to the playpen you can move on to the next step…building that happy relationship with it. Your dog needs to have a good time in the playpen to grow into liking it. And that starts with training treats and toys. Use interactive toys and play with your puppy in the playpen. You also need to use verbal praise and get touchy; rubs are a great way to reward the puppy and make him feel great. Do not leave him alone in the playpen from the start and keep in sight. Talk to your puppy and toss a treat once in a while to reward him if he is calm in there. Chewing toys do a great job distracting the puppy in the playpen when you are not around.
Feed the Puppy his Meals in the Playpen
Food is the easiest and most effective way to make a dog like a place. Serve the puppy his meals in the playpen and you can keep it open if the puppy is still not used to be in it yet. Slowly after each meal, increase the time your puppy spends in the playpen. You can use the chew toy to keep him busy in there. At first, you can feed him while you sit next to the playpen and gradually start moving around the room until he’s used to feeding while you’re gone. As a puppy, your dog normally has three feeding sessions per day so you’ll have three training opportunities every day.
Leaving the Puppy in the Playpen for Longer Periods
If you’re following the steps correctly by now your puppy is fine with being in the playpen. Enjoying his favorite toy and meals inside, not panicking with the door shut for short periods.
Now is the time to increase the time he spends alone in the playpen. Toss a toy in there -a chewing toy as interactive toys are only used when you are there hence interactive in the name- let the puppy play around and leave the room but walk around from time to time without necessarily talking or interacting with the puppy. The best time to do this is after the meals where the puppy is more relaxed and a bit sleepy.
The puppy should by now start taking naps in the playpen depending on if he is crate trained or you decide not to crate train at all. If the puppy is crate trained he should continue to nap in the crate. However, if you decide not to crate train your puppy he can sleep in the playpen.
Leaving the House With the Puppy in the Playpen
Once your dog is ready for you leaving the house while at his playpen, start slow by short periods outside and go on gradually. Get your puppy in the playpen like you are used to do and then just leave for a short period.
Do not make a scene while you are leaving with goodbyes and drama. Just put your puppy in his playpen five minutes before you leave and walk around for 5 minutes so he doesn’t associate the playpen with being left alone and then just leave. You can slowly increase the period you leave your puppy in there gradually as he gets used to it.
When you get back in the house don’t go directly to the puppy you need to let him calm a bit before you interact with him. most dogs will get excited when you come back but you don’t want that as it grows into other behavioral issues. Just walk around for 5 minutes change or do whatever you need to do and then go to your puppy.
Unlike the crate where you can’t leave a young puppy for long periods; the puppy will be fine in the playpen and you can go out for longer periods. Just make sure your dog is ready before you leave for a long period so the puppy does not feel left alone form the start and associate that with the playpen itself.
Playpen Training a Puppy at Night
You can use the playpen during the day then a crate at your bedside at night and take them out to eliminate as needed. If using this method, take them to the yard or have a separate potty area on a deck or patio so they learn to go “outside”.
For the first few nights, it would be better if you install the playpen in your room. You don’t have to but it would be better if the puppy starts to whine at night or cries. At night it is better not to leave any food or toys in the playpen; your puppy needs to know that bedtime is only for sleeping nothing else.
If you want your puppy to sleep through the night you need to exercise the puppy before he goes to bed. Puppies do spend most of their time asleep, up until 18 hours per day at first. and even when grown they sleep about 12 hours a day. So you need to exercise your puppy enough and have a walk outside to eliminate before going to sleep. That way your puppy gets used to it and he gets tiered a bit before he sleeps and he is less active.
Young puppies can’t handle too much exercise so 10 to 15 minutes is plenty for a young puppy. They do get too excited and won’t show their fatigue so be careful not to overdo it.
Crate and Playpen Combined
The combination of a crate and playpen is absolutely the best option especially for working dog owners who have to leave their puppies for several hours before they can come home to check on them.
The crate and playpen combined gives the puppy the possibility to enjoy the space of a playpen and at the same time when he needs to; the privacy and safety of a crate.