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5 Essential Considerations When Choosing a Playpen for Your Pup
Photo Copyright: cynoclub Most dogs don’t
know where to channel their energy. As a result, they end up chewing on your
shoes or ruining the furniture instead. To make sure this dreadful scene
doesn’t happen in your home, your pup needs a pet playpen where he can safely release his pent-up energy. A playpen will
also serve as an exercise area for your pup. It’s a place where your dog will
feel comfortable to do whatever he wants especially if you don’t have the
luxury of time to look after him. But before you
rush out to buy a playpen for your beloved pooch, below are some important
things to keep in mind: 1. Needs
Depending on what
your needs are, you will have to pick between indoor and outdoor playpens. l
Outdoor
pens – These are
usually bigger pens that come in the form of a sun screen and a wire mesh. If
you’re going on a trip with your pooch, these are ideal as you can easily set
them up and dismantle afterwards. l
Indoor
pens – These tend to
be lighter and usually smaller. If you have ongoing renovation work in a section
of your house, these will help keep your pooch secure in a designated area. Whether
it’s an indoor or an outdoor playpen, what’s important is that you can
easily clean it. If you have a busy schedule, you can also leave a dog potty
inside the playpen to make cleanup faster. 2. Size
A pup loves to
play and squirm so find a playpen that
has the perfect size for your dog’s behaviour. This is crucial if you’re
trying to keep your pooch confined as he may end up breaking out of the pen. Dogs vary in sizes
which is why you also need to think about the growth rate of your puppy’s
breed. If your pup looks small now, that doesn’t mean he won’t grow into a
large dog in the future. For instance, a Labrador won’t be able to run freely
inside a playpen that is the same size as that for a Chihuahua. A crammed-in dog
won’t be content and happy inside his playpen. Consider choosing a playpen
which is expandable and can change its shape to fit into different spaces. 3. Materials
Most dog playpens
are made out of metal and plastic. Metal pens are stronger than plastic and are
more chew-resistant. But if you plan to travel or go on a holiday, soft playpens
with mesh windows are ideal as they can be stored flat. Remember that soft
playpens aren’t chew-proof so you have to watch your pup for any destructive behaviour. Discourage chewing by
providing an assortment of treats and chew toys for your pooch to gnaw on
whenever he gets bored or anxious. 4. Price
More often than
not, the cost of a playpen is a good indicator of the quality of the product. As much as
possible, don’t pick the cheapest playpen you can find as it may be made out
of substandard materials that will easily break or come apart. This is a recipe
for disaster especially if your pup goes running around the house and
accidentally ends up ingesting toxic material. 5. Safety
The good thing
about a playpen is that it’s a portable fence option for pet owners that are
still renting and/or can’t fence in their yards. It’s a cost-effective
solution that allows your dog some outside play time while also being kept
secure. All you have to do is set it up while you’re gardening or relaxing
with the assurance that your pooch won’t go wandering off and hurt himself. The size
of your dog and how boisterous his breed tends to be are important things to
take into account as well. Additionally, if you have children, you may want to
make certain that you have a tall, sturdy pen that will help keep both your pup
and kids separate. Quality rules
Each time you buy dog products, you should always make sure that
they’re of a high quality to ensure that your pooch won’t destroy them with
one use. A pet playpen will
be a big help in keeping your dog safe. But keep the above tips in mind before
you purchase one so you can rest easy knowing that once you get a good quality
playpen, you can keep your dog secure and content. AUTHOR BIO Andrew Kevan has
been the Account Manager at Sandleford Holdings since 2016. He studied at Monash
University and completed his Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in Zoology.
Andrew is the owner of a beautiful Rottweiler named Lady who is constantly
spoiled and loves her Fido & Fletch Large Pet Home.
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