Best Dog Playpens in 2022

Last update: December 29, 2022

Are playpens good for dogs?

There is no definitive answer to this question as it depends on the individual dog and its needs. Some dogs may enjoy being in a playpen as it provides them with a safe space to play and explore, while others may find it confining and prefer to have more freedom. Ultimately, it is up to the owner to decide whether a playpen is a good option for their dog.

Can a dog sleep in a play pen?

A playpen can be a safe place for a dog to sleep, but it is important to make sure the playpen is escape-proof. Some dogs are able to jump or climb out of playpens, so it is important to choose a pen with high sides. It is also important to ensure the playpen is sturdy and will not collapse if the dog jumps or climbs on it.

Can a dog stay in pen all day?

Yes, a dog can stay in a pen all day, but it is important to provide them with enough food, water, and toys to keep them occupied. It is also important to let them out for a potty break every few hours.

Can a puppy be left alone for 8 hours?

No, a puppy cannot be left alone for 8 hours. Puppies need to be taken out frequently to relieve themselves and to get exercise. They also need to be socialized and should not be left alone for long periods of time.


Midwest Foldable Metal Exercise Pen Review:


Benefits: - Sturdy construction and weight - Completely collapsible for simple storage or travel - TWO door latches to better protect against bends caused by your dog pushing against just the top or bottom of the door - Fully painted and coated without exposed rough edges, etc. - Easy to customize exercise pen shape to allow for multiple setups for your specific room or purposeCons: - The included hardware is a little fragile (with enough force, the plastic edge supports can come off rather quickly). - The welding clamps that join adjacent panels have some sharp edges that might potentially injure someone.My Own ExperienceIn order to provide what I believe to be the ideal indoor environment for a puppy still learning to be crate trained and potty trained, I needed to find a high-quality and fairly priced exercise pen for my rat terrier. Basically, I wanted my dog to be able to go with me on our regular road trips to visit our extended family's house and to be able to stay indoors in a safe and enclosed environment when I am unable to be at home. However, I'll go into more detail about this later. To illustrate this setup, I've also supplied photographs.First impression: I bought the 36" size just in case, as our dog is anticipated to weigh around 35 pounds. After doing some research, I discovered a few models that were equivalent in terms of measurements, features, and reviews. However, I ultimately chose the MidWest Exercise Pen due to its generally positive ratings and affordable price. It arrived in a fairly flat box and required very little setup. The exercise pen is already assembled when it is shipped, but it is plainly collapsible when it arrives. All I had to do was unfold it and raise it to the right shape. To strengthen the construction, it has plastic edge supports that hook over following panels (think of it as a plastic guard that prevents two consecutive panels from collapsing past a certain angle). It is not very hefty, so traveling with it is also definitely doable. I did not notice any exposed steel or jagged edges because the coating and paint completely cover all surfaces (unlike some other reviews). The fact that it has two door latches to prevent the door from being bent by your dog pushing on either the top or bottom of the door is another feature I enjoy. Additionally, the design makes it simple to alter the exercise pen to take on various shapes to fit your room (i.e., octagon, large rectangle, etc).I've been using the exercise pen for about a month, and I'm still really happy with it overall. My main issue, though, is that the welding clamps that were utilized to keep the panels put together were not as strong as I had first believed. If enough pressure is exerted, the plastic edge supports can come off quite easily, and the welding clamps are a little rough and have some sharp edges that could cut an innocent puppy. Since my puppy doesn't lean against the walls or get hurt by the welding clips, I haven't really had a problem with either of these things. Just observations, please.I am quite happy with the MidWest Exercise Pen and have no regrets whatsoever about my purchase. It is well-built, simple to "assemble" and collapse for compact storage and transport, simply adaptable to produce a variety of shapes, and reasonably priced. The only small issues I have are that the welding clamps have some sharp edges that might potentially injure people and that the accompanying plastic edge supports are fairly thin.Additionally, I bought an AmazonBasics Single Door Crate to complete what I think is the ideal indoor environment for puppies while you're away from home (the MidWest crate should work the same). I place the crate so that its door faces the interior of the pen, enclosing the pen on either side of the crate door with the remainder of the crate sticking out (the picture shows the setup). Use your usual keychain hooks to simply secure the Exercise Pen to the container (these actually came with the Exercise Pen). When I'm at home, my puppy may move about a secure contained space while sleeping and enjoying her crate thanks to this arrangement. In order to give my dog a place to relieve herself if she really must, I also placed a puppy pad in the far corner of the pen area. I've included a couple images showing the setup.



Midwest Foldable Metal Exercise Pen Review:


Benefits: - Sturdy construction and weight - Completely collapsible for simple storage or travel - TWO door latches to better protect against bends caused by your dog pushing against just the top or bottom of the door - Fully painted and coated without exposed rough edges, etc. - Easy to customize exercise pen shape to allow for multiple setups for your specific room or purposeCons: - The included hardware is a little fragile (with enough force, the plastic edge supports can come off rather quickly). - The welding clamps that join adjacent panels have some sharp edges that might potentially injure someone.My Own ExperienceIn order to provide what I believe to be the ideal indoor environment for a puppy still learning to be crate trained and potty trained, I needed to find a high-quality and fairly priced exercise pen for my rat terrier. Basically, I wanted my dog to be able to go with me on our regular road trips to visit our extended family's house and to be able to stay indoors in a safe and enclosed environment when I am unable to be at home. However, I'll go into more detail about this later. To illustrate this setup, I've also supplied photographs.First impression: I bought the 36" size just in case, as our dog is anticipated to weigh around 35 pounds. After doing some research, I discovered a few models that were equivalent in terms of measurements, features, and reviews. However, I ultimately chose the MidWest Exercise Pen due to its generally positive ratings and affordable price. It arrived in a fairly flat box and required very little setup. The exercise pen is already assembled when it is shipped, but it is plainly collapsible when it arrives. All I had to do was unfold it and raise it to the right shape. To strengthen the construction, it has plastic edge supports that hook over following panels (think of it as a plastic guard that prevents two consecutive panels from collapsing past a certain angle). It is not very hefty, so traveling with it is also definitely doable. I did not notice any exposed steel or jagged edges because the coating and paint completely cover all surfaces (unlike some other reviews). The fact that it has two door latches to prevent the door from being bent by your dog pushing on either the top or bottom of the door is another feature I enjoy. Additionally, the design makes it simple to alter the exercise pen to take on various shapes to fit your room (i.e., octagon, large rectangle, etc).I've been using the exercise pen for about a month, and I'm still really happy with it overall. My main issue, though, is that the welding clamps that were utilized to keep the panels put together were not as strong as I had first believed. If enough pressure is exerted, the plastic edge supports can come off quite easily, and the welding clamps are a little rough and have some sharp edges that could cut an innocent puppy. Since my puppy doesn't lean against the walls or get hurt by the welding clips, I haven't really had a problem with either of these things. Just observations, please.I am quite happy with the MidWest Exercise Pen and have no regrets whatsoever about my purchase. It is well-built, simple to "assemble" and collapse for compact storage and transport, simply adaptable to produce a variety of shapes, and reasonably priced. The only small issues I have are that the welding clamps have some sharp edges that might potentially injure people and that the accompanying plastic edge supports are fairly thin.Additionally, I bought an AmazonBasics Single Door Crate to complete what I think is the ideal indoor environment for puppies while you're away from home (the MidWest crate should work the same). I place the crate so that its door faces the interior of the pen, enclosing the pen on either side of the crate door with the remainder of the crate sticking out (the picture shows the setup). Use your usual keychain hooks to simply secure the Exercise Pen to the container (these actually came with the Exercise Pen). When I'm at home, my puppy may move about a secure contained space while sleeping and enjoying her crate thanks to this arrangement. In order to give my dog a place to relieve herself if she really must, I also placed a puppy pad in the far corner of the pen area. I've included a couple images showing the setup.



Midwest Foldable Metal Exercise Pen Review:


Benefits: - Sturdy construction and weight - Completely collapsible for simple storage or travel - TWO door latches to better protect against bends caused by your dog pushing against just the top or bottom of the door - Fully painted and coated without exposed rough edges, etc. - Easy to customize exercise pen shape to allow for multiple setups for your specific room or purposeCons: - The included hardware is a little fragile (with enough force, the plastic edge supports can come off rather quickly). - The welding clamps that join adjacent panels have some sharp edges that might potentially injure someone.My Own ExperienceIn order to provide what I believe to be the ideal indoor environment for a puppy still learning to be crate trained and potty trained, I needed to find a high-quality and fairly priced exercise pen for my rat terrier. Basically, I wanted my dog to be able to go with me on our regular road trips to visit our extended family's house and to be able to stay indoors in a safe and enclosed environment when I am unable to be at home. However, I'll go into more detail about this later. To illustrate this setup, I've also supplied photographs.First impression: I bought the 36" size just in case, as our dog is anticipated to weigh around 35 pounds. After doing some research, I discovered a few models that were equivalent in terms of measurements, features, and reviews. However, I ultimately chose the MidWest Exercise Pen due to its generally positive ratings and affordable price. It arrived in a fairly flat box and required very little setup. The exercise pen is already assembled when it is shipped, but it is plainly collapsible when it arrives. All I had to do was unfold it and raise it to the right shape. To strengthen the construction, it has plastic edge supports that hook over following panels (think of it as a plastic guard that prevents two consecutive panels from collapsing past a certain angle). It is not very hefty, so traveling with it is also definitely doable. I did not notice any exposed steel or jagged edges because the coating and paint completely cover all surfaces (unlike some other reviews). The fact that it has two door latches to prevent the door from being bent by your dog pushing on either the top or bottom of the door is another feature I enjoy. Additionally, the design makes it simple to alter the exercise pen to take on various shapes to fit your room (i.e., octagon, large rectangle, etc).I've been using the exercise pen for about a month, and I'm still really happy with it overall. My main issue, though, is that the welding clamps that were utilized to keep the panels put together were not as strong as I had first believed. If enough pressure is exerted, the plastic edge supports can come off quite easily, and the welding clamps are a little rough and have some sharp edges that could cut an innocent puppy. Since my puppy doesn't lean against the walls or get hurt by the welding clips, I haven't really had a problem with either of these things. Just observations, please.I am quite happy with the MidWest Exercise Pen and have no regrets whatsoever about my purchase. It is well-built, simple to "assemble" and collapse for compact storage and transport, simply adaptable to produce a variety of shapes, and reasonably priced. The only small issues I have are that the welding clamps have some sharp edges that might potentially injure people and that the accompanying plastic edge supports are fairly thin.Additionally, I bought an AmazonBasics Single Door Crate to complete what I think is the ideal indoor environment for puppies while you're away from home (the MidWest crate should work the same). I place the crate so that its door faces the interior of the pen, enclosing the pen on either side of the crate door with the remainder of the crate sticking out (the picture shows the setup). Use your usual keychain hooks to simply secure the Exercise Pen to the container (these actually came with the Exercise Pen). When I'm at home, my puppy may move about a secure contained space while sleeping and enjoying her crate thanks to this arrangement. In order to give my dog a place to relieve herself if she really must, I also placed a puppy pad in the far corner of the pen area. I've included a couple images showing the setup.



Midwest Foldable Metal Exercise Pen Review:


With the exception of one flaw, which I believe is crucial and demands immediate attention from the inventor, this is serving my toy puppy well. The entrance, adjustable configuration, and other elements of the pen are well-built and features I enjoy. The issue arises from the placement of the lock catch on the bars, which leaves a hazardous region in four locations where a persistent pet could harm their eye or something else. There is more room between the bars than in other locations on the pen, so my toy poodle kept shoving his face in there. The highly pointed lock ends extend into the gap between the bars and pose a serious risk of serious harm to the face, eyes, or paws.I changed the pen's orientation and padded the excessively pointy, exposed sharp edges. There are four extremely sharp edges on the right side of the lock, two at the top lock and two at the bottom on the right side of the door, and they are located on both the top and bottom locks. Can you image if the sharp pieces (4) and unneeded excess space between those uprights, in contrast to all the other uprights, caused your puppy to lose eyesight in his right eye? Making the uprights on the right side and the rest of the uprights equally spaced would be sufficient. Only the extra space on that side is the issue. PLEASE correct this before a tiny dog suffers serious harm!



AmazonBasics Foldable Metal Pet Exercise and Playpen Review:


First and foremost, the product appears to be of high quality and performs well, at least outside (where we are using ours). However, as several other people have already mentioned, the product description on this is flat-out WRONG! The square footage of one (1) set of panels arranged in a "square" design would only be 16 sqft, and even if you choose a perfect "octagonal" shape, you would only raise it by a little over 3 sqft, up to just over 19 sqft—far from the 64 sqft they claim to have! :-(After starting with just two (2) sets in a pseudo-octagonal shape, we quickly realized that we probably couldn't do long, straight sections of fencing as we expanded because the added length of the sides quickly diminished the stability of the fence along the long sections... even when using the included stakes! We have already purchased five (5) of these, and they are working well. As a result, we decided to zigzag the fencing, making sure to make small angles with each panel. These angles didn't need to be extreme—maybe just a 10–20 degree angle every panel—but they seemed to be sufficient to let us connect all five (5) sets into one much larger pen. This pen had zigzagged edges rather than square or octagonal edges.Here are the areas you would be able to accomplish by combining the sets, using a "square" layout, for anyone who is interested (but doesn't want to perform the arithmetic.1 square foot equals 16 square feet, and 2 square feet equals 64 square feet.3 = 144 sq ft, 4 = 256 sq ft, and 5 = 400 sq ftAnd now for the roughly "octagonal" areas you should expect...1 = 19 square feet and 2 = 77 square feet3 = 174sqft4 = 309sqft5 = 482sqftHope that was useful.



IRIS 24” Exercise playpen Panels for Dog Review:


To separate a space in my apartment for my dogs to stay in while I'm at work, I bought this dog playpen. The playpen is really well-made and easy to put together; you simply snap the sections at the hinges. My dogs are not little, but they are not small either, and they were unable to push the playpen over, crawl under it, or jump out of it. I enjoy the door because it gives the dogs a quick exit when I'm home instead of requiring me to lift the entire playpen or unhinges it.Despite all of these advantages, there are two items that didn't quite meet my requirements. Being a small person (about 5'3"), I would prefer a playpen that is shorter because I find it difficult to step over it. It would be much better for me to have a playpen that is shorter, like 20 inches, because my dogs are small and older, so they won't try to jump out of it. But that's not the fault of the product; that's just my own preference. You should also buy a second playpen and attach it to the first to make a larger pen area, unless you have extremely little canines or a brand-new puppy. If not, the space is simply too small for dogs to linger for more than an hour or two. Again, not a flaw in the product, but I wanted to mention it so people would be aware that they probably need to get two of them.



Ruff 'n Ruffus Portable Foldable Pet Playpen + Carrying Case & Collapsible Travel Bowl | Indoor / Outdoor use | Water resistant | Removable shade cover | Dogs / Cats / Rabbit | Available In 3 Sizes Review:


The item arrived swiftly and matches the description accurately! However, I have opened the pen and played around with how I would arrange it in my car. I haven't utilized it as I had anticipated (driving for 11 hours with the playpen serving as a larger space for the accompanying cat - pray for me).In order to accommodate a cat (10 months old and weighing between 8 and 10 pounds) as well as a water bowl, blanket, and tiny litter pan, I got the medium-sized pen. However, I was concerned that the larger size would obstruct my view out of my back window.- Everything fits during a test drive, even the cat's accessories and the pen (I have a mini-SUV with the seats folded down and a dog).In addition to the favorable evaluations for the product's strong, sturdy, and durable materials, I chose this particular playpen from my final shortlist of three options because I loved the way it looked.After I return from my trip, I'll update this review to let you know if the awful terror of the kitty was successfully extracted.



Parkland Pet Portable Foldable Playpen Exercise Kennel Dogs Cats Indoor/Outdoor Removable Mesh Shade Cover Review:


Exactly right for our young family! Please allow me to elaborate when I say "small ones" now. The entire family may use this folding playpen from Parkland, not just dogs and cats!Two hedgehogs and a guinea pig have been adopted by my wife and me. We have looked everywhere for a secure setting where they may play and "get to know each other." We have found just what we were seeking for in this playpen from Parkland Pet.Pros: Superior ConstructionSimple to Clean (it is not water resistant for those of you asking)Mesh Top enables me to take this outside on nice days without worrying that a nearby bird may flee with my children.My pets love the roomy 17 x 27 x 27-inch fabric play pen because the metal play pens are far too easy for them to get their tiny claws stuck in.PRICE (you will not find a better offer) (you will not find a better deal)Cons: I have not yet discovered any!



IRIS 24” Exercise playpen Panels for Dog Review:


To separate a space in my apartment for my dogs to stay in while I'm at work, I bought this dog playpen. The playpen is really well-made and easy to put together; you simply snap the sections at the hinges. My dogs are not little, but they are not small either, and they were unable to push the playpen over, crawl under it, or jump out of it. I enjoy the door because it gives the dogs a quick exit when I'm home instead of requiring me to lift the entire playpen or unhinges it.Despite all of these advantages, there are two items that didn't quite meet my requirements. Being a small person (about 5'3"), I would prefer a playpen that is shorter because I find it difficult to step over it. It would be much better for me to have a playpen that is shorter, like 20 inches, because my dogs are small and older, so they won't try to jump out of it. But that's not the fault of the product; that's just my own preference. You should also buy a second playpen and attach it to the first to make a larger pen area, unless you have extremely little canines or a brand-new puppy. If not, the space is simply too small for dogs to linger for more than an hour or two. Again, not a flaw in the product, but I wanted to mention it so people would be aware that they probably need to get two of them.



Ruff 'n Ruffus Portable Foldable Pet Playpen + Carrying Case & Collapsible Travel Bowl | Indoor / Outdoor use | Water resistant | Removable shade cover | Dogs / Cats / Rabbit | Available In 3 Sizes Review:


The item arrived swiftly and matches the description accurately! However, I have opened the pen and played around with how I would arrange it in my car. I haven't utilized it as I had anticipated (driving for 11 hours with the playpen serving as a larger space for the accompanying cat - pray for me).In order to accommodate a cat (10 months old and weighing between 8 and 10 pounds) as well as a water bowl, blanket, and tiny litter pan, I got the medium-sized pen. However, I was concerned that the larger size would obstruct my view out of my back window.- Everything fits during a test drive, even the cat's accessories and the pen (I have a mini-SUV with the seats folded down and a dog).In addition to the favorable evaluations for the product's strong, sturdy, and durable materials, I chose this particular playpen from my final shortlist of three options because I loved the way it looked.After I return from my trip, I'll update this review to let you know if the awful terror of the kitty was successfully extracted.


Can I leave my 10 week old puppy home alone?

Yes, you can leave your 10 week old puppy home alone, but you'll need to make sure they have everything they need to stay safe and comfortable. This includes food and water, a safe place to sleep and chew on appropriate toys, and a potty area. You'll also need to provide plenty of supervision and socialization opportunities when you're home so your pup doesn't become bored or anxious.

Can I leave my puppy alone for 4 hours?

If you have to leave your puppy alone for four hours, there are some things you can do to make sure they're safe and comfortable. Put them in a quiet room with plenty of toys and a full belly. Make sure the room is warm enough or cool enough, depending on their coat. Leave the TV or radio on for some white noise. And, of course, make sure they have a full bladder and a clean spot to relieve themselves.

How do you train a dog to stay in a playpen?

To train a dog to stay in a playpen, you will need to start by teaching them to stay in one spot. Once they have mastered this, you can then begin to slowly increase the size of the area they are allowed to move around in. You will need to be consistent with your training and rewards in order to see the best results.

How long should a puppy stay in a playpen?

A puppy playpen is a great way to keep your puppy safe and contained while you are away. But how long can a puppy stay in a playpen? Ideally, a puppy should not stay in a playpen for more than a few hours at a time. Puppies need to socialize and exercise, so a playpen is not a good long-term solution. If you must leave your puppy in a playpen for extended periods, make sure to provide plenty of toys and enrichment activities to keep your puppy stimulated.

How long should you keep a dog in a pen?

A dog pen is a great way to keep your furry friend safe and secure when they are outdoors. But how long can you keep a dog in a pen? The answer to this question depends on a number of factors, including the size of the pen, the age and health of the dog, and the weather conditions. A small pen is not suitable for a large dog, and a large pen is not appropriate for a small dog. A young, healthy dog can stay in a pen for longer than an older or sick dog. And, of course, you

Is a play pen better than a crate?

A playpen can provide a safe area for your puppy to play while you are away or busy. A crate can also provide a safe area for your puppy, but may confine them too much.