It’s time to train your new puppy. You pull out your new puppy checklist and notice that many dog trainers recommend using a puppy playpen. But for you it’s like putting your puppy in jail. Is it cruel to use a puppy playpen when you are training your puppy?
If you have a busy life, you’ll find a puppy park to be an essential piece of equipment in raising a well-balanced, well-behaved pup.
The first reason is that a puppy playpen will allow you to take short periods to relax away from your pet. This is important because you know how frustrating a new puppy can be and it is vital to be relaxed and consistent when training your new puppy.
Second, a puppy park teaches your animal self-control. Dogs that live with humans should be taught to lie down and relax when no one wants to have time to pay attention to them. When you put your pet in a puppy playpen, the dog has limited options for activity and will quickly learn to calm down.
If you introduce your pup to his playpen at a very young age, he will accept it as a part of life and really enjoy it. If your puppy is older, introduce him to his playpen by leaving the door open and putting a bed inside where he can sleep when he’s tired. Throw some treats into the playpen and close the door slowly and calmly behind him as you enjoy the treats from him.
Talk to your puppy often when he is in the pen and he will enjoy being there.
When your dog is free to roam, you are not there to supervise. As a result, the bad behavior becomes wrong and your pet does not learn the good behavior. A puppy playpen prevents this wandering and prevents your pup from getting into all sorts of mischief, like chewing on electrical cords, stealing shoes from your closet, well, you get the idea.
Remember to include chew toys on your new puppy’s checklist. That way, when you put him in his playpen, you can put a couple of chew toys for him. You can safely leave it there as long as you can’t focus on it. When you let your pup out, you are there to teach him right and wrong, and this is an act of kindness for your pup. Why? It is because he is rewarded for his good behavior and is taught to learn from his bad behavior. This makes the training process easier, faster, and less painful for your pup.
A puppy park is NOT a jail. Do not use it as a punishment when your puppy has misbehaved. If your puppy does something wrong, correct him and show him what you want him to do. Then praise him when he does.
Don’t leave your puppy in the playpen for long periods of time, never more than two hours. He should be given as much time and attention outside the pen as possible.
Is a puppy playpen cruel? Not if used correctly. In fact, when used correctly, it can not only give you much-needed time away from your pet, it can also be a great tool for teaching your pup proper behavior. There’s no doubt about it: when reviewing your new puppy checklist, don’t forget to include a puppy playpen.