Leaving your dog home alone while you go to work or socialize is a dilemma all dog parents face. Some people are lucky and get dogs that can cope while home alone, and others struggle with dogs that can’t be alone for too long. I’ve had the privilege of having both types of dogs. If you have a dog that struggles a bit, you might haveht of leaving your dog in a playpen. But can you do that?
The general rule is that dogs can comfortably stay in a playpen for four to six hours, assuming you have a healthy adult dog and a spacious playpen. However, it is essential to consider your individual dog’s needs. So, if:
- your dog is younger than six months old, they still have a growing bladder and shouldn’t be left in the playpen too long.
- your dog suffers from anxiety or separation anxiety, they may not do well in the playpen if you are gone.
- the size of your playpen is small compared to the size of your dog, this could lead to discomfort.
- you have an aggressive breed of dogs like a pit bull or chow, it may be kinder to not keep them inside the playpen for so long without company.
So, while a playpen is a good idea for most dogs, there are a few things to consider before letting your dog stay in one the whole day. Depending on your dog, you might not need a playpen at all. So, think about why a playpen can be useful to your dog and how you can customize an experience your dog will be comfortable with.
Why a Playpen Can Be Useful to Your Dog
You might be wondering why you would want to put your dog in a playpen in the first place. Well, there are a few benefits it can have for both you and your dog. It doesn’t matter whether it’s keeping them safe, helping with teething periods, keeping dogs away from fragile items, or creating a safe space.
Playpens Can Keep Puppies Safe
If you have a young puppy, you’ll know that they get into absolutely everything and are constantly looking for something to chew on. If you cannot give them 100% of your attention, it can be easy for them to get into trouble and hurt themselves or destroy items around the house.
Playpens Keep Teething Puppies From Chewing Everything
Puppies tend to go through teething phases, which cause them to chew anything and everything they can get their paws on – even things they shouldn’t! A playpen is an excellent way to keep young pups safe when you may not be able to watch over them yourself. It gives them enough room so that they don’t feel trapped but limits the space enough that they aren’t able to wander off and find something dangerous that could potentially hurt them.
Playpens Keep Dogs Away From Fragile Items
You keep fragile items out of our dog’s way, but you also keep your dog safe from items falling off and breaking on the floor. If you have a home full of fragile items or a clumsy or curious dog that tends to bump things over, a playpen could be your answer. It keeps your dog contained in one area and keeps them from breaking anything they’re not supposed to.
Playpens Create Safe Spaces for Dogs
A playpen becomes like your dog’s den where they feel safe and comforted. That is if you don’t use it as a punishment (if you want your dog comfortable in one, you shouldn’t use it as punishment at all). This space has all the comforting items your dog needs to self-soothe when they feel a little anxious or stressed, creating a safe environment.
Things to Consider When Leaving Your Dog In a Playpen
If you want to leave your dog in a playpen, it will help if you consider multiple factors. For example, think about how big your dog is, their temperament, the size of the playpen, and meeting all your dog’s needs.
Is Your Dog Small or Large?
Small dogs can comfortably spend more time in their playpens than bigger dogs. That’s because the bigger dogs don’t necessarily have as much space to move around freely and get rid of built-up energy. So, if you have a small dog, it might be excellent for them to remain confined in the playpen for hours. However, if you have a big dog who needs more space to roam around, you may want to find other opportunities for them to exercise throughout the day.
What is Your Dog’s Personality and Temperament?
Some dogs will tolerate confinement much better than others, depending on their personality and temperament. For example, if your dog tends to become anxious when left alone, they probably won’t enjoy being put in an enclosed space all day long. Or, if your dog is highly energetic, they could get bored quickly and become destructive when they’re in the playpen for too long. So, consider whether your dog would fit into the playpen lifestyle.
How Big is the Playpen?
If you have a big playpen that provides plenty of room for your pup to run around and move about freely, they could stay there during the day while you’re away at work or running errands. On the other hand, if they are confined in a tiny space where they can hardly move around at all (or perhaps not even stand up), the limited space can cause some problems with their muscle development and mental well-being!
Will You Meet All Your Dog’s Needs in the Playpen?
You should consider whether or not you will include any additional items within their enclosure: Are there pillows or blankets? Is there food/water? Does your dog have a space to go potty if they need to? A well-designed playpen will have these types of elements inside so that you meet all of their needs. If you don’t meet all of your dog’s needs, they will try to complete it themselves, which might cause behavioral issues in the long run.
How to Get Your Dog Comfortable With a Playpen
The most crucial part of leaving a dog in a playpen for most of the day is meeting their needs and getting your dog used to liking the space. So, you should make sure that your dog is comfortable with the playpen before leaving them in it. Here are some steps to take:
- Don’t use the playpen as a punishment. Always be positive around the playpen so that your dog will associate it with good things, not bad things.
- Let your dog explore the playpen on his own when he first starts using it while you stay nearby. If he seems skittish, it may help to put treats at the pen entrance so he will want to go inside and get them.
- Make sure that there are toys and treats in the pen before putting your dog in there.
- Ensure that your dog has access to water while they are in there as well!
- Put your dog in the playpen when you are home and can keep an eye on them for an hour or two at a time until they get more comfortable with being enclosed.
As you go through these steps with your dog, ensure that you use positive reinforcement. I’ve explained in this blog post why it is so effective.
The Paws Perspective
You know your dog better than anyone, so it’s ultimately up to you how long your dog stays in it. As long as you meet your dog’s needs, you’re good to go.
“The general rule is that dogs can comfortably stay in a playpen for four to six hours, assuming you have a healthy adult dog and a spacious playpen.“
Juan’Ri | Paws Perspective