Exercise pens, also known as dog pens, are fences that allow your dog a safe place for your dog to exercise and play. Portable exercise pens are available. These consist of portable fencing made of heavy gauge wire formed into eight hinged panels. The hinges make the exercise pen easy to put away or transport.
Dog pens come in sizes ranging from 24 to 48 inches in height, and are typically 16 feet in length. Exercise pens are also available with soft sides constructed of canvas and mesh. These weigh less and are more portable, but if your dog is rambunctious or tends to chew they are far mare easily destroyed than the metal dog pens.
Exercise pens are suitable for indoor use, not just outdoors. Dogs prefer pens to leashes, and it satisfies their notion of territory. The hinges on your pen will allow you to configure exercise pens into whatever shape you want, and even use it as a barrier to section off your fenced-in yard, or keep your dog in the garage.
An Excellent Training Tool
Exercise pens give you a means for managing the dog's environment to your advantage. They create a comfortable area for your dog to play when you can't supervise their every little movement.
Travel and Portability
Dogs are delightful travel companions but you must be properly equipped. The dog pen you bring will come in handy, giving the dog a place to relax and thereby giving you a chance to relax, too.
Dogs are easily unsettled by unfamiliar surroundings. This can cause the dog to behave inappropriately. For example, the dog may be tempted to urinate on furniture or decorative items, or chew on furniture and fixtures-particularly awkward if you're staying at someone else's house. Spacious Exercise pens with a familiar soft blanket and chewable toys can be a welcome place to rest for your dog. Knowing your dog is relaxing will ease your mind as well.
Housetraining Applications
Exercise pens can also be used as a tool in toilet training your dog. You may use it in combination with a box or piddle pad. Dogs are loathe to do their business in their own personal space, and their pen isn't big enough to have a bathroom corner. They'll wait for you to take them out, but be sure you do so in a timely matter, or your dog will be really unhappy.
Other Uses for Exercise Pens
Dog shows use exercise pens to keep the participants away from each other until it is their turn to walk. They are also used to keep your dog confined after your dog has returned home from surgery. A dog that has been recently operated on should not be allowed to roam free, but rather must remain where you can closely observe him.
Other Considerations
Be aware that exercise pens were never intended as full time dog housing and you should not leave the dog in there indefinitely. In spite of the name you'll want to take your dog out of the pen and let him get some real exercise.
Teach your dog to accept the pen the same way you would to a crate: feed him in the pen, do not leave him alone in the pen until he's used to it. Don't leave his collar on when he's in the pen, for his own safety.
