Puppy playpen?

Wandererone · Veteran Member

Puppy playpen?

Ron and Shirley · Senior Member

When in camp with one dog we tethered him to the van next to our outdoor chairs with his daytime folding camp bed (so he can sleep off the ground) next to vans wheels. He was constantly supervised and soon learnt not to get tangled. In the bush where there is more room we used a Stayput Portable Post just past our awning and moved the camp bed to the edge of the awning.

Now we have two dogs we have decided to go the way of a pen when travelling.We have just purchased a THF Handler Exercise Pen which is eight 2'x2' panels that can be set up in numerous configurations and folds flat to travel on our bed. It is large enough for two camp beds and there is still some room for them to walk around, though they certainly get enough exercise throughout the day with their many on-lead walks.

-- Edited by Ron and Shirley on Sunday 24th of November 2013 01:29:49 PM

SnowT · Guru

When our dog's were puppy's they got the pen treatment..

not for the whole time.. only when they could not be supervised..
- the dog's also got placed in a Dog crate.. for time out's..

They still go in the crate's to --
-- get treat's..
-- When new people come to the house..[to let them calm down so they don't bounce all over the people..] they still get a vigorous greeting..
-- when they are Bad..
They also lay down in the crates on their own accord.. with out any prompting.. It's their place of safety..

As you can see the smallest crate has a medium size dog, who went in of his own accord.. they feel safe in the crate..

I'm going to look into some similar for when I bring Athena with me just to keep her from wondering to far..

Juergen

MaryJane · Senior Member

What I have learnt with a big dog, is that a crate would be great. She is awesome, friendly, being a labrador. But put her on a rope, tied to a wheel and she is very protective. I have spoken to my vet and behaviourists. Long story short, any dog will be more protective tied up, especially when not used to it at home. She also gets chronic diarrhoea on the road. Again stress as she feels she has to protect a massive area. So I'm getting an awning, for the times that we will stay put.
Equally, if I don't tie her up, I can control her by voice. If I say it's okay, she will stay put. But on a rope, she will not always listen.
Interesting doggy psychology.
But rules state she has to be tied up, so she has to be tied up.

johnno48 · Veteran Member

Deals Direct have some really good ones.We bought the 8 panel 36inch high one,there is also an 8 panel 24inch high

one which may be ample for your little guy,(not a jumper).They are really great, fold flat and slide back into

box really easily.

jetj · Guru

I have the 24 inch pen from Deals Direct, and very good value. I also have a couple of different pens taller and larger but a little big and heavy for travelling from them as well.

I also have a large carrier that both dogs go in. They're chihuahuas, rescues from a puppy breeder and nervous, so they have space they feel more secure in.

native pepper · Senior Member

Both our dogs grew up in cardboard boxes on the road, until they got so big they split them and still tried to sleep in them with their legs stuck out one end and head out the other. Pretty hilarious to watch, then they tried sleeping on the cushions that were in the boxes and about 1/3 their size.

Never had the need to buy a pen for any of my dogs over the years, they learnt from a young age going on the chain was normal every where we stopped and when they want to go outside, they sit by their chain quite happily. They also learn chain length is their boundaries and provides many joyous times when very young without thinking they would suddenly see something an take off, only to be stopped and flung around at the end of the chain. Now in their middle age, the chain means going outside, the lead means a walk and they let you know which one they want. If I pick the wrong one, my fella howls until I get it right, his sister just sits down in disgust and won't move until you get it right..

Give them boundaries and freedom within those boundaries and you shouldn't need a pen, they will be right beside you having a good time.

Wandererone · Veteran Member

'Give them boundaries and freedom within those boundaries and you shouldn't need a pen, they will be right beside you having a good time.'

Yep native pepper I couldn't agree more.

But in the meantime we have a feisty little bag of wool that is now 10 months old and has only been with us for 2 months.
While he is getting better every day there are times, I think, when 'time out' in the play pen will do him good, as did your cardboard boxes, especially in a caravan park situation.
This little feisty had barely been socialised with either people or other dogs when we got him 2 months ago.
He has had masses of both over the last 2 months.
People everywhere and lots of dogs - big and small.

The idea of the Playpen was so that if we went out for an hour or so and couldn't take him (due to too hot to leave him in the ca if we went shopping etc) we could leave him 'at home' with the van without being worried that he would tangle himself up on a rope or be harassed by another dog (or kids).

We have found in the past that most 'neighbours' are happy to keep an eye on your pet for an hour or so if they aren't a problem.
We say thanks by bringing them a bottle of wine or a box of chockies.
Well worth it and if we can reciprocate in some way then all the better!

jules47 · The Happy Helper

Saw one of these pen ideas in use recently - just remember the side nearest the van or motorhome - might need to put a skirt up there - but these two dogs were so well behaved, only barked when someone directly approached the van - had a lot of room to run around, their beds to rest on and food and water bowls as well.

Best idea I think.

Forgot to say - if you deal with Deals Direct on line - you won't be disappointed - have purchased from them for years - cannot fault their service or their pricing - sometimes you even get free delivery!!

-- Edited by jules47 on Tuesday 7th of January 2014 09:55:59 AM

Gerty Dancer · Guru

How quickly is your little munchkin becoming socialised Wander one?

Thinking of taking on a rescue dog, and realising they often have issues, so doing as much research as I can.

native pepper · Senior Member

Gerty Dancer wrote:
How quickly is your little munchkin becoming socialised Wander one?

Thinking of taking on a rescue dog, and realising they often have issues, so doing as much research as I can.

If you get a rescue dog, make sure you learn all about it's past, so you can see and understand what effects it and what doesn't. Had a few over the years and they were all very different in temperament. My first one took a long time to for me to understand the associated problems and made the mistake of not learning about the dogs past, so had a few wars with it until we both worked out how to live together. He was a big black Lab crossed with what may have been a throw back to a wolf, he howled along to songs, go and do some of the craziest things, especially when I was working. Once we worked it out, he was one of my best dogs ever, but to smart for it's own good sometimes. Gentle as a kitten with kids, they could play with him, ride on him, roll him round and he loved it. But if they yelled or got out of control and started running mad, he just nipped them on the bum. Got into the habit of warning kids and parents about his dislike of screaming and out of control kids or people, didn't take one family long to work it out. One of their kids got a nip on the bum and I thought it would create an argument, but the mother came over and was surprised at how the dog only reacted to what could be construed as out of control people, but probably just loud fun. She said it had shocked her kids, but done no harm, just a little red mark. Heard her tell the kids a couple of times during our stay if they played up she would go and let Sam of to keep an eye on them. The kids played quietly from then on, which was a big change from before we arrived. This was more than 40 years ago and would be dimly looked upon in our nanny state today, so not the recommended way.

I'd say that fellow had a pretty bad trot in his early life, but he was a great dog and so funny at times, loved him dearly and he certainly enjoyed his later life. He adored travelling, when at home would sit beside the bus or car waiting to go somewhere most days.The brother and sister we have now are rescue dogs, had a really hard upbringing but got saved from beingput down by us and they are excellent people. But dumb and sneaky sometimes, but what can you expect from a dog

Allara · Senior Member

I suggest you get a crate, they come in a soft crate as well as a steel one. Train him to spend time in it every day. I would not leave him outside when you are away because people steal dogs, particularly little fluffy ones.
Also if some feral kid goes up and annoys him and gets bitten, the dog will always be blamed !
Leave him in the crate in the van.

Cheers

Allara

Ontos45 · Guru

'Give them boundaries and freedom within those boundaries and you shouldn't need a pen, they will be right beside you having a good time.'

Very true, we never had problems with our Wolfhound/Ridgeback (rescue dog), allowed kids to play ball near her while on her running lead in CP's, (she's an empty plastic bottle dog) but, after reading some comments on GN from some 'not dog lovers' we have decided to go with the pen idea next time we travel then no one can complain. We can even host happy hour.

tarnell · Veteran Member

The best playpen is to get a length of shadecloth and cut to about 1.5 in height and the length you want in a square or circle ( we put ours around the annexe of the van)

Now sew down (wide enough for a small steel or aluminum pole to be inserted) strips of shadecloth at 1 meter intervals, so that you can insert these poles. They must be able to be inserted into the ground a little bit. When you have inserted the poles, use guide ropes to pull them tight like you would your tent. You can step over it and your pet will be safe, as I refuse to tie a dog up. So easy for traveling, they just roll up and take little room for storage. Hope this helps.

jetj · Guru

Gerty Dancer wrote:
How quickly is your little munchkin becoming socialised Wander one?

Thinking of taking on a rescue dog, and realising they often have issues, so doing as much research as I can.

I took on 2 rescue chihuahuas 12 months ago. They had had little human contact, were little puppy factories, never seen a lead, wouldn't be caught, I couldn't stay in the room when I fed them (they wouldn't eat unless I left the room). A year later I can catch them, they lead beautifully and I think they love me. They still are a work in progress to give them more and more confidence.

I am so blessed to have them, I adore them and they were worth the effort.