Choosing The right Exercise Pen For Your Pet
Posted by: Johnathan Livingston in dog, tags: dogYour pet needs exercise. Your dog needs space to jump around and play. Conversely, you don’t want your pet having so much freedom that he runs away or chases cars or anything of the sort.
A Definition of Exercise Pens
Dog pens, also called exercise pens, are portable fences that give your dog space to play but not space to escape and run amuck. Portable exercise pens are better than leashes because they are less stressful and dangerous for your pet. They are made of heavy gauge wire formed that is typically formed into eight hinged panels. The hinges make the exercise pen easy to put away or transport.
Sizes range from 24 to 48 inches in height, with length of most portable dog pens being around 16 feet. Some exercise pens have soft sides made of canvas or mesh. They aren’t as heavy and they’re more portable. If your dog is destructive, be aware that you’re better off with metal dog pens.
Dogs are territorial, and so will be comfortable with the idea that the exercise pens are their ‘den.’ The hinges let you arrange exercise pens into any size and shape you choose.
Exercise Pens and Training
One of the best ways to encourage and maintain your dog’s good behavior is to manage his or her environment. Exercise pens are good tools for doing this. You can create a comfortable and familiar environment for your dog when you are not there to watch over and train him or her, or just cannot devote your full attention to your dog.
Traveling with Your Dog
If you are well prepared, you may enjoy traveling with your dog. A dog pen is a useful accessory for your trip, not only giving the dog a secure place to relax, but also making it so you don’t have to keep your dog on a leash all the time. Dogs prefer exercise pens to leashes generally.
Unfamiliar surroundings can make dogs nervous, thus inducing them to behave inappropriately. Your dog could end up feeling a need to urinate on carpets or furniture, or chew on valuables and clothing. This is not an ideal situation if you happen to be a guest in someone else’s house. Exercise pens, equipped with a familiar blanket to sleep on and a few select chew-able toys, can be a welcome resting place for your dog. Knowing your dog is relaxed and secure will allow you to enjoy your travels even more.
Exercise Pens and Housebreaking
Exercise pens give you a place to put a piddle pad or litter box when you’re housebreaking your dog. You can also use it as a holding area when you are training your dog to do his business outside. If the dog thinks the space is his, he’ll be more likely to hold it until you can take him outside to do his necessary. Bear in mind that you still have to take your dog out frequently. Aside from the risk of their soiling their area—particularly disastrous indoors, and likely to undermine their training-forcing your good dog to hold his business is a form of torture.
Exercise Pens Serve Other Purposes as Well
Exercise pens are used at dog shows to keep the participants safe, happy and separate from each other until it is their turn to tour the ring. They are also used to keep your dog confined to a limited area of your house or yard 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.
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