"What Are Dog Pens And How Can They Help Me And My Cocker Spaniel?"Dog pens are available in a variety of shapes and sizes, although the smaller ones are usually rectangular. A typical pen would be around three to four foot high and may have a covered top to stop the dog from escaping.
They're available in steel wire, plastic, wood, plastic coated wire, waterproof nylon, or a combination of wood and wire. Puppy pens can also be built using a combination of concrete and steel wire or wood. The nylon pens are usually built around a robust steel frame and may sometimes be padded for extra comfort. Its nylon material is usually waterproof and may also incorporate a zipped entrance. If you choose an open topped puppy pen, make sure it's high enough so your dog can't jump out of it, but low enough for you to be able to reach over to your cocker spaniel. Some of the larger pens will incorporate a door to allow the owner easy access without having to reach over to lift the dog in or out. Some wire pens may not have a base and may need to be staked into the ground to stabilize them. Those with a base are usually quite strong and probably won't need staking. Puppy pens are suitable for either indoor or outdoor use and, depending upon the style and size of the dog pen you choose, it may conveniently fold flat to allow easy portability or storage.
If you have a lot of outdoor space, a larger pen is ideal as it will allow your dog to exercise freely and safely in the fresh air. Dog runs will allow your Cocker Spaniel to exercise but by their design they also allow your dog to get a good run. There are exercise dog pens available with a cover specially designed to give cool shade in the sun; others may not have any cover at all. Either way, it's very important not to leave your dog directly in the sun for too long as he may overheat or become dehydrated. If you want to give your Cocker Spaniel a little protection from the elements, as well as extra security, you could put a small dog kennel in the corner of his pen. If you have a gently shaded spot in your garden, that would be an ideal place for your dog's pen - especially in a hot and sunny climate. Your Cocker Spaniel will benefit from a little sunshine each day, but be sure to check on him from time to time and don't forget to leave your dog a bowl of fresh clean water to help keep him hydrated. A couple of his favourite toys will help to keep him occupied and stop him from getting bored.
Indoor pens are usually smaller because of the lack of available indoor space in most of our homes - unless of course, your home is palatial!
However, they're still very useful! They're great for confining a puppy to a specific area and will help to keep him out of mischief while he's inside the home - especially if you need to leave him unsupervised for a little while. TIP: You might want to place a plastic liner on the carpet under your puppy's pen to minimise the impact of any little 'accidents' in your absence. Most of the indoor pens will fold flat and are easily transported into the garden, temporarily.
If you're lucky, your puppy will take to his pen immediately and without any fuss. If you're unlucky, he may cry to be let out, in which case, you'll have to train him to enjoy his pen. Acclimatising a puppy to a dog pen is similar to acclimatising a puppy to a dog crate. Learn more about crate training your puppy. Your puppy needs to learn to enjoy being in his pen. You can begin the acclimatisation process by sitting in the pen with him and playing with him for a while or practise a couple of training exercises and reward him with a few small training treats. Next, play a few more puppy games, but this time with your puppy inside the pen and you outside of the pen; play with him through the mesh or over the top of the pen. When he's happy with that, leave him alone with a couple of his favourite toys and a few training treats scattered on the floor of his pen. Stay out of sight, but keep an eye on him. By teaching your puppy that good things happen to him whilst he's in his pen, he'll soon settle down quietly and begin to enjoy it.  It may not always be convenient to walk your dog and this is where the dog pen comes in very handy. They're great in these circumstances as they allow your pet to get plenty of fresh air and exercise, in a safe and secure environment - they give you peace of mind. However, it's important to understand that, whilst dog pens can be used to exercise your dog, they are not a substitute for regular walks or runs in the park. Return to top of page - Dog Pens Return to Outdoor Dog Kennels And Dog Houses Return to the Cocker Spaniel Homepage Titles In The Dog Kennels And Dog Houses Series Cheap dog kennels - you can find them if you look hard enough! Dog houses give your Cocker somewhere safe to retreat to! Dog pens give you peace of mind! Dog runs offer your dog fresh air and exercise 'Dog Runs - How To Build A Dog Run' |
