Today, we’re going to look at the pug playpen and why it’s an essential product for every pet owner. Dog playpens can be extremely handy, especially, if your dog is chewing up things or is constantly getting into dangerous situations. Playpens and exercise pens are a great way to let your pug get exercise if you can’t take them to the dog park.
What Is A Canine Playpen?
A playpen is a large area structure that is usually collapsible and can be used indoors and outdoors. They provide a space for Fido to run, play, eat and sleep. It’s a great way to provide a safe comfortable place for your puppy or full grown dog.
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Just like you buy a baby playpen for your child to help provide them with a safe and secure environment when you cannot be as hands-on as you’d like.
This is totally different than a crate you would use for training. Crates are small cages that confine your dog to a tiny place. Here are some great crates for small dog breeds like the Pug.
Recommended Products
The Cardinal Perfect Fit Gate will help keep your Pug safe when you don't have to time to watch them. You can also use it to section off your home to keep them from chewing or..
Most people use crates to instill obedience training. I crated trained Mindy when she was a puppy and it was the easiest thing to do.
What Size Pug Playpen Do I Need?
The size of the canine exercise pen you get will depend on the size of dog you have, as well as how many dogs will be utilizing the pen at one time. The exercise pen should have enough room for your pup to run, jump, and play around in without feeling confined in a tight area.
Use this exercise pen table to help you determine what size of pen you need. It is dependent on how much your pug weighs. It’s better to have a playpen that is too big than to get one that is too small.
| Dog Weight | Dimensions |
| 11 – 25 lbs | 24″H x 8 x 24″W |
| 26 – 40 lbs | 30″H x 8 x 24″W |
| 41 – 70 lbs | 36″H x 8 x 24″W |
| 71 – 90 lbs | 42″H x 8 x 24″W |
| 91 – 110 lbs | 48″H x 8 x 24″W |
According to this table, a pug would be fine with a playpen that is 24″H x 8 x 24″W or larger. Large dogs will need one that is bigger. Just remember, the price will increase as the pens get bigger.
Before I share some of the best indoor dog pens for pugs, let’s take a look at some of the reasons you should consider investing in one.
7 Reasons You Need A Playpen for Pugs
#1 Stops Bad Chewing Behavior
Puppies love to chew, especially, when they start teething. This is why it’s so important to have plenty of chew toys for puppies to keep them from chewing furniture, shoes and anything else you don’t want them to. Every dog regardless of age needs some good dog chew toys to keep them busy.
However, even if you keep them busy with chew toys, doesn’t necessarily mean that they won’t chew your stuff, especially if you’re not watching them. The right sized playpen can keep your pug in one area, where she will only be able to chew the toys you put inside the pen.
#2 Potty Training Accidents
Having a pug dog playpen can be a great way to prevent your pup from using the bathroom indoors. Some pups have been known to use the bathroom behind furniture or in their favorite spots, especially, when their owners back is turned.
It’s important to potty train your pug, a puppy enclosure can limit the freedom of your pug inside. At least until they are properly trained and you know that they won’t go potty indoors.
#3 Helps With Boredom
It’s easy to think that if you placing a Pug in a pen, can actually increase boredom. However, in some cases, it can help. It can also be a great way to calm down hyper puppies if you can’t find other ways to calm them down.
Pugs love their human companions, however, you cannot be with them 24/7. Pens can come in handy when you’re busy with other things, but don’t want to put your pug in a crate.
Just put her favorite toys in the pen with her and it’ll keep her busy for hours. The best part is you know where she is and she won’t run away.
#4 It Helps With Separation Anxiety
Pugs are codependent dogs and this is why some of them are prone to separation anxiety. Having a place of her own can help her feel safe and secure. Dogs have a natural instinct to be in a den.
Don’t forget to put her favorite toys and a quality canine bed inside.
In addition, you’ll want to make sure that she has all the supplies she’ll need. This includes her food dish, water bowl, toys, and other necessities that she can access whenever she wants. The pen keeps her toys and supplies from rolling under a sofa, kicked across the room or just being lost.
#6 Teaches Your Puppy Not to Bite
The best reason to buy a doggy play pen is to use it to teach him/her not to bite. Play with your pug inside the puppy play pen, when she bites you, howl loudly and then walk away from the pen to an area they cannot see you.
Keep repeating this process, whenever you pup bites. After a while, your pup will start to understand and will stop the bad biting behavior. A puppy loves playtime and they don’t want it to stop.
#7 Safe Environment
Most pug owners don’t realize the dangers that a puppy can get into. Just like kids, they can find themselves in dangerous situations when you’re not watching them.
An indoor puppy playpen is an enclosed area that will protect them from anything you don’t want them getting into or can cause them harm, especially, when she is home alone.
While it’s beneficial to own a puppy enclosure to protect your pup. It’s also important to puppy-proof your house to limit the dangers your dog can encounter. One of the things we did was lock the pet door when we were gone during the day.
We didn’t want our puppy falling into the pool in the backyard. When your pug is inside the playpen, all external dangers are removed and you’ll feel better knowing she’s safe.
Where to Buy Pug Puppy Playpen
A dog or puppy playpen can be purchased at any of the big retail stores or your local pet stores. It won’t be hard to find them at the following stores in your area:
- Target
- Walmart
- Kmart
- Target
- Petco
- Petsmart
You can find pens in created from nylon and mesh, plastic, metal and etc. However, the pet pens you find in your retail stores will most likely be more expensive than the ones I recommend from Amazon.
Before you buy, make sure that you do your due diligence to find the right pet play yard for your Pug. Below you’ll find some of the recommended portable dog pens you’ll love for your full grown pug and pug puppies.
The Best Pug Dog Playpens and Exercise Pens for Pugs
#1 Perfect Fit Gate
The Cardinal Perfect Fit Gate will help keep your Pug safe when you don't have to time to watch them. You can also use it to section off your home to keep them from chewing or..
The Cardinal Gates Perfect Fit Gate is perfect to use as a gate, play yard, or a pen. It has a built-in puppy door which makes it easy to let them in and out. Designed with painted wood and steel, which makes it extremely durable and it can last for several years.
It has six panels which makes it easy to arrange it into multiple shapes or stretch it out to confine your pup to one specific area of your home.
The product dimensions are: 152 x 1 x 26.5 inches (perfect for a 30-pound dog)
You won’t have to worry about buying a different size pen as your pug grows. Perfect for pug puppies or adult dogs.
#2 Oxford Cloth Puppy Pen
The ESK Playpen Exercise Kennel is perfect for small puppies and has plenty of breathable windows to keep them safe.
This breathable Pet Puppy Dog Playpen is perfect and easy to install. It’s waterproof, so it will be easy to clean up any accidental messes and after each use. The breathable mesh material and cloth design make it extremely comfortable for your canine friend.
The space-saving design makes it easy to store when it’s not being used. The 8-panel design makes it easy to set up and take down.
You even get a travel tote, which makes it easy to carry with you when you travel with your pug. It includes storage compartments which makes it easy to keep your pet’s toys and supplies within reach.
The product dimensions are 25.9 x 20 x 1.8 inches. (perfect for a puppy that weighs 6.4 pounds)
Unfortunately, you will have to invest in a bigger pen as your dog grows.
#3 Iris Exercise Panel Indoor Puppy Playpen
The Iris 8-Panel Playpen is perfect for exercising your Pug. It is made from commercial grade plastic with steel door latches.
The Iris Exercise Pet Playpen is an awesome choice for a small puppy. It has a small hinged door that latches to keep your pug safely inside. It’s perfect to use for both indoors and outdoors during playtime.
It is constructed of a commercial-grade plastic that can withstand the best puppy chewers. It has non-skid rubber feet to protect your hardwood floors.
It comes in three different sizes and is perfect for puppies, medium and large dogs. It provides 21 square feet of exercise space for your pet. The connecting rods and pens can be positioned into different shapes to help meet all your needs.
You can use this pen as a play area, daily exercise, training, or simply to just to provide a safe area for your pug. The plastic makes it easy to wipe and clean after each use.
Heavy Duty Puppy Pen
While pugs are NOT aggressive and won’t really try to escape. It’s important to understand that every breed is different. Every dog has different chewing habits, digging, or jumping habits.
These pens are perfect if your pug loves chewing and jumping, or you have a second dog that loves chewing. A heavy duty pen will keep your pup inside regardless of how much he/she tries to escape.
#4 Best Heavy Duty Puppy Playpen
The BestPet Outdoor Dog Fence will give your Pug a secure place to play and exercise while keeping them safe.
The Heavy Duty Pet Playpen is perfect for Pug owners with more than one dog, especially, if your second dog is more robust than a Pug. This crate is meant to grow with your pug, which means you may not have to buy another one in your lifetime.
It provides a large secure area for Fido. The sides of the pen are tall enough for you to reach into the enclosure, but your dog can’t jump out. (especially, since pugs can’t jump really high)
The design allows you to configure the pen into multiple shapes to fit your needs. You can create a square, rectangle, and octagon shapes.
It’s perfect for both indoor and outdoor use and constructed from a sturdy heavy duty, rust-resistant metal designed for durability and longevity.
Ideal if you love traveling and camping.
#5 Midwest Exercise Pen
MidWest exercise playpen can be used indoors or outdoors to keep your Pug safe. It is made of an acri-lock acrylic coat that will keep it protected from the elements.
The Midwest Exercise Pen is perfect for pugs. It has a secure double latch with a step-through door access. This space-saving pen makes it easy to fold and store when not in use.
Doesn’t require any tools to assemble. It even comes with a 1-year manufacturers warranty. This playpen for pugs provides 16 square feet of a safe enclosed space. The 8 ground anchors make it perfect for outdoor use and will prevent it from blowing over in high winds.
Designed with a durable Black E-Coat finish that prevents it from rusting. Perfect for providing your pug exercise.
References and Further Reading
Science Direct – Correlates of Pen Size and Housing Conditions on The Behavior of Kennelled Dogs
SafeWise – 10 Tips for Puppy Proofing Your Home