As a puppy owner, you may be wondering when the right time is to stop using a puppy pen. After all, your pup won’t be a puppy forever!
There are a few factors to consider when making this decision, which we’ll discuss in more detail below. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide when the time is right to stop using a puppy pen – but we hope this guide will give you some food for thought.
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3 factors to consider to stop using a puppy pen
Is your puppy currently listening to you
One important factor to consider when deciding whether or not to stop using a puppy pen is whether or not your pup is currently listening to you. If they’re not following basic commands such as sit, stay, come, etc., then it’s probably not the right time to take away their pen just yet.
On the other hand, if your puppy is consistently following your commands and seems to have a good understanding of what you’re asking of them, then they may be ready to start spending more time out of their pen.
A puppy pen is a great tool to train your puppy, so it would be a shame to discontinue using it when they’re untrained.
Is your puppy too excited?
If your puppy is too excited when visitors come over, you can simply use the puppy pen to help them calm down. When they’re in their pen, they can’t jump up on visitors and will have to stay calm.
Of course, every puppy will be excited with visitors at first – but if your pup is especially excitable, it may be a good idea to keep them in their pen until they learn to calm down.
When your puppy seems to be more well-behaved with visitors, this is usually a good sign that they’re ready to start spending more time out of it.
Does your puppy have a lot of accidents?
If your puppy is still having accidents inside, it’s probably not the right time to stop using their pen just yet. Puppies have small bladders and can’t hold it in for very long, so they’re bound to have accidents from time to time.
However, if your puppy is consistently going to the bathroom outside and only has accidents occasionally, then they may be ready to start spending more time out of their pen.
Only you know your puppy best, so it’s up to you to decide when the time is right to stop using a puppy pen.
How to transition your puppy from a puppy pen
It’s very important to transition your puppy from their pen gradually. If you take them out of their pen and put them straight into a big open space, they may feel overwhelmed and stressed.
Instead, start by letting them out for short periods of time so that they can get used to being out of their pen. You can then gradually increase the amount of time they spend out of their pen until they’re comfortable staying out for longer periods of time.
Puppy-proof the area
If you’re going to let your puppy out of their pen, it’s important to create a safe space for them to play in. This could be an enclosed yard or a room that has been puppy-proofed.
Puppy-proofing your home is essential to keeping your pup safe – and it will also help to prevent them from chewing on your belongings!
Some things you’ll need to puppy proof your home include:
- Securing any electrical cords so that your puppy can’t chew on them.
- Putting away any small objects that your puppy could choke on.
- Blocking off any stairs or other areas that could be dangerous for a puppy.
If you’re not sure how to puppy-proof your home, there are plenty of online guides that can help you. Once you’ve puppy-proofed your home, you can feel confident letting your pup roam around without their pen.
Give them more freedom when they show good behavior
If your puppy is behaving well when they’re out of their pen, you can start to give them more freedom. This could mean letting them have access to another room in the house or even removing the puppy pen.
Of course, you’ll need to keep a close eye on your pup when they’re first exploring their newfound freedom. But if they’re behaving well, it’s a good sign that they’re ready for more responsibility.
When to stop using a puppy pen – final thoughts
Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide when to stop using a puppy pen. Every puppy is different, so you’ll need to use your best judgment to decide when the time is right.
If you’re not sure whether your pup is ready to be out of their pen, it’s always better to be on the side of caution. You can always let them out for longer periods of time as they get older and more well-behaved.
