Having a safe place for your dog to play is important, especially when you’re not always going to be around to supervise them. One of the most common solutions to this problem is a dog pen. The problem is that commercial dog pens can be pricey, which only worsens if you have a giant breed.
If you’re confined by budget and space, your choices are more limited, and you might buy something that doesn’t fit your specific needs, which is just a waste of money. The best way to solve these issues is to build your own DIY dog playpen! We’ve found five plans to get you started.
The 5 DIY Playpens for Dogs
1. Customizable Puppy Pen by Making It Work
| Materials: | PVC pipe, PVC Ts, PVC elbows, PVC outlet, PVC couplings, vinyl, lumber, drywall screws, galvanized L brackets |
| Skill level: | Intermediate |
| Other tools needed: | Drill |
This is an indoor pen, and it’s sturdy, customizable, and removable. In the example, there’s a gate, which makes it easy to access because those high sides would have you struggling. It’s used as a puppy pen, but since it’s versatile and can change to suit your needs, it can be constructed for any breed!
2. Rottiepawz’s Temporary Playpen
| Materials: | Storage cubes, cable ties |
| Skill level: | Beginner |
| Other tools needed: | Wire cutters or scissors |
This plan uses materials you may already have lying around the house, but if you don’t, they won’t cost you too much to pick up. The best thing about this playpen is that it folds away when you’re not using it. It’s compact, and you can hide it when it’s not in use, and it’s easy to set back up when you need it again.
3. Custom Rescue Dog Pen from Instructables
| Materials: | Plywood, lumber, chicken wire, roll of linoleum, screws, staples |
| Skill level: | Advanced |
| Other tools needed: | Chop saw, circular saw, cordless drill, staple gun, box cutter, and other miscellaneous small hand tools |
This dog pen will not only keep your dog safe but there’s also a bottom to protect your floor. A handy guide shows that if you position it cleverly, you can let your dog outside whenever they need to without getting them out of the playpen first.
4. PVC Pipe Puppy Playpen by DreammyDoodles
| Materials: | PVC pipes, corners, crosses, T’s, and caps, tarp (optional) |
| Skill level: | Beginner |
| Other tools needed: | Rubber mallet, PVC pipe cutters, PVC glue (optional) |
This PVC playpen is perfect for someone who feels like their skills lie outside the realm of woodworking. It is also an ideal solution if you have puppies in your life, or a small dog, as the sides are quite low. Make sure your pups can’t fit their heads through the gaps.
5. Instructables Quick and Portable Wire Dog Playpen
| Materials: | Heavy-gauge wire livestock mesh, aluminum wire, safety latches, metal fence posts (optional) |
| Skill level: | Beginner |
| Other tools needed: | Sledgehammer, pliers |
This outdoor playpen is affordable with materials that are also widely available. As it’s an outdoor version, it gives you a little more room to play with the size, depending on your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are the Advantages of a Playpen for Dogs?
We’ve already mentioned that playpens are a good place for your dog to enjoy themselves safely, but are there any other benefits? Some dogs are just more rambunctious than others.
A playpen will keep other pets and furniture safe. If you opt for a non-permanent design, you can bring it on vacation, so your dog can burn off some steam or relax in comfort. Keeping track of a puppy or a particularly energetic dog can be difficult, especially if you are busy. A playpen can give you some peace of mind.
- It’s a great way to introduce new pets to your dog (especially if one dog is older)
- Your dog can sleep peacefully
- You can use it as a safe potty-training area
What Is the Ideal Size for a Playpen?
For an outdoor pen, the sides should be tall enough to keep your dog from jumping out and other animals from jumping in. So, just because you have a small dog doesn’t mean you can keep the walls short if you have a problem with other animals wandering into your yard.
Adding a top would also keep your dog safe from bird predators and also offer some shade. Remember, if your dog is young, take this into consideration and plan the size of the pen for future needs as they grow.
Your dog needs room to stand, lie down, and turn comfortably for an indoor pen. If it’s too small, it will function more like a crate than a playpen; your dog needs room to actually play in it. If there’s lots of space, they can use one side for sleeping and relaxing and the other as a toilet.
- 18 inches for miniature dogs (like a Maltese)
- 2½ feet for dogs weighing up to 40 pounds (like a Cocker Spaniel)
- 3 feet for dogs weighing up to 70 pounds (like a Basset Hound)
- 3½–6 feet for large dogs (like a German Shepherd)
Of course, these are all just rough estimates. The size of your indoor pen will depend on the size of the space you’re working within your house and your dog’s needs!
How Long Should Your Dog Spend in Their Pen?
The playpen shouldn’t replace quality time with you. If your dog spends too much time in one, it will lead to boredom and can encourage bad habits, like chewing and whining. When you supervise your dog, make sure you let them out and reward good behavior. Try to keep their time in a playpen between 1–2 hours at most.
Also, try not to use it as a punishment or a prison, as this will make them grow to dislike their pen and be wary of you. For the pen to be useful, it needs to be associated with positive feelings, where they get to play, get treats, and rest.
Conclusion
Giving your dog a safe place to play (or rest and relax outdoors in some shade if that’s what they prefer) shouldn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg. Building your own playpen gives you the freedom to create something that fits your home or yard and meets your dog’s specific needs. We hope one of these plans has inspired you. Even if you don’t choose one of these playpens, they give you an idea of what you can create!
Featured Image Credit: Mary Dimitropoulou, Shutterstock
Contents
- The 5 DIY Playpens for Dogs
- 1. Customizable Puppy Pen by Making It Work
- 2. Rottiepawz’s Temporary Playpen
- 3. Custom Rescue Dog Pen from Instructables
- 4. PVC Pipe Puppy Playpen by DreammyDoodles
- 5. Instructables Quick and Portable Wire Dog Playpen
- Frequently Asked Questions
- What Are the Advantages of a Playpen for Dogs?
- What Is the Ideal Size for a Playpen?
- How Long Should Your Dog Spend in Their Pen?
- Conclusion
