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Guide To Australian Shepherd Training & Care

A Dog Pen Can Be A Great Solution For Active Dogs

By Anton Hout, author of The Guide to Aussie Training & Care

A dog pen may be just the solution you're looking for if you have a dog that needs to get exercise but you worry about just letting him loose. Just like the playpens used for babies, these pens allow you to create a safe, enclosed space where your dog can move around comfortably without getting loose. It can work both inside and outside and give you peace of mind while your dog gets to stretch his legs.

The idea behind these dog exercise pens is simple—you want your dog to get plenty of exercise, and he needs it in order to stay healthy, but you can't just open your door and let him loose. Or, you need to be away from home and don't want him roaming the house and potentially doing damage or hurting himself while you're away. In either case, a pen is the perfect option. It provides your dog with a comfortable, safe space and allows you to walk away knowing that no harm will come to him or your home.

You can choose a dog pen from the many options available on the market today, in a variety of sizes and styles. The basic design of each is the same, however. They are made from durable yet lightweight metal and collapse for easy storage, but they set up in just seconds. Simply unfold the panels into whatever shape you'd like and clip them together with the ring clips that are provided. If you choose to use your pen outside, you can anchor it to the ground with specially designed ground clips for more stability.

Australian Shepherd puppy sitting indoors.

Carlos / stock.adobe.com

An exercise pen can help keep your dog safe and protect the rest of your house from damage while providing plenty of room for them to move around and play.

It's really that easy. The lightweight, foldable design also lets you take it with you when you travel. It can especially come in handy if you take your dog to agility trials, allowing you to create a safe place for relaxation between rounds of competition. There are so many uses for dog exercise pens that they will quickly become a favorite for you and your dog. Some even come equipped with a door so that you can have easy access once the pen is set up.

MidWest Life Stages Folding Metal Dog Crate
MidWest Life Stages Folding Metal Dog Crate includes a divider. Crate Size: 42L x 28W x 31H inches. Use the divider panel to adjust the length of living area as your puppy grows.

The adaptability of a dog pen doesn't stop there, though. You can even combine it with your dog's crate for training purposes. This is particularly handy when you use it indoors. This way, rather than enclosing your dog in his crate, you can allow him a little more room to stretch his legs while still keeping him safely confined. It works for puppies and adult dogs alike and in time they come to love the safety and comfort of their personal space.

Want more room for your dog? You can combine two sets of pens together to make it that much bigger. This is a great option, especially when using the pen outdoors. Note: Some models, like the Midwest Exercise Pen available here on Amazon, allow you to order a pen without a door. You might want to make the second set one without a door. (Unless you want two doors, of course.)

Nuvet Plus and Nuvet Hip & Joint Support

You Can Use Your Dog Pen Outdoors Too!

For outdoor use you can also get a wire mesh top or, for some models, a specially designed sunscreen to block out harmful UV rays. It's a great way to ensure that active breeds like the Australian Shepherd have a way to stretch their legs and it works for smaller and less energetic breeds too. Dog exercise pens range in price from $35 to as much as $140, or more, for higher end models.

As a concerned owner, you want to make sure that your dog gets the exercise he needs but at the same time you want to be sure that he's safe. With a sturdy, easy to assemble dog pen you can solve both problems at once and you and your dog will benefit from the safety and security they provide.

Check Out More Dog Exercise Pens on Amazon

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