How To Make a Puppy Play Area? - OwnPlayground (2024)

So, you have spent several days, weeks, or even months researching the best dog breed for your family, and now you have one. You have scheduled to pick up the puppy, and everything seems to be in place but wait, what about a designated area for the puppy to play? Although you may not have considered this when planning on getting a new dog, it is one of the most important things that will determine your success.

So, how do you make a puppy play area? The first thing you need to do is pick up an appropriate spot in your home. Ensure the location has plenty of space to provide enough room for the setup. From there, prepare the area appropriately, designate a sleeping area, add some toys, water, exercise pens, and puppy-proof the space. Be sure to test out everything and introduce your puppy to the area gradually. It may take some time before your pet is fully accustomed to the play area you just designed.

This post discusses everything you need to know about setting up a puppy play area. Read on to learn more.

Why Do You Need a Designated Puppy Play Area?

Before we dive deep into discussing how to set up a puppy play area, it is worth mentioning why you need one in the first place.

Generally, every puppy needs an area where it can be safely confined when it is not supervised. This is important because puppies are naturally curious and can get into trouble if they are left to roam around unsupervised.

A designated puppy play area will help keep your puppy safe and out of trouble when you cannot watch it closely. It will also help prevent your puppy from developing separation anxiety or other behavioral issues that can occur when left alone in an unrestricted environment.

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In addition, having a designated play area for your little friend will also help potty train it more effectively. Typically, puppies are less likely to relieve themselves in an area where they play or sleep.

So, if you want to teach your little furry friend good manners and set it up for success in the future, you need to create a designated puppy play area.

How to Set Up a Puppy Play Area

Now that we have discussed the importance of having a designated play area for your puppy, it is time to look at how you can set one up in your home.

Here are some simple tips that you can follow:

1. Pick an Appropriate Location

The first step to setting up a good puppy play area in your home is choosing an appropriate location for it.

Ideally, the play area should be located in an area of your home that gets a lot of foot traffic. This will help socialize your puppy and get it used to people moving around.

In addition, the play area should also be close to where you spend most of your time so that you can easily keep an eye on your puppy.

If you have a large home, you may consider setting up the puppy play area in a laundry room, mudroom, or kitchen since these are typically high-traffic areas.

On the other hand, if you live in a smaller home or apartment, you may want to set up a play area in your living room or bedroom.

No matter where you choose to have the puppy play area, ensure that it is not in an isolated area of your home where your little family friend will feel anxious or lonely.

2. Prepare the Area

Once you have selected an appropriate location for the puppy play area, it is time to prepare it.

First, clear out any clutter or objects that may be harmful to your puppy. This includes small items your puppy could choke on, cleaning supplies, and toxic plants.

You should also remove any loose wires or cords from the area to prevent your puppy from chewing on them. Ensure the area is well-ventilated to prevent your puppy from feeling stuffy.

Once you have cleared out the area, you can start to set it up. Use baby gates to section off the area or create a makeshift pen using chairs or boxes.

Just ensure that the area is big enough for your puppy to move around freely and that there are no gaps or holes that your puppy could squeeze through.

If you have a small puppy, you may want to line the area with newspapers or potty pads to help with the potty-training process.

3. Designate a Sleeping Area

Puppies love to sleep, so having a designated sleeping area within the play area is essential. This can be as simple as setting up a dog bed or crate in the corner of the room.

Make sure that the bed or crate is big enough for your puppy to move around and stretch out in.

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Additionally, the sleeping area should be located in a quiet corner of the room away from foot traffic to help your puppy feel relaxed and secure.

If you are using a crate, you may want to cover it with a blanket or towel to create a cozy space for your little furry friend.

4. Add Some Toys

Once you have prepared the area, it is time to add some toys. Puppies are naturally curious and love to play, so providing them with plenty of stimulation in their play area is essential.

One way to do this is to add a few toys your puppy can chew on, such as rawhide bones or Nylabones. You can also add some soft plush toys for your puppy to cuddle with.

And, if your puppy is particularly active, you may want to add a few interactive toys, such as puzzle toys or treat dispensers, to keep it occupied.

5. Add Water

In addition to adding some toys, you should also include a water bowl in the play area so your puppy can stay hydrated. Change the water regularly and wash the bowl often to prevent the water from becoming stagnant.

You may want to consider investing in a water fountain for your puppy. Water fountains are specially designed to keep water fresh and aerated, which helps to encourage your puppy to drink more.

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Check the water bowl frequently to ensure it is always clean. You don’t want your little feline friend to develop health complications as a result of drinking or playing with dirty water. Ideally, you should check the state of water in the bowl every day.

6. Add Exercise Pens

Exercise pens are a must-have for any puppy play area. Not only do they provide your puppy with a safe place to play, but they also give you a way to keep an eye on your little friend while you are busy.

They ensure your puppy isn’t locked up in the crate the whole day without exercise. Typically, exercise pens are made from metal or plastic and have a gate that allows you to easily let your puppy in and out.

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They come in various sizes, so make sure to choose one that is big enough for your puppy to move around freely.

They can be used both indoors and outdoors, so they are a versatile addition to any puppy play area.

7. Puppy-Proof the Area

Once you have set up the play area, it is essential to puppy-proof it to ensure your furry friend is safe when left alone.

To do this, you should closely examine the area and identify any potential hazards.

For example, if you have included any electrical cords in the play area, make sure they are well out of your puppy’s reach.

You should also ensure that any small items, such as coins or buttons, are out of reach or put away in a safe place.

Furthermore, look for gaps or holes your puppy could squeeze through and block them off with furniture or baby gates.

Finally, if you have any plants in the play area, ensure they are non-toxic and not accessible to your puppy.

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After you have puppy-proofed the area, you can start to use it. Be sure to supervise your puppy first to ensure that it is not getting into trouble.

As your puppy gets more comfortable in the play area, you can start to leave it alone for short periods of time.

Final Thoughts

A puppy play area is a great way to give your little friend a safe place to play and explore.

When setting up the play area, be sure to remove any hazards, such as loose wires or cords, and add plenty of toys and water.

Additionally, exercise pens are a must-have for any puppy play area as they provide your puppy with a safe place to play and give you a way to keep an eye on your little friend.

Following these tips will help you create the perfect puppy play area for your furry friend. It is now time for you to setup an exciting play area for your little friend!

Last update on 2023-07-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

How To Make a Puppy Play Area? - OwnPlayground (2024)

FAQs

How do you make a puppy play area? ›

Things that can be included in a play area: Agility equipment – tunnels, jumps, platforms etc. for an owner to interact with their dog and train them to use. Toys – interactive toys such as tug ropes are great for owners to play with their dogs, or two dogs to play (supervised!)

What should puppy play look like? ›

Behaviors that say it's all good fun

The play bow – front end down, back end in the air. Sometimes the dog trying to initiate play will slap his front legs down on the ground repeatedly. A big, silly open-mouthed grin. Exaggerated, bouncy movement.

What is the correct way to play with a puppy? ›

Making sure play is always with toys and not hands can help stop your puppy from getting confused and can help prevent puppy biting. Toys specially designed for teething puppies can be gentler on little mouths. Puppies generally get their adult teeth between 4 and 6 months old, although each puppy is different.

Can I leave my puppy in a playpen all day? ›

Can I leave my puppy in a playpen all day? We don't recommend you leave dogs on their own all day while you go out, they're social creatures, after all. But if you're working or hanging out from home, you can leave them in there whilst also giving them regular potty and play breaks.

How can I make my puppy more playful? ›

Encourage your dog with gentle praising, building to excited physical and verbal praise when your dog is more enthusiastic. Dogs can also be encouraged to play with toys by using a toy designed to have food pushed into it. Show your dog the toy, let your dog sniff the food and then roll the toy along the floor.

What does aggressive puppy play look like? ›

Some of the most common forms of aggressive play occur when a dog bites their pet parent, scratches them, or otherwise causes some kind of unpleasant physical interaction. Your puppy's instincts to bite are not going to go away, and this is especially true if they are currently in the process of teething.

Is it OK to let puppies play rough? ›

Proper play can include biting (mouthing) each other. This is ok unless a puppy bites too hard causing the other puppy to yelp and DOES NOT let go. Sometimes they bite too hard by accident, it happens they are learning, but they must let go!

What kind of play do puppies need? ›

10 Fun Things to do at Home with Your Puppy!
  • Sniff Out The Treat! ...
  • Puzzle Games, Snuffle Mats, and Food-Dispensing Toys. ...
  • Practice Obedience Training. ...
  • Teach Your Pup “Go Find” ...
  • Teach Your Puppy Toy Names. ...
  • Reinforce Your Puppy's Recall. ...
  • Play a Game of Fetch or Catch. ...
  • Play a Game of Tug.
Mar 23, 2020

How do you build a puppy yard? ›

7 Dog-Friendly Backyard Ideas On a Budget
  1. Install a Dog-Friendly Fence. Dogs need plenty of space to exercise and get the zoomies out of their system. ...
  2. Choose a Dog-Friendly Ground Cover. ...
  3. Grow Dog-Safe Flowers and Plants. ...
  4. Create Shade in Your Yard. ...
  5. Install a Water Feature. ...
  6. Build a Backyard Dog Path. ...
  7. Install a Sandbox.
Mar 22, 2024

How do you make a puppy pool? ›

The easiest of the self-created dog pools, all you need is a plastic kiddie pool – the hard plastic, not an inflatable one – and some cinder blocks of your choosing. Dig down relative to the depth of your plastic pool, then increase the area's diameter to include your cinder block border.

What not to do when playing with a puppy? ›

Don't…
  1. Allow puppies off the lead until you're sure of their play etiquette.
  2. Allow any puppy to be bullied – it has to be a positive experience remember.
  3. Take your eyes off the puppy play.
  4. Over use their name to get them out of a situation, just intervene and take your puppy away (this is why keeping leads on will help)
Aug 23, 2019

What is a normal puppy play? ›

In normal play,a puppy may bow (lower its head and raise its hind end), present its front and side to the owner, wag its tail, dart back and forth, emit high pitched barks and growls, and spontaneously attack people or objects. Generally, its ears will be up and its mouth will be open and relaxed.

What do puppies love? ›

Puppies love physical affection, and if they want it, they will seek it out from their favorite people. They may lean against you while you're sitting on the couch or on the floor. It's a way of showing they feel safe and secure around you.

Is a crate or playpen better for a puppy? ›

Playpens can be more appropriate than crates for use at night as they offer more space for movement. It can also be useful while your puppy is young and learning how to adjust to their new life with you.

Is a puppy playpen a good idea? ›

An expandable dog pen can be a great help. You get peace of mind knowing exactly where your furry friend is, and what they're playing with, and they have lots of room to play safely. A dog playpen will also help your puppy feel more secure in their new surroundings and give them an area they can proudly call their own!

How rough should you let puppies play? ›

Always use toys when playing with puppies, never your bare hands. This way you will have something big enough to guide into the puppy's mouth when he wants to bite and tug. Be careful when playing with young pups; don't tug hard enough to hurt them. They may be pretending to be fierce, but they are still babies.

Where should I keep my puppy during the day? ›

Even if you're home during the day, your puppy should spend time in a crate or pen; this will help him learn how to be alone when necessary. It's also impossible to know what a puppy will get into when you turn away for a moment and there needs to be a place to put him when you can't supervise directly.

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