(Part 2) Best dog playpens according to redditors

Here you go fren: https://www.amazon.com/PETMAKER-Pop-Up-Playpen-Deluxe-Carrying/dp/B00SNNI7PQ/ref=pd_sbs_199_4?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00SNNI7PQ&pd_rd_r=TZEH2Y3HKMZM10G3G3KR&pd_rd_w=XiDhb&pd_rd_wg=53Vm2&psc=1&refRID=TZEH2Y3HKMZM10G3G3KR

It does get better and you get better at managing it.

I found two reactive boys. One is still afraid of people but he will now warm up to them if they ignore him and he can "sneak" up and sniff them. He is safe and very sweet, though he'll still bark at first. The other also has neurological issues and will never be safe with anyone outside of his small core group of friends.

They've taught me so much about dogs. The first lesson was to go slow. I didn't realize I was pushing them beyond their comfort zone. I thought because they made one step they were ready for the second. Everything had to be done at their own speed, their own timeline.

I know where every quiet park is within 20 minutes of my house.

I take my dogs to the vet's office every few weeks to be weighed so they are comfortable there.

I had to learn how to manage my expectations. They were never going to be cured. One boy is safe with people but still looks to bolt out of every open door. The other boy will never get that far. I had to accept that I wasn't going to end up with two normal dogs.

I learned that to keep them safe from the world I had to keep the world safe from them. I moved to a house from a condo. I put up a 6' privacy fence. I don't walk them around the neighborhood. I made the yard as escape proof as possible. I have at least a gate and a door between them and outside. If one fails there is an emergency backup.

Everyone who enters my house is given the rules. They are not allowed to go look at the dogs. They know that every door they walk through needs to be closed behind them. They know what to do to protect themselves if there is failure and they are charged by my crazy boy. I used to be embarrassed that he was that way, I didn't want anyone to think less of him. Then I realized he didn't care what anyone thought of him, neither should I.

X-pens are your friend. They allow me to confine my dogs or separate spaces.

https://www.amazon.com/BestPet-Playpen-Exercise-24-Inch-30-Inch/dp/B0036WQFQM

I've learned to think out creative solutions. To think ahead, to not over train.

Since I've turned my house into a safe, no stress zone for my boys they are happy and relaxed. We hardly have to deal with reactions. I never forget it's lurking there, but it doesn't rule my life.

I had one of these. It's just a little playpen for pets, but flipped upside down and filled with plastic balls. I regret I did not think of this and just got rid of mine when I moved...

I bought them on amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0083ZWZ2K/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Personally I love a few examples of homes and cool things in them on reddit I have recently seen, depending on you plans you could combine the best parts of these and use them as examples.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Rabbits/comments/9lx8n5/brought_home_an_eight_week_old_netherland_dwarf/

https://www.reddit.com/r/Rabbits/comments/9ljdx1/new_room_who_dis/

https://www.reddit.com/r/Rabbits/comments/9fobf1/finished_up_my_custom_hutches_for_mochi_and_basil/

https://www.reddit.com/r/Rabbits/comments/9o6p92/carrot_and_buddys_new_condo_is_ready_for_them_to/

https://www.reddit.com/r/Rabbits/comments/9o87d3/dustys_pen_all_nice_and_clean_links_to_everything/?utm_source=reddit-android

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I love the way that you can use cheap storage cubes to build a really great and large custom bunny space https://www.amazon.com/LANGRIA-Storage-Shelving-Organization-Bookcase/dp/B06XR3PMXK?ref_=w_bl_hsx_s_ho_web_13643573011



Some thiings to look at below:

http://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Housing#Size_guidelines - housing size guidelines

Quick video guide on how to set up bunny housing here (more resources toward the end of this guide):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuv9MX6cA_c&feature=youtu.be

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2AlWHF5sVM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DO69sadBqc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzS82KZ7ADo - how to build you own cage

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You can find lots of links to buying some nice things to outfit you bunny's space toward the very end of my little summary: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1Z_IvDuy5Fr-VOKwBVBSmZih0m1ATCIquIMhYyFl4aIw

This looks like the one I have for my cat when we first got her because we were unsure how she would be with chinchillas when he left. (Turns out she's terrified of them)

Rubbing chin means she likes you. :)

Please get her fixed! It is very important for her health and behaviors.

Take a look at the link below to help you interpret various bunny language:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ruK6AXVLhiM


Also, if she’s in a store bought cage, maybe consider enlarging her space to allow for binkies and other behaviors :) an Xpen is the minimum size a rabbit should live in, those back legs are long and need space!: this is an example

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0758FQTV7/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_Gnp0CbZH7G671

If a pro does the installation, they typically do all of it themselves. Digging, setting posts, cleanup, everything. BUT, if the ground is frozen, good luck finding one that will do it. Most in my country (US), won’t. Maybe they’re different up there?

As for a temporary solution for your pup, if you can’t get it done in time, try garden fencing. You drive stakes into the ground, and it can be pretty secure. Another option is something like this it’s also portable if y’all travel a lot. I hope this helps!

It's not the brand that I have, but looks identical: Amazon link.

I set mine up like this. I used a tray of woodchips for pottytraining, because that was what the breeder used (and I didn't want to use paper/potty pads that might have similar texture to other objects in our house).

I just used clips to attach the pen to the crate. It kept my golden retriever puppy pretty well enclosed except for once when I didn't secure it properly and she ran around the house.
I ordered the exercise pen from Amazon for about $40. I got the crate second hand from a friend.

They’re very similar but the difference is they the metal bars are horizontal on the critter nation and vertical on the ferret nation. The horizontal bars allow the ferrets to climb up it which is not ideal and can potentially be dangerous.

The best playpen I’ve seen is from clearly loved pets but it is very expensive. I’ve used the ones you can buy on amazon that are like plastic rectangles that clip together. They don’t work and have killed other ferrets in the past. Mine learned how to push their heads through until the clips popped, it’s happened to other people that it crushed the ferrets neck though. I have this one now which isn’t exactly open and what I would like but it works for temporary situations Parkland Pet Portable Foldable Playpen Exercise Kennel Dogs Cats Indoor/Outdoor Removable Mesh Shade Cover, Medium https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01E7PHXR6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_6iuIDbE8T3EQV

I recently upgraded to these storage cubes and love them!

It looks like it would be big enough, if that bottom run is included. She would need to cover up the wire flooring, as that can be quite damaging to bunny feet.


But, if she's keeping it indoors, a large expen would be far more cost and space efficient. You can get pretty decent ones for $50-$100 online. They're easier to clean, move, assemble, and get the bun in/out of. Plus, she would save well over $100 which could be put towards toys and treats :)



I use this one for my two buns, but anything similar would work quite well. This particular brand has several colors and panel sizes available, at a variety of costs. My pen is a bit massive.


http://www.amazon.com/IRIS-Plastic-Exercise-Containment-Panels/dp/B0083ZWZ2K/ref=sr_1_2?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1376487326&sr=1-2&keywords=iris+exercise+pen

EliteField 2-Door Soft Pet Playpen, Exercise Pen, Multiple Sizes and Colors Available for Dogs, Cats and Other Pets (62" x 62" x 36"H, Beige+Green)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M4O1A6A/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_.5HQCbCSXFXTP

It's typically called an X-Pen and you can get them with or without a door latch on one panel. Looks like there is a very affordable option on Amazon Prime for less than $30 USD https://smile.amazon.com/BestPet-Metal-Wire-Playpen-Black/dp/B0036WQFQM/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1518828453&sr=8-12&keywords=x-pen

We drove with our three cats from CT to AZ about three years ago.

We got a Pet Ego Tube - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007OASY2/ref=oh_details_o04_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

And a Play Pen - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002ABKBQA/ref=oh_details_o05_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

In the middle of each day's drive we stopped and set up a disposable litter box in the pen and let them have some fresh air.

We also gave them wet food, which they had a bit of. We had one kitty that was sick at the time, so she stayed in a carrier upfront with us, and the two boys hung out in the tube even though there would have been a lot of space even with all three cats in the tube.

Motel 6's nationwide accept pets. You will want to keep them in the bathroom or in the tube/playpen as if there's a tight area they can squirm into, they will.

They didn't eat or use the litter box much throughout the entire trip. They meowed for about 20 miles, but they quieted down each day.

Other than that we used calming spray before bringing them in the room at night.

We stopped by in Columbus, OH, St. Louis, Missouri, and Amarillo, TX. The fourth day we were in our apartment and it took about a week for the kitties to mellow out.

Because we were driving the car out anyway, we didn't look into airfare. With one kitty sick, we weren't into the idea of giving medication to calm her. I don't know the details about flying. If we move somewhere without a car, I'd look into it further. From what I remember, individual carriers with the names and destination. They are kept below seats in the luggage area that has some more environmental controls for air and temperature. You can't fully sedate, or they won't take the animal. They do some sort of responsive test, but I don't know/remember the details.

Best of luck with the move!

This one, but I haven't received it yet, so I can't speak to the quality.

Here is part of our setup. It is somewhat messy right now as I haven't vaccuumed it in a week or so.

For the floor, we have some cheap tarps and rugs. The buns are pretty good about using their litterboxes but it is always better to be safe than sorry if there is an accident.

We got our pens on Amazon... And wow, looking right now they are on super sale for only $10! As of 12/12, 10:20 AM EST. Plus $15 shipping but still, that is a good deal. I think we spent about $50 per pen. Anyway, I recommend either the 24" or 36" pens because you would be surprised how high some buns can jump. If you have a an athletic bun, I would go with the higher pen.

Stanley (brown bunny) is allowed to free roam so his pen door is open. He still likes his pen a lot though and spends about 75% of his time in there despite the fact he has free reign. Bessie has a larger pen space because she doesn't get to free roam (yet) but still loves to run and binky. We also made her a 3-story cardboard castle which she LOVES. She climbs to the top and then slides down the ramp.

They each have a cheap cloth pet hut as well to sleep in if they want. Stanley loves his and sleeps in it all the time. Bessie doesn't really use hers. They do like to chew on them though so I recommed a cheap one that you don't care much about in case it gets destroyed.

Stanley has a rabbit hutch in his enclosure as well from when we lived in an apartment. He still had a small enclosure too but we wanted to give him something else to do and he loved sleeping on the upper floor so he could see us when we were in the living room. We got that hutch a year and a half ago and it has held up pretty well.

For their food and water bowls, we just got generic pet bowls. I recommend ones that will be hard to flip over in case you have a messy bunny (ie. heavy ceramic ones or non-flippable lipped ones). The water dispensers we got at Walmart for a few bucks and are 1/2 gallon (I think?). We change them every few days and the buns like having a ton of fresh water.

As for hay and food, I usually leave the hay bag on top of Stan's hutch for easy access and give them some hay throughout the day. It is open in the picture because I just gave them some; usually it is closed. We also have a stand with all bun-related things (food, treats, extra hay, toys, etc.) which is just an old bookstand. It is two stories so we can keep the food and treats out of reach of Stanley when he roams.

And we have the bun cam (as set up by my fiance) so we can see the bunnies when we aren't home.

When I vacuum, I just put them in the bathroom and shut the door so there isn't as much noise. They don't seem to mind it too much.

Sorry for the length... Tried to be as thorough as possible. Let me know if you have any questions!

Oh! I thought you meant poop guards in the cage!
The trim in the room is a different story entirely!
Yes- you are correct. The paint is extremely toxic.
We use a playpen to control where in the room they can access.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0758FQTV7/ref=sxbs_sxwds-deals_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1543088202&sr=1

It's this one but it doesn't look available now. [Chicken Pens Crate Rabbit Enclosure Pet Playpen Exercise Pen] (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OVUBOAK/ref=cm_sw_r_other_awd_.oq7wbAWFZ9M9) I only paid $75 for mine. I bought it in May 2015.

Ah, yeah. I gave in and got something like this thing. I still use it stretched out sometimes to block off areas.

Have you considered getting a larger play pen as opposed to a kennel, like this or something? I know people do kennel dogs for that long regularly, but I didn't like to with mine at least once they were old enough to trust through the night.

Also, are you looking at a puppy, or potentially an adult rescue? With your schedule, an adult would be a better fit I think.

Edit - Also, every dog is different. My ACD is more than happy to be lazy and nap through ~80% of the daytime, as long as she gets some good solid play for the other 20%. My Border Collie is another story... I think he would play until he was no longer physically able to move if I let him

Could you get a pen as a temporary fix? There are even larger ones too.

Insecure dogs want to pee on the bed because the bed smells like you and they want to add their scent to yours (that's what I was told when I had a dog that would pee on the bed years ago). I tried everything that I could think of, including not letting her have unsupervised access to the bed (but she would still pee on it right in front of me). It got so bad with her that I could not let her into the bedroom any more (I ended up buying a new mattress set and there was no way she was going to have access to it). But hopefully your dog will return to normal once she feels secure in your yard. It seems that she should since she was doing alright before.

I'd focus on making a safe space for her outside with pens if possible. Of course if she is small and you have coyotes or other predators I wouldn't leave her unsupervised out there. But I also wouldn't leave a large dog unsupervised in one of those pens because I don't think they're very secure. I'd at least be peeking out a window. If setting up a pen isn't possible then I'd line the bathroom with potty pads and close her in there until she pees on one (remember to close the toilet and make sure medications are safely put away where they cant get to them). It's going backwards in potty training and I'm sure I'll get downvoted for it but it's better than peeing on the bed. I had another dog that had major surgery and while he was recovering he couldn't get in or out and that's what I did, I put potty pads in the bathroom. I had noticed that he went in there and peed once when he couldn't get to the door (I think because he knew that's where we go) so that's why I chose to put the potty pads in there. It worked while he recovered, and then he returned to his normal potty training afterwards. So it's not the end of the world to regress a little if you have to.

Anyway, it sounds like you need to provide a safe-feeling space for her to go in.

Found the exact one! Link

My concern here is that you have a dog who has growled and snapped consistently, and you're still letting the children around her, without doing any training. This is setting the dog up to fail, and setting the children up to get hurt. Kids that little should never be around a dog unless it's completely handled and trained for small children prior to the meet. Until you have this under control, you need to keep them separated, except for 100% supervised, controlled sessions. Something like an indoor pen would be a great solution, so she can still be around the family, but safely contained.

I would really recommend seeing a professional trainer, who's dealt with aggressive dogs before. Even if you only see them once or twice, they'll be able to give you tips specifically for your dog and situation, and get you jump-started on a plan to handle this as soon as possible. This is the best way to keep an accident from happening.

You should get a puppy playpen for times you can't watch him.

Not sure if it's the same... a friend has one made my Oxgord that looks close to this .. they make everything... even car parts :) This one on amazon.

That's gonna be a handful, but I'm sure they can handle it! I highly recommend purchasing something like this playpen so that when they start being more mobile, they can stay out of trouble and the mom can get some rest when she doesn't want to be near them. Also, using an old tablet with google hangouts running pointed on the puppers is good, so that they can be checked on when your friends are away. If their vet thinks they can do it, I'm sure they can and will have a very rewarding experience.

A friend of mine was in a similar situation with her small yard and Maltese. She ended up buying pet fence panels that can be strung together to any length or configuration you need.

My brother has a dog that is an escape artist. She has found a multitude of ways to escape the fence and gets in fights with the neighbor's dog. They finally had to resort to a wireless containment system. Rather than have to bury a cable that shocks the dog when they cross it, this is a fence that goes off when the dog gets too far away from the base receiver. So say you set the base by the back door, the dog can go up to 90 feet away from the base before being buzzed.

I'd suggest getting an exercise pen to put around the tree to keep it out of reach! You can get them pretty cheap, like this one on Amazon - ex pen

I have a regular 2x5, but I needed a cheap summer cage for my bedroom (where the AC is) so I bought a foldable, moveable dog cage on Amazon for about $40 and use that.

I use fleece as the bedding (with towels underneath) and you can always put another absorbant layer or protector down ( such as an old sheet, shower liner, etc.). The cage just sits on top, with the fleece and towels tucked under each side so the piggies can't dig.

The way I have mine folded, it's 2x4, but you can put it into different shapes, make it longer or shorter, etc.

Edit: Here's the one I purchased, but there's other options available.

> "I have a corner litter box that I put some soiled bedding in, but they keep pooping all over the cage."

It basically looks like a slice of pie, it's supposed to go in the corner.

Thanks for all your information, I really want to do right by these rabbits. I'm actually considering something more along a playpen style for all day housing, but I'm not sure if that mat (with bedding on top of it) will be enough to protect my carpet (and if the cage will be enough to stop the bedding from just falling through it). I also don't want them to jump out of it.

Do you have any recommendations for a) getting them to use the litterbox and b) getting them to use the water bottle? Also, they seem to like emptying the food bowls and then filling the bowls with bedding...

Unfortunately, I can't offer any advice about that. We had a direct flight from Narita to San Francisco. I would say that your best bet would be to maybe harness train kitty? People would for sure get a giggle out of seeing a cat on a leash walking around an airport terminal--my cats would not cooperate, their harnesses somehow manage to paralyze them, and the effect remains until the harness is removed. If you wanted to be super crazy, you could totally get one of those pop-up pet playpens (like this). Best of luck!

Does your pup have free reign over the house? My wife and I have raised two puppies and have had the most success by limiting access as part of their training. Our Standard Schnauzer spent the first few months with us, when we were out of the house, in the living room in an X-Pen. We use this one: http://www.amazon.com/IRIS-Plastic-Exercise-Containment-Panels/dp/B0083ZWZ2K/ref=sr_1_24?ie=UTF8&qid=1409243011&sr=8-24&keywords=x+pen, but your pup will probably eat it.

It is quite possible your pup doesn't know what to do when he's alone with so much room. It's a common misconception that keeping your dog in a room while you're away is "mean" to the dog. In stages, we gave our dog more room while we were away and he adjusted perfectly. No accidents whatsoever.

We have cameras set up in our home and I can tell you that our dog literally sleeps all day in one room. Sometimes two. That's it.

Your pup may also require a lot more exercise prior to being left alone. Our Standard Schnauzer, who is now almost 3 years old, get's on average a 1.5 mile walk and 15 minutes of running in our backyard, chasing frisbees and other fetch toys EVERY MORNING. And this is a 42 lbs. dog. He gets an hour walk every evening too.

Now, some dogs can have actual anxiety issues that may require working with a behaviorist and perhaps medication. The most important thing, IMHO, is understanding your dog's particular needs. Try limiting the space, maybe set up a webcam and keep a log of his behavior, and try more exercise.

If you can get her in a kennel. Vets use big towels and big thick gloves and sedative drugs to sedate in carriers often. Maybe a carrier with a very big opening might work. Good luck.



https://www.amazon.com/Parkland-Pet-Portable-Foldable-Removable/dp/B01E7PHXR6/ref=mp_s_a_1_14?keywords=soft%2Bdog%2Bcrate&qid=1573442976&sr=8-14&th=1&psc=1


https://www.amazon.com/Petnation-Port-Crate-Indoor-Outdoor/dp/B0018MM8RC/ref=mp_s_a_1_13?keywords=soft+dog+crate&qid=1573442976&sr=8-13

You can teach a dog to respect a fence even if they could easily jump it. As long as there is a physical barrier that the pup can see they can learn to respect it.

My golden learned to respect decorative garden fencing that wasn't even a foot high.

For a lab I would use something a little more substantial since it's also going to be the perimeter fence. Something like:

This kind of fence

Would be fine until the teenage months when your pup might push the boundaries and maybe even jump the fence or push it over.

In my opinion one shouldn't leave a young dog unsupervised in the yard so you'll have lots of opportunity to reinforce proper behaviour when it comes to the fencing. Never lift or carry your pup over the fence. Never encourage your pup to go to the other side of the fence. If you do the idea will form in their head that they can go back there.

If they've never gone there they have a much stronger chance of never trying to go there.

My rabbit likes to dig like a gopher and eat EVERYTHING in the enclosure. Nothing grows and I have lots of structures to play on and tubes to run through so that he doesn't get bored and dig. That being said, it would depend on what kind of trouble your rabbits have a tendency to get into. I also don't let then out in the run when it rains, but the ground here in California soaks up the rain pretty well, so I usually don't worry about it. I saved myself the trouble and bought this, best decision I have made in a while.

May not be in your price range, but it's the best one I've found for my uses.

Removable sections. A door. Quality build.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MU2F3GM/ref=twister_B01LMPLNE8?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

I don't know if its available in the UK though.

Good luck with your lovely bunny! We got this 2 story hutch at Amazon and connected two play pens with s-hooks for our bunnies. It's really nice and not expensive - free shipping with prime too.

http://www.amazon.com/Advantek-Stilt-House-Rabbit-Hutch/dp/B0087BI9KW/

http://www.amazon.com/Kaytee-Pet-N-Playpen-Rabbit-Guinea-Ferret/dp/B000MD3OJO

We found a rug at a yard sale and my daughter and I made a bunny maze for them out of an Amazon box that a shipment of their food and litter came in:
http://whatsfun.com/how-to-make-a-pretty-bunny-maze/

Have fun decorating her new home!

It was this pen from Amazon. Pricey (cost more than my cot or tent) but absolutely worth it, it made my life so much easier!

If you have a little cash, go to Home Depot or Lowes and buy a couple rolls of this rug/carpet stuff. Looks kinda like what you might have by the pedals in your car, except black and rubber on bottom. Really cheap. I think in the flooring area, but forget where exactly we got them.

Then on Amazon buy one of these http://www.amazon.com/Pet-Trex-Premium-Quality-Exercise/dp/B0052HH5UE/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1377990277&sr=8-4&keywords=pet+pen

My wife and I have been through this all before. Couple very happy rabbits at our (not totally destroyed) house. PM me any questions you might have if you ever have any. I love rabbits and love helping people give them the best care they can.