It’s time to train your new puppy. You get out your new puppy checklist, and notice that many dog trainers recommend using a puppy playpen. But to you it seems like putting your puppy in prison. Is it cruel to use a puppy playpen when you are training your pup?

If your life is busy, you will find that a puppy playpen is an essential piece of equipment for raising a well balanced, well-behaved puppy.

The first reason is a puppy playpen will allow you to take brief periods to relax away from your pet. This is important because you know how frustrating a new puppy can be, and it is vital to be relaxed and consistent when training your new pup.

Secondly, a puppy playpen teaches your animal self-control. Dogs that live with humans need to be taught to lie down and relax when no one wants has the time to give them attention. When you put your pet in a puppy playpen the dog has limited options for activity and will quickly learn to settle down.

If you introduce your puppy to his playpen at a very early age, he will accept it as part of life, and he will actually enjoy it. If your puppy is older, introduce him to his playpen by leaving the door open and putting a bed inside where he can sleep when he’s tired. Throw some treats into the pen and slowly and calmly close the door behind him as he enjoys his treats.

Talk frequently to your puppy when he is in the pen and he will enjoy being in there.

When your dog is free to wander you aren’t there to supervise. As a result, bad behavior goes uncorrected and good behavior isn’t learned by your pet. A puppy playpen prevents this wandering and stops your puppy from getting into all sorts of mischief — such as chewing on electrical wires, stealing shoes from your closet — well, you get the idea.

Remember to put chew toys on your new puppy checklist. That way, when you put him in his playpen you can put a couple of chew toys in with him. He can be left there safely whenever you are unable to concentrate on him. When you let your puppy out you are there to teach him right and wrong and this is a kindness to your puppy. Why? It’s because he is rewarded for his good behavior and is taught to learn from his bad behavior. This makes the training process easier, quicker, and less painful for your pup.

A puppy playpen is NOT a jail. Do not use it as a punishment when your puppy has misbehaved. If your pup does something wrong, correct him and show him what you want him to do. Then praise him when he does it.

Do not keep your puppy in the playpen for long periods — never more than two hours. He should be given as much time and attention outside the pen as possible.

Is a puppy playpen cruel? Not if it is used correctly. In fact, when used correctly it can not only give you necessary time away from your pet, it can also be a great tool help teach your puppy proper behavior. No doubt about it — when going down your new puppy checklist, don’t forget to include a puppy playpen.