Who Let the Dogs Out?(Or Awesome Advice About Pet Care)

Keeping Our Pups Safe

We must provide excellent care for our pups. This article centers on products that’ll help you and me fulfill this responsibility. Products that promote safety, keeping our dogs away from harm and danger. 

Reaching into my bag of ideas for this article, I thought about the hit song that became a national phenomenon in the 2000’s. 

The Baha Men won a Grammy in 2001 for spinning their own version.

The group’s chanty rendition rounded the bases of major league baseball stadiums in 2000. Sports Illustrated reported that “no fewer than five out of eight of baseball’s postseason teams were playing ‘Who Let the Dogs Out?’ as their rally song” by that October.

For those interested in the hit’s background, check out the The Farmer’s Dog Digest.  

But let’s think beyond the snappy tune of the hit song. The song’s title unlocks an opportunity to scour various products that’ll keep our furry friends safe and secure while we’re away from home.

According to Spots.com, 63.4 million people in the United States own a dog. 

If our dogs are house pets, we have a special responsibility to keep them safe. 

Some dogs are easy going and lie around the house. 

But there are some breeds that, if left alone, are mischievous and love to roam. 

Some disastrous possibilities lurk about like biting into an electrical cord, eating poison, or tearing up the house! 

Most of the time our dogs do their floor aerobics, fetch a ball, or maybe take a quick nap. 

But there are other times that we must not let the dogs out! And for these few instances there are options available to ensure that our canine friends stay out of harm’s way.

“Opie is our puppy. As a F1b Cavapoo, he studies everything! He’s mischievous! So…until he’s older, we wouldn’t think about leaving him alone in the house to do as he pleased.”

Ready, get set, go! Now let’s look at these options!

Playpens

Yeah, I know that when we say the word “playpens,” we automatically think of babies. Babies and playpens go together like MoonPie’s and RC Cola’s!

But playpens are made for puppies too! 

Doggie playpens come in a variety of materials: cloth, plastic, steel, and even PVC pipe! 

Some playpens can be used outdoors as well as indoors. 

There are different opinions on the number one playpen of 2023. 

So, take the suggestions, do your due diligence, and then make your selection. 

But before revealing those exciting lists, let’s cover some other important matters. Matters that are crucial in developing a positive experience for your pup.

What to Look for in a Doggie Playpen

What features make a playpen standout from the crowd? 

Well, below are a few thoughts that’ll help you make the best selection for your dog.

• Ease of Assembly. I don’t know about you but the ease of putting something together earns a high mark in my book! Do you have to read a schematic drawing to put the playpen together OR can you assemble it in record time?
• Durability is Important. Will it last during the lifetime of your furry friend? Buy a product made of good quality material that will not “fold” under pressure, because puppies and older dogs will put the pen to the test! 

• The Cost. Shop around for the best price. Don’t buy the cheapest or the most expensive one. A good rule of thumb is to buy a playpen in the middle range of cost.
• Can it be Stored Easily? Can you fold it up and place it out of the way without getting a hernia? 

• What Size Do You Need? Puppies will grow. Cavapoo puppies will get bigger (not as big as German Shepherds or Dalmatians or Great Danes). Factor in future growth of your puppy. After all, you don’t want to go through the process again of buying another playpen. No! No! 
• Appearance. You wouldn’t want an ugly, unsightly, bulky playpen sitting in the middle of your den, would you? I know beauty is in the eye of the beholder…but when it comes to doggie playpens don’t you want one that’s impressive? One that doesn’t resemble a fence for cows and horses?

Now for the Recommendations

First up is Popular Science’s List. 

Best for Small Dogs and Puppies: ESK Collection Puppy Dog Playpen

Best for Large Dogs: BestPet Pet Playpen Exercise Pen

Best for the Indoors: North States MyPet Petyard Passage

Best Versatile: Richell Convertible Indoor/Outdoor Pet Playpen

Best for Travel: EliteField Soft Pet Playpen

Best Budget: PETMAKER Exercise Playpen

Next is Best Products Review’s list of the 10 best indoor small dog playpens.

• First place goes to Gupamiga. Here’s a playpen made from heavy plastic.
• Second place: Iris, USA, Inc.
• Third place: Iris, USA, Inc. Playpen made of durable molded plastic.
• Fourth place: Amazon Basics. 60 x 60 x 24 inches, Foldable Metal Exercise Pet Play Pen
• Fifth place: Amazon Basics. 35 x 35 x 24, black heavy duty molded PP plastic.
• Sixth place: New World Pet Products Foldable Exercise Pet Playpen.
• Seventh place: Artmalle Puppy Pet Playpen.
• Eighth place: Ruff n’ Ruffus Portable Foldable Pet Playpen.
• Ninth place: FXW Rollick Dog Playpen.
• Tenth place: Midwest Homes Foldable Metal Dog Exercise Pen.

A Third List to Consider!

Bestchoice.com gives their top three choices.

Amazon Basics Foldable Metal Exercise Pet Play Pen

New World Pet Products B550-24 Foldable Exercise Pet Playpen

Iris USA 24” Exercise 4-Panel Pet Playpen with Door

There you have it! A spectacular choice of pup playpens that’ll keep your furry family member safe!

But What About Crates?

Opinions differ on whether to crate a dog or not. 

Critics raise the issue of ethics. 

For example, PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) strongly opposes the use of crates. Their webpage lists crating under the category of cruel practices.

I don’t believe anyone would disagree that in our universe of dog owners there are some who use crating in ways that are cruel and inhumane.  

However, using crates properly isn’t inhumane or cruel. 

Below are some rules to follow when crating to ensure a positive experience for your furry friend. 

• Do not crate your dog unattended for extended hours of time. Your pet needs water and food. He’ll need to relieve himself. He needs to exercise. Crating him for long periods of time is nothing short of neglect. 
• Do not use a crate for punishment. In fact, using the crate as a tool to punish will not correct behavioral issues but will compound those problems. 
• Make sure you place a soft bed in the crate so that your pup can rest while you’re away.
• Buy a large enough crate so that your dog can move around leisurely without any trouble.
• Make sure that there’s nothing in the crate that your puppy can choke on.
• Put a towel or blanket over the crate to give your dog a sense of security and safety.
• Don’t put the crate in a remote area like a bathroom where your dog will be isolated from everyone. He won’t think very highly of it and will begin to hate his crate.

While opinions vary over their use, a crate can be an effective tool to train your pup. 

They can provide safety while you’re away for short periods of time. 

The internet is flooded with reviews on dog crates. 

But if I could point you to the King of reviews and save you from all the legwork of reviewing reviews on crates, wouldn’t you be ecstatic?  

Well, here it is!

Wirecutter, the king of quality reviews, gives their report for 2023.

Best all-around crate goes to MidWest Ultima Pro Double Door Folding Dog Crate

Runner-up crate is MidWest LifeStages Double Door Collapsible Wire Dog Crate

Budget Pick is Frisco Heavy Duty Fold & Carry Double Door Collapsible Wire Dog Crate

Their “Also Great” selection goes to Petmate Ultra Vari Kennel

Another Option is Dog Gates

Maybe your dog isn’t too fond of a crate and perhaps your house is too small for a playpen.

There’s also the option of dog gates where you can partition off certain areas of the house like rooms, bathrooms, or stairways that are unsafe for your dog.

This alternative can give your pup more room to move about. 

Just make sure that the gates are sturdy and secure (and, of course, attractive) so that they’ll prevent your four-legged friend from crossing the line.

Consider Bob Vila’s recommendations for the top dog gates of 2023.

• Best Overall dog gate is Safety 1^st Easy Install Tall & Wide Walk Thru Gate.
• Best Bang for the Buck is Safety 1^st Eco-Friendly Nature Next Bamboo Gate.
• Best Freestanding goes to Arf Pets Free Standing Wood Dog Gate.
• Best for Stairs is Regalo Top of Stairs Baby Gate.
• Best Foldable is none other than Primetime Petz 360 Configurable Dog Gate with Door.
• Best for Small Dogs is Unipaws Freestanding Wooden Dog Gate.
• Best for Large Dogs is Carlson Extra Tall Walk Through Pet Gate with Door.
• Best Retractable is EasyBaby Retractable Baby Gate.
• Best Outdoor is Carlson Pet Products Outdoor Pet Pen and Gate.

Still Another Option-Maybe the Best One Yet!

What if you’re planning a vacation and you can’t take your “best friend” with you? 

What if your boss sends you on a business trip for a few days? 

What happens to Tiger? 

You can’t leave him alone!

A wonderful option that might be available is to have a trusted neighbor or family member drop by a couple of times a day to walk your puppy and to play with him. 

Even a better choice would be to hire someone you have full confidence in to stay at your house to doggie sit your pup. 

Not only will your furry family member’s tail wag incessantly, but you won’t have to worry about leaving him behind. You’ll know that he’ll be well cared for.

One Last Piece of Advice

Wouldn’t it be fantastic to have an extra set of eyes and ears on your pup if you need to run to the store or be away for a few hours?

Furbo is the answer!

Furbo has a camera that’ll follow your pooch around in real time. 

You’ll be able to see him, even talk to him through a microphone, and here’s an amazing feature—Furbo will throw treats to him! 

Talk about pacifying your pup while he’s in a playpen or behind a dog gate!

Just set it out of reach from your puppy’s paws by placing it on a countertop or some other higher elevation. 

Lift the wooden top off, pour some treats in, and plug it in.

Then watch as it pans the room following your dog. 

But don’t forget to download Furbo’s app!

Then you’ll be able to keep an eye on him while you’re buying more treats at the grocery store!

Conclusion

You may have noticed that my article focused on dogs in general. 

Specifically, dogs that are kept inside. 

If you’re the owner of a Cavapoo, like I am, then you can adjust the products we’ve discussed to the size of a smaller dog.

“Who Let the Dogs Out?” 

Little did the Baha Men realize back in 2000 that two decades later their hit would spawn an article about protecting our furry friends.

But let’s ask the question again. 

This time without framing it with music.

Who let the dogs out?

Now, here’s the answer.

You did when you arrived back home! 

You opened the crate or the playpen, or even the doggie gate and watched as Fido, Tiger, or Samson jumped up and down, greeting you enthusiastically. 

But remember, the question also infers that there are times when the dogs are not out! 

Certainly, there are brief times when you should use a crate, playpen, or doggie gate to make sure that your lovable pup will be safe when you’re not around.

After all, you can’t be with him 24/7. 

In fact, your dog needs some alone time—just like you. 

And by giving him a safe, secure place to rest you wear the trademark of a loving, responsible dog owner.

-Howell