If the puppy is crate trained he should continue to nap in the crate. However, if you decide not to crate train your puppy he can sleep in the playpen.
Using a playpen alone
Using an exercise pen instead of a dog crate for a new puppy is not recommended. The two products are intended for different uses. Many pet parents find that when their puppy is properly crate trained, they enjoy going into their dog crate for naps and downtime.
It is okay to leave your puppy in the playpen overnight only when you are in the same room with them and their pen is fitted out with a comfy dog bed. This will give you an easy time to monitor them and check if they have any issues or need to go out during the wee small hours.
Like humans, dogs need to be able to change position regularly to ensure their physical health and comfort. If you must confine your dog for more than a few hours, use a dog pen rather than a dog crate, so your pup can get up easily and move around.
During long periods or more than two hours, a playpen may be preferred for your young puppy. Potty accidents during longer periods will be less of an issue in a puppy pen compared to a dog crate. That said, older pups and adult dogs can typically manage up to four hours in a dog crate, assuming they're crate trained.
The rule of thumb for how many hours you can leave a puppy crated is calculated by taking their age in months and adding one (a 3-month-old puppy + 1 = 4 hours), but really, you should be paying close attention to how long your particular puppy can be comfortably left alone.
Despite the fact that your puppy's ability to control is increasing, it cannot hold for 4 hours (lunch-time break). Therefore, you will need to arrange someone to take care of his/her bathroom needs. According to an estimate, a puppy of that age cannot last longer than 2 hours.
A dog playpen is a great investment for pet owners who want to ensure their furry friend's safety, comfort, and happiness during playtime. Playpens provide a safe, comfortable, and stress-free space for dogs to play and explore. They are also great for training puppies and younger dogs and are easy to clean.
We recommend at least having them in your bedroom with you in the beginning in either a dog bed or crate. Having your puppy in your bedroom with you will make them feel more reassured. Then, you can gradually move them to where you would like them to sleep permanently.
However, playpens are not intended for extended periods of sleep or unsupervised play, and should not be used as a substitute for a crib or bassinet for overnight sleeping.
Your dog will associate the crate with where they eat and sleep and pups refuse to poop and pee where they snooze and dine. However, since playpens are so large, they poop, pee, eat and sleep in them.
Parents and caretakers use playpens today as places for infants and toddlers to both play and sleep. Playpens are often used by parents and caregivers as substitutes for full-sized cribs when babies nap. Over the years, playpens, portable cribs, and play yards have evolved into virtually identical products.
How Long Can Puppies Be Alone? Remember, dogs and especially puppies need to urinate often. As a guideline, new puppies up to 10 weeks old typically can't hold their bladder for more than an hour. Dogs between 10 to 12 weeks old can usually hold it for around two hours.
My goal was to protect the floor from the pen sliding on it, create a non-slip surface for Zu, and make cleaning up accidents easier. If you are willing to spend more, garage flooring like the G-Floor Cover is a great option. I used a cheap floor mat from Home Depot that we already had.
Important note: Although you can leave potty pads in your puppy's playpen to absorb any accidents they may have, this on its own won't potty train your puppy. This is why we recommend following a potty training schedule to teach them how to “hold it” and where to potty when it's time to!
Their Age Suggests It
Babies can begin using a playpen from four to six months, as long as they can sit on their own and have a caretaker to look after them. As they become more independent, they'll enjoy exploring the playpen while staying safe.
According to the American Kennel Club, puppies younger than 10 weeks cannot be left alone for more than an hour.
Many experts agree that a minimum of 2-3 hours of active interaction and engagement is appropriate for puppies. That may not really sound like a lot given it's only 8-12% of the total hours in a day. But keep a couple of things in mind: Puppies need between 18-20 hours of sleep which accounts for majority of the day.
Impawtant Note: While it's common for dogs to sleep in crates at night, we don't recommend that you keep your dog in a crate for more than a couple hours during the day. Before you go back to the office, make sure your dog is fully potty trained so they do not have to stay in a crate at all while you're gone.
Knowing what to put in a puppy crate at night will make your puppy as comfortable as possible. A soft crate bedding and some toys will be helpful. Also, ensure that the dog's crate itself is chew-proof so he's not escaping when you're asleep.
Bring your puppy to the potty pad whenever you suspect it's time. But if he doesn't go, don't let him run around and play. Instead, put him back in his crate for 10-15 minutes, then immediately try again. Repeat until he does his business.
Do Puppies Need Water in Their Crate? Your growing puppy needs access to plenty of fresh water, but keeping water in her crate is never recommended because it can undermine housetraining.
Allow your puppy to chase other dogs, cats, or other animals. Confine your puppy for long periods of time during the day. Allow your puppy to chew, nibble, or bite on people. Allow your puppy to play with or chew on toys that aren't on the approved toy list (listed in section 3-5).