Puppy Play Pen

[sheepdog 10]

I would really love some input from everyone here to help me design the ultimate puppy playpen. My goals include not only socialization for the pups, but also physical and mental stimulation. I want to build a play or exercise area that will help develop young pups into becoming the very best companions they can be. When my pups go to their new homes I want them to be friendly, confident and less stressed by new situations. The more exposure to different sights and sounds they get when they live here the easier it will be for them to adapt to new surrounding when they go to their new homes.

What would you, as a pet owner, like to see a breeder do with their pups that would help develop their full potential? When you bought a new puppy, what kind of things did the pup have problems getting used to when you first got him or her?

 

I have some general ideas on what I want to accomplish. For starters, I want the pups to experience a variety of flooring surfaces. Separate areas for gravel, grass, sand, concrete, basically any outdoor surface they might in the future come in contact with. Since it will be an outdoor area, I’m not sure how I could include indoor type surfaces like carpeting or linoleum that would hold up, perhaps indoor/outdoor carpeting might work, but soggy shag carpet would never do. I plan to build a small, puppy size deck, with stairs to walk up to it, maybe a child’s slide to come down. Some small tunnels to crawl threw. Also want to include a water fountain for the running water sounds. Perhaps a bell with a rope chew toy attached that would ring when they played with it. What other ways could I make strange sounds part of the experience? Seems like I’ve seen some motion detector type ornaments that might be cool, like a frog that croaked when a pup went by it?

I have even had a few wild notions about using a section of Plexiglas as part of the exterior fence, and getting a decorative small chicken house with a pair of Banty chickens in it so they can become accustom to birds. Direct contact would be a no no of course, but at least they could see and smell them. I probably have a squirrel or 2 around here I could coax to come to a feeder. I feel a bird feeder would bring contaminants into the area, so that probably isn’t a great idea.

Any ideas or input would be appreciated. Any suggestions, for types of toys, or anything else will be appreciated.