Three Basset Pups Think the Playpen Is a Little Too Small
Three lemon and white Basset Hound puppies stand on their back legs inside a mesh playpen, front paws hooked over the top rail as they stare out at the room beyond. The one on the left has an especially hopeful look, the middle pup is leaning in with ears dangling, and the third rests a chin on the rail. Behind them, a stuffed bunny, a ring toy, and a few colorful blocks lie in the corner, and sunlight pours in from a nearby window.
A playpen is a handy tool for keeping a litter safe while the grown-ups are busy. It gives puppies room to play, nap, and explore without getting into things they should not, such as electrical cords or shoes. Most trainers suggest putting in a bed, a water dish, and a few toys, and placing the pen where the family spends time, so the pups feel included and not left out.
Puppies tend to test the walls the moment they find out they can stand up, and this is normal. With Bassets, it is worth remembering that their long backs and short legs are not built for climbing or jumping, so a pen with high, sturdy sides is a better idea than one that invites a leap. Short sessions in the pen, followed by supervised time out, keep things positive.
These three have clearly noticed there is a world on the other side. They are polite about it, with no barking and no scrambling, just three round faces asking, in the quietest way possible, whether anyone is coming over.
