The 8 Best Indoor Dog Pens for All Kinds of Pups, From Jumpers to Chewers

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• Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.

Indoor dog playpens are useful for corralling dogs for a short period of time when pet parents want more space than a crate can offer. But choosing the right dog pen can be surprisingly challenging. There are a lot of options out there—and some models work better for particular objectives than others.

The best indoor pen is the one that helps you solve your specific issue, whether that’s confining a dog to a safe space, working on a behavioral problem (jumping, counter-surfing, trash exploring), or using it as a training tool. Priorities might include sturdiness, chew-resistance, size, storage, and locking features.

We’ve asked the experts about the best indoor dog pens for each situation and rounded up our favorites.

Best All-Purpose Indoor Dog Pen: IRIS Eight-Panel Plastic Exercise Dog Playpen

These pet playpens are bestsellers, and it’s not hard to see why. Constructed of durable, heavy-duty molded plastic, the IRIS Exercise Panel Playpen can be used both indoors or outdoors. It’s weather-resistant for use in the yard but has rubber feet to protect floors in your home.

According to experienced dog trainer Andrew Garf of Train Your German Shepherd Dog, pet parents should look for pens with heavy-duty panels and small spacing to prevent escapes. The base model pen comes with eight sturdy interlocking panels with heavy-duty wire spacers that you can position in different shapes to suit your pet’s needs.

You can remove a panel or two for smaller space, or if you have a larger pup, you can increase the size of the pen with add-on panels (available for separate purchase). And at 34 inches high, this pen can help to contain small- and medium-sized breeds, and larger dogs who aren’t jumpers.

Key Features:

• Eight interlocking pieces allow different set-ups
• Uses durable, heavy-duty molded plastic
• Contains small- and medium-sized dogs
• Indoor and outdoor use

To Consider:

• May not work for larger dogs who want to escape

Best for Large Dogs: FXW Home Plus Indoor Dog Playpen

Dr. Cherri Honnas, DVM and veterinary advisor to Bone Voyage Dog Rescue, has some specific recommendations for large dog pens, including pens that use materials such as reinforced plastic or metal, and heights that discourage jumpers. This pen checks those boxes.

This indoor playpen comes in multiple sizes, including an option up to 40″ high to help contain larger dogs. Made from sturdy fencing materials that also stand up to outdoor use, this pen can be assembled into a six-sided pen or can be assembled to create a larger space up against a wall. It features silicon feet to protect floors, muffler tubing for a quiet experience, and a gravity-lock closing system to contain any escape artists.

If you need a larger version, FXW offers additional panels for purchase. And, if you love this pen, FXW also makes an outdoor version with supports designed to stake into the ground.

Key Features:

• Features sturdy fencing materials with silicon feet
• Can be arranged in multiple shapes
• Additional panels available for purchase
• Available in sizes up to 40″ high

Best for Jumpers: PGYuCien Foldable Dog PlayPen

This indoor dog playpen is available in two different heights, 24″ and 30″, to accommodate different sized pups. This pen is unique because it includes a covering made from mesh and Oxford fabric that discourages your dog from jumping—while also creating a comfortable kennel-like atmosphere. (And, if you wanted to bring the pen outside, the cover provides UV protection.)

This pen is easy to set up and folds flat for storage. The metal wire panels are sturdy and double-coated to prevent wear.

Key Features:

• Includes a nylon and Oxford cover to deter jumpers
• Available in 24″ and 30″ heights
• Easy setup, and folds flat for storage

Best Portable Indoor Dog Pen: Esk Collection Small Dog and Puppy Playpen

If you need a lightweight, roomy, and portable playpen for a puppy, look no further. This soft-sided dog playpen is perfect for creating a safe play space on the go. It sets up in seconds and packs into an included travel tote to move from space to space. This portable dog exercise pen is best for small dogs and puppies. It measures 48″ in diameter and 25″ in height.

The fabric is waterproof and durable, but too lightweight for heavy-duty chompers and runners. Reviewers love the zip-off top and bottom panels: zip off the bottom so your puppy can play in the grass, and zip on the top to keep them from jumping out.

Key Features:

• Lightweight and portable
• Includes travel tote
• Measures 48″ in diameter and 25″ in height

To Consider:

• Not suitable for chewers or large-breed dogs

Best for Small Dogs: IRIS USA 24″ Indoor Playpen

This indoor playpen features four plastic panels that can be used to create an enclosure or a fenced-off area for your small dog to relax and play. The plastic panels are easy to clean and assemble, and IRIS offers additional panels for purchase if you would like to build a larger play area. Each panel has rubber feet to protect flooring. This playpen also features a small door for your dog so owners do not need to lift pups in and out.

Key Features:

• Uses easy-to-clean plastic panels
• Features a small door for dogs
• Each panel features rubber feet
• Additional panels available for purchase

To Consider:

• Best for smaller dogs

Best for Escape Artists and Chewers: PawHut Heavy Duty Pet Playpen

Dr. Sabrina Kong, DVM and veterinary contributor at We Love Doodles, recommends a few features for dogs who are prone to escapes and chewing, including metal materials that are more resistant to chewing and taller heights. The PawHut heavy duty indoor dog playpen has these features and more to help keep escape artists safely inside. This playpen features wood-plastic composite and metal wire materials and can be configured in multiple shapes.

This is a large-capacity play pen, with a full length of 13.75 feet and a heigh of 24″. While large, it can collapse for easy storage. This pen includes a locking door system that can be unlocked from the exterior only to help keep even crafty dogs inside.

Key Features:

• Double door locks on the outside
• Configures into multiple shapes
• Extra large interior
• 24″ in height

To Consider:

• May not work for jumpers

Best Convertible Indoor Dog Pen: Richell 3-in-1 Convertible Pet Pen

This all-in-one pet playpen is made up of four or six panels that click together. Use it as an exercise pen, or convert it to a freestanding pet gate and room divider. It’s made from water-resistant materials, so it transitions from indoors to outdoors in a snap.

When using this convertible playpen as a crate, you can use a floor mat or tray (sold separately) for padding and protection. Or, set it up as a gate to keep your dog out of off-limits spaces. The panels are 31.5″ high and the playpen can be configured in an enclosure for a maximum length of 68.9″.

Key Features:

• Multiple configuration options, including gate, pen and room divider (135″ total length)
• Can be used indoors and outdoors
• Features 31.5″-high panels
• Uses wood and metal wire

To Consider:

• Optimal for small and medium-sized dogs when used as a pen

Best Budget Pen: Frisco Indoor Dog Pet with Step-Through Door

Available in five different sizes, this indoor dog pen is a great choice for puppies and adult dogs alike. The smallest size stands just 24 inches tall, a perfect choice for puppies and small breeds, while the largest is a full 48 inches. The pens all feature sturdy metal wire construction—recommended by all the experts we interviewed for escape-prone dogs—finished with a thick black electro-coat for long-lasting durability.

This indoor dog pen features an easy-access doorway that securely latches closed with double locks. This means that you can easily enter and exit the pen yourself without having to worry about your dog finding their way out. The pen can be assembled in a variety of configurations and comes with metal anchors if you choose to use it outdoors. Plus, it conveniently folds flat for storage and transport.

Key Features:

• Available in 5 sizes
• Uses sturdy metal wire construction
• Easy assembly and break-down
• Affordable price point
• Features step-through door and exterior double-lock

How To Make a DIY Dog Pen

New pups have a way of stretching the budget. If you feel like you’ve already spent a fortune and would rather make an indoor dog pen yourself, consider using scrap wood with wire fencing, PVC, or budget garden trellises attached with hinges.

Scrap wood and wire fencing. If you have cheap scrap wood available, you can nail together thin strips of wood to create a set of hollow rectangles, then fill each one with wire fencing. Add two hinges for support on each side to build a large portable indoor dog pen.

PVC. If you’d rather not break out the hammer, consider using PVC pipes and elbows to create a series of rectangles that you can either fill with more PVC or cover with wire or lattice fencing. To hold things together, resist the urge to use zip ties, which an enterprising puppy can nibble on, and instead opt for hose clamps.

Garden fencing. A cheap lattice-style wooden trellis can make great filling for your DIY dog pen’s panels. Just keep an eye on your pup to make sure they’re not inclined to chew on it.

How We Chose

We selected the products featured here based on a combination of our own hands-on testing and a comprehensive look at customer reviews across a wide variety of retail platforms. We prioritized durability and flexibility in our choices. We’re also guided by the experience of living and playing alongside our own much-loved and strongly opinionated pets, who are never stingy with their feedback.

Pet Parent Resources

Consider Rover for a helping hand (or sturdy leash arm) when it comes to caring for your pet while you’re away. Looking for a sitter in your neighborhood? Explore Rover’s pet care services, ranging from dog walkers to boarding facilities.

Further Reading

• The Best Gates for Dogs (Even Escape Artists)
• How Long Can You Leave a Dog Alone?
• The 10 Best Puppy Playpens for Your Playful Pup
• The Best Crates for Training Your Growing Dog