Play Pen - alternative for crating.
Well, I went ahead and copied Brad's idea on the Pen. I thought it was a really great idea and even better, it is quite inexpensive and is very easy! So I thought I would put together a little DIY so if any of you are interested in getting pens for your pups, you can see how easy it really is.
THINGS YOU NEED:
1. Pen
2. At least 1/2" board/wood
3. Vinyl Sticky Tile
4. Screws or Nails (optional)
5. Zip Ties
6. 30 minutes time (if you have all the parts)
Step 1: Measurements
Set up the pen in whatever shape you like, measure the pen length x width and that will give you the dimensions you will need to get the correct amount of flooring.
(Romi's = 4 x 4 = 16 sq ft., I went ahead and went a little bigger just in case and went 5 x 5 = 25 sq ft.)
Step 2: Making the flooring
I used 1/2" Hardi Backer Board in 5 x 5 size. And I got 25 pieces of Vinyl Sticky Tile (each 1 foot in size). The tile is VERY sticky, so you won't need to use any additional glue or adhesive. Just start sticking the tile down on the board any way you please.
Step 3: Putting it all together
Once you have the flooring done, place it in your home where you want to keep the dogs. Put the Pen on top of the flooring and rearrange the design whichever way you please. To keep the pen in place, you can either drill a hole through the board and put a zip tie through and tighten it to keep it in place. Or you can use screws or nails and stick those in the board and zip tie the nail/screw to the pen.
(this is how brad did it, using screws and zip ties)
Step 4: Add accessories
Add a bed, blankets, toys, chews, whatever you want to dress it up and make it comfy for your pup.
AND YOU'RE DONE!
PROJECT COST:
Gold Zinc Exersize Pen 24W x 42H 8 Panel - $85.99 (petsmart)
Hardi Backer Board Flooring 5 x 5 - $20.00 (home depot)
Vinyl Sticky Tile - $0.39/Each = $9.75 (home depot)
White Zip Ties - $2.48/case (home depot
Total project cost: $118.22 (no tax)
the final result...
PEN
Flooring
Ninja checking out the new pen
Portia checking out the new pen
THINGS YOU NEED:
1. Pen
2. At least 1/2" board/wood
3. Vinyl Sticky Tile
4. Screws or Nails (optional)
5. Zip Ties
6. 30 minutes time (if you have all the parts)
Step 1: Measurements
Set up the pen in whatever shape you like, measure the pen length x width and that will give you the dimensions you will need to get the correct amount of flooring.
(Romi's = 4 x 4 = 16 sq ft., I went ahead and went a little bigger just in case and went 5 x 5 = 25 sq ft.)
Step 2: Making the flooring
I used 1/2" Hardi Backer Board in 5 x 5 size. And I got 25 pieces of Vinyl Sticky Tile (each 1 foot in size). The tile is VERY sticky, so you won't need to use any additional glue or adhesive. Just start sticking the tile down on the board any way you please.
Step 3: Putting it all together
Once you have the flooring done, place it in your home where you want to keep the dogs. Put the Pen on top of the flooring and rearrange the design whichever way you please. To keep the pen in place, you can either drill a hole through the board and put a zip tie through and tighten it to keep it in place. Or you can use screws or nails and stick those in the board and zip tie the nail/screw to the pen.
(this is how brad did it, using screws and zip ties)
Step 4: Add accessories
Add a bed, blankets, toys, chews, whatever you want to dress it up and make it comfy for your pup.
AND YOU'RE DONE!
PROJECT COST:
Gold Zinc Exersize Pen 24W x 42H 8 Panel - $85.99 (petsmart)
Hardi Backer Board Flooring 5 x 5 - $20.00 (home depot)
Vinyl Sticky Tile - $0.39/Each = $9.75 (home depot)
White Zip Ties - $2.48/case (home depot
Total project cost: $118.22 (no tax)
the final result...
PEN
Flooring
Ninja checking out the new pen
Portia checking out the new pen
Comments
That looks great Romi! Ninja's got a nice pad now, with a window and everything.
The only issue we have had with our pens (we have used them for 3 years or so), is that Ahi likes to pull the tile up. It takes her a lot of time to get it going but she can do it. She has only done this a few times tho, times when we had to leave her in there all day because we had an event to be at or something.
They work really well tho, and are very mobile since it all folds up... and if they have an accident while they are in there it doesn't get all over your home.
Hilo loves his pen, he will just go right in and sleep - doesn't bother him at all.
Lol Ninja and Portia are in the same position when checking out the pen.
You guys have a great idea. I'm gonna steal it when my shiba comes home. though it'll be another year
Yeah, I tried to make it like a hotel suite, you know with a view and all...and so he can sunbathe if he wants lol. I don't think he is tall enough to see the view though. Portia seems to like it better than Ninja. It might be because we're using her bed in there and she likes to sleep on it. Wow, Ahi is a smarty pants! I dont' think that Ninja or Portia would be smart enough to figure out that you would be able to pull the tiles off.
http://s1260.photobucket.com/albums/ii570/rdgim/
My costs were a bit more compared to OP due to a larger footprint but here is how much it cost for the whole project (incl. tax):
1.5"x4'x8' Hardie Backer board (Home Depot) - $20.58
Box of 30 Vinyl Adhesive Flooring (Home Depot) - $29.70
2 Extra Vinyl Adhesive Flooring (Home Depot) - $1.76
Box of 1" screws (Home Depot) - $6.97
Bag of 100 zip ties (Home Depot) - $5.99
2 Precision Exercise Pens 30" (Petco) - $159.98 ($79.99 each)
Total - $236.23
My next pup I'd love to do that so she/he has more room during it coarse I'll work on crating so he/she will be used to it for times we stay at hotel or traveling.
This is a good bump for all the Spring pups going to their new homes.
I used two expens for Koda with linoleum underneath. He was such a cute puppy. I can't believe he will be three in 18 days.
Thanks, Rob
Jess, I always like the decor in your house.
Heidi, thanks! I just put up a new light fixture in the room too that I am SUPER excited about.