Glossary

Exercise pen

A freestanding set of hinged panels that forms a portable fenced area for a dog, bigger than a crate and easy to fold away.

Also called: ex pen, exercise pen, puppy playpen, dog playpen, dog pen, x-pen, puppy pen

An exercise pen, or ex-pen, is a series of hinged panels that you set up as an enclosure, usually round or square, indoors or outdoors. It gives a puppy or small dog more room than a dog crate and is easy to fold and carry. A taller pen is needed for a dog that can jump or climb.

People use ex-pens to set a safe area in a living room, to block off part of a house, to keep a dog contained in a yard, at a campsite or at a show, and as a space where a puppy can play when you cannot watch. Lock the panels securely and check that the dog cannot push it over or squeeze through a gap.

It is not a substitute for a fence for a determined jumper.

Last reviewed November 8, 2026

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Related terms

Dog crate A box or cage that provides a dog with a safe, enclosed space at home or in a car; it should be large enough to stand, turn and lie down in. Travel crate A sturdy, ventilated crate used to carry or secure a dog in a vehicle or for transport, built to stay closed in a collision. Dog door A flap or panel set in a door or wall that lets a dog go in and out of the house on its own.