Top of the list for the new puppy owner are crates, carriers, playpens, exercise pen, and puppy gates. Your new best friend needs a safe confined area where he can be monitored and house trained. You will need to have a safe place for him to sleep ready before you bring him home and a safe place for him to play while you are training him. Dog crates or carriers, and an exercise pen, playpen, or gate waiting for him. The pens and gates are also a good way to keep your puppy in the area you want, particularly if you can not watch him every second. He will be happy in his designated space and you will know he is safe.
I recommend the soft-sided travel carriers that are airline approved. They have fold down sides that open up a mess window for socialization and ventilation. My own carrier for my dogs also has wheels for ease in walking and eae on the puppy mommy’s back.
Hard-sided crates and travel carriers are made from stainless steel frames, plastic, fiberglass also with soft mess ventilation windows. Lightweight plastic and fiberglass varieties provide a measure of safety and security for your puppy while driving or flying. There are also the stainless steel crates, which will last a lifetime. The choice is yours. Carriers and crates also simulate a warm den, when you make it up with a soft bed or blanket. What puppy can resist such a comfortable safe sleeping spot.
Choose a crate or carrier, where you make sure that your pup can stand up, lie down, turn around, and stretch inside. Although dogs do prefer to have a close den-like space, they also need just enough room to feel comfortable.