Another great piece of equipment for the new puppy is the exercise pen, also called an “ex-pen.” These pens, which have no top or bottom, are made of wire panels that range in height from twenty-four to forty-eight inches. (Buy one tall enough to keep your poodle in when he's grown.) They're adjustable in size, depending on how many panels you use. You can form them in a circle or use a wall for a fourth side. One of the panels can be a door, allowing easy access.

The great thing about ex-pens is that they're portable and spacious. You can put newspaper or other absorbent material on the floor of the pen, put in a crate and some toys, and you've created a safe napping, resting, or chewing place for your puppy, and he can see everything going on around him.

If you travel to dog activities, like agility matches, the ex-pen is a great place to put your poodle when you're waiting for the next activity (with a shade cloth over top on those sunny days). An ex-pen, which may not be secure enough to keep your poodle in when you're away from home, can save your sanity when you are home with your puppy.