A dog crate may remind you of a miniature jail at first, but as any crate owner will tell you—it’s a lifesaver. This crucial piece of equipment actually serves as a safe haven for your puppy or dog, creating a den-like space that increases confidence, security, and makes housebreaking and traveling with your dog much easier. Every dog needs one, and nowadays there are so many new designs and constructions that a crate can be an attractive addition. Consider the crate or kennel one of the first items on your shopping list when you bring home a new puppy or dog.
When choosing a crate, you’ll find many choices: plastic, wire, soft crate and rattan. Each has its pros and cons:
Enclosed Plastic Crates
Pros:
• Usually the least expensive type of enclosure
• Most ideal for travel, and mandatory for air travel
• Easy to open and close
• Easy to transport—lightweight
• Many are airline-approved for travel (but check with your airline just to be sure)
• Some buckle easily into the backseat, for safe car travel
• The solid top, sides, and back make dogs feel safe
• They can be hosed out after accidents
Cons:
• They won’t be the most attractive piece of furniture in your home
• Some truly vigorous chewers can chew through the plastic
• Some dogs can open the latch
• Plastic parts can wear out
Pros:
• Most dogs can’t chew through them
• They blend into a room better because you can see through them
• They are more escape-proof
• They can be sturdier
• Some designs fold down flat and are easy to take with you anywhere
Cons:
• They can be expensive
• They can be difficult to transport unless they have a handle
• They can make dogs nervous because the dog feels exposed on all sides (many pet owners cover the top, sides, and back with a crate cover to make the wire kennel more den-like, and stylish)
Pros:
• Lightweight, sporty, and easy to transport
• Less expensive
• Comes in a variety of sizes and colors
• Quick set-up and breakdown make them ideal for temporary containment (at work, at a friend’s house for the weekend)
Can be washed easily
Cons:
• Many dogs can chew or tear through them
• Best suited for smaller breeds
• Not as secure
• Can get hot if set in the sun (think of sitting inside a tent on a hot day)
Wood and Rattan
Pros:
• Aesthetically pleasing
• Nice permanent feel that underscores den-like setting
• Can be painted to match décor
• Solid, durable construction that lasts
Cons:
• Dogs love to chew wood—the only thing they like to chew more is rattan
• More expensive
• Heavier construction makes larger crates hard to move
Size Matters
Once you’ve chosen the type of crate you prefer, you will need to select the appropriate size, especially if you want to use the crate or kennel for housetraining. (Most breeders recommend this housetraining method as the fastest and most effective). Instinctually, dogs won’t soil the place where they sleep, so the crate or kennel should be just big enough for your dog to walk in, stand up, turn around, sit down, lie down, and stretch out. It shouldn’t be so big that your dog could use one corner as a bathroom and another corner as a bedroom. Some crates come with breed guides, to help you choose the appropriate size. If you only want to buy one crate, some come with dividers that help you portion the crate to fit your puppy as he grows to full-size.
Please see our sizing chart for help in choosing a crate size.
Crates with Flair
Heeding the call of those who don’t like the look of plastic or wire crates and kennels, crates are available now in many non-conventional options. Modern, retro, vintage…you’re sure to find a style here that matches your home decor, although some of these enclosures don’t actually close or don’t close securely. If your dog isn’t the chew-through-it-and-run type and is more likely to stay where you put him, you may be able to sacrifice a certain degree of security in favor of style.
Things to Remember
Some other crate considerations:
• Check for quality. Is the door easy to open and close, or will it become frustrating? Does the crate look well put-together, or flimsy? Remember that a crate is first and foremost a tool to enhance your dog’s security and your piece of mind when you’re away. That’s its job—if you don’t think it will do it, don’t buy it, even if you think it’s cute.
• Don’t forget to buy soft bedding for the crate to make your dog’s den comfortable and inviting. Consider a fleece mat, cushion, or folded blanket.
• If you plan to travel by car, look for a crate that will fasten securely into the car with a seatbelt (or invest in a dog seatbelt or carseat instead).
• If you plan to travel by air with your dog, make sure the crate is airline-approved. If you have a small dog and want to bring him in the cabin with you, the crate will need to fit under the seat. There are many soft-sided travel carriers that are airline approved and very comfortable. Call the airline to get the exact size and specifications for crates, and other rules for travelling with pets before you decide.
