Tips to choose your dog’s crate

A girl taking a puppy out from a crate

Dogs are den dwellers and love to have a confined space to retreat to towards the end of the day. Dogs crates can be the ideal sweet spot for any dogs, provided, you choose the right one for your furry friend.

 As a dog owner, you shouldn’t be discouraged about the idea of buying a crate. Even though crate can resemble cages, you can play a big role in making sure that crate for your dog is the spot he loves and provides the protection he needs.

Choosing a crate for your pooch might not be easy as it sounds. You need to consider different factors from the size of your dog to the types of crates out there.

This post is tailored to guide you on the right path when it comes to choosing the right crate for your dog.

Crate types

One of the first decisions that you need to make when you are out there to purchase a dog crate is to decide on the crate type.

With respect to the materials, dog crates are categorized into the following:

Plastic dog crates: plastic dog crates usually come as portable ones. These are ideal for small and medium-sized pooches.

The crates are designed with enough ventilation and a front facing door apart from a small handle on the top to carry them around.

If you are an individual who loves to travel with your dog, these are the ideal crates to invest.

Wired dog crates: The wire crates are gaining popularity with time. These are another variant of portable dog crates which are foldable and easily movable. These crates come in different sizes and are easy to use and maintain.  

Metal dog crates: Metal dog crates are usually heavy duty dog crates which suit big and strong dogs like rottweilers. Even though these crates can be a godsend when your dog is an escape artist, we hardly recommend using these for longer durations. 

Wooden crates: Wooden crates can be the new trend. We also have wooden furniture crates that can be a space saver. These crates can be expensive, hard to maintain and are not portable.

Best practices for choosing crates for small and tall dogs

It is important that your pooch has enough space within the crate to stand and move around. Choosing a crate for dogs of different sizes can be a challenge.

Small and medium sized dogs: Choose a small crate for small and medium sized dogs. If you choose a big crate for these dogs, you might find it too hard to do the house training.

Additionally, the tiny jaw can easily bite through the small gaps and hinges of the crate. This can be a concern, especially with wired crates.

Tall dogs: A big crate for a tall dog is inevitable. Make sure that your pooch can lie down and stand straight without having to curl or crouch respectively.

Crate training

Once you have brought an ideal crate for your dog, the next step is to get him accustomed to it. This can be a challenge which would require you to consider some proven crate training tips.