It is wise to crate train your beloved doggy, but figuring out what type and size of crate to buy can be rather challenging. If you pick the wrong crate, the whole training program might be messed up. For that reason, here are some guidelines you should keep in mind when buying a crate for your dog.
First of all, don’t make the most common mistake dog owners make – don’t pick a crate that is too big. Your dog should be able to turn around, stand up and lie down in a crate – and that’s big enough for housebreaking purposes. In case you purchase too big crate, your dog might use part of it as a bathroom, which is not really something you want to happen.
In general, there are five basic crate types: heavy-duty, soft-sided, plastic, wire and cute crates. Knowing pros and cons of each will help you decide what’s best for your dog and you.
Wire crates are ideal for dogs that live in a hot climate or have a heavy coat and get hot easily. Many models fold flat for storage or carrying and their removable floor tray is very easy to clean. With some wire crates, there’s a possibility to purchase a divider to section off the crate (MidWest Dog Crates already have the divider). This way, the area is small in the beginning and gets bigger as your dog grows. Nevertheless, a wire crate tends to be noisier compared to the plastic ones when a pet is moving around. Also, some dogs find their way to break out of wire crates. Larger wire crates are usually too heavy and rather difficult to move. Finally, a wire crate is not very attractive to have around.
A plastic crate is great for a dog who likes cozy spaces and prefers sleeping in corners or under the table. This crate type can be used for airline travels, plus it’s quite difficult to get out of it – if you’re dog is an escape artist. A plastic crate comes in many colors and is very convenient for storage. On the downside, there’s not much air circulation in plastic crates, so your dog might get hot in it. Also, for a dog who likes to know what is going on around them, being in a plastic crate may be quite frustrating. Similar to a wire crate, a plastic crate doesn’t look very attractive.
A soft-sided crate is portable and lightweight, perfect for picnics, camping and road trips. When folded, soft-sided crates are easy to store. In general, these crates are ideal for non-destructive, small dogs, while destructive dogs can easily eat their way out. Also, smart dogs might be able to figure out how to open or unzip the door panel. Another disadvantage of soft-sided crates is the difficulty to clean them after a major potty accident.
A heavy-duty crate is great for airline travel if your doggy is acclimated to it. Also, for an escape-artist dog, this crate type is highly recommended. Nevertheless, compared to other crates, a heavy-duty crate is more expensive. And, it’s not very attractive.
Cute crates, by all means, look beautiful around the house with their finished rattan or wood wires. You can use one as furniture to replace a side or end table, which is great if you need some extra space in your house. On the other hand, if your puppy has an accident in this crate, it can easily be ruined. Also, it’s completely useless for destructive dogs as they like to chew rattan or wood.