In this post, we are going to explore the types of dog crates available, why your canine companion may benefit from one and tips on how to crate your pet properly. Plus, we'll also take a look at our top five picks for the best dog crates.
Types of Dog Crates
There are five basic dog crates to choose from, so you should be able to find one that suits you and your pet's needs. These include:
1. Plastic
These crates are great for those pooches that want more privacy or for pet parents that travel by vehicle or airline. The crate itself is made from heavy-duty plastic, with either a stainless steel door or a thick plastic door. It provides adequate ventilation for your dog and is easy to wipe clean.
2. Wire
This type of crate provides more ventilation and are made from durable stainless steel. Some offer an adjustable panel that will allow the crate to be enlarged as your puppy grows. The wire crate is also easy-to-clean; however, they can be heavy and an eye sore for some pet parents.
3. Soft-sided
Although this type of crate can be stylish, it can be easily chewed through or escaped from, which is why they are recommended more for smaller dogs. In addition, this type of crate is not airline approved and can be more difficult to keep clean.
4. Heavy-Duty Crate
As the name implies, this crate is built to last. It will be a cinch to clean and some even come equipped with wheels for easy moving.
5. Fashion Crate
For the pet parent with a dog that is not destructible, the Fashion Crate provides both style and functionality in one. These can be made in both wood or rattan so it will fit nicely into any decor and some can even double as a side table. However, they may not be the best option if you are trying to housetrain a puppy as it won't be easy to clean.
Why Does My Dog Need a Dog Crate?
There are a few reasons why pet parents decide to use a crate for their puppy or adult dogs.
Tips For Crating a Dog
There are some general tips to follow when you decide to crate a puppy or dog.
Tip #1 - Time Limits According to Petfinder, a good rule-of-paw for crating a puppy or dog is no longer than one hour per each month of age, and no longer than nine to ten hours (a work day) for adult canines.
Tip #2 - Safety First It's not a good idea to leave your dog in a crate when wearing a "correction" collar. These could become caught posing a risk to your dog's health and well-being.
Tip #3 - Practice Makes a Perfect Pup Just putting a dog or puppy into a crate and shutting the door is a recipe for an anxious and stressed out canine. A dog that panics inside the crate can do harm to himself. Plus, this reaction will then make it even harder to crate train the dog down the road.
Tip #4 - A Crate Should Not Be Used as Punishment Ultimately, you will want your dog to use the crate as his own little "room." For this reason, never use it as a punishment as this will only create fear and a refusal to willingly enter it.
Conclusion to the Best Dog Crates
Now that we've explored the world of crates and some helpful tips to help you with this training method, you can make an educated decision. Choose the crate that works best for you and your pet, then make your dog's new "den" as cozy and friendly as possible.
References:
http://thehousebreakingbible.com/wp/training-crate-choices/
https://www.caninejournal.com/best-dog-crate/
https://www.petfinder.com/dogs/dog-training/benefits-dog-crate-training/
