Dog Crates - How To Pick The Right One

We probably don't need to tell you about the importance of owning a crate. Dog crates are great for a number of purposes including potty training, reducing seperation anxiety, and even warding off a young puppy that is still in destructive behavior mode. The nice thing about crates is that dogs generally love them. They are den animals and a crate will quickly become your pet's "own space." It will be the place he wants to go to get away from it all, take a nap, or just hang out. With his own comfortable and familiar smells, he will soon love it.

But choosing dog crates is not always easy. Obviously the first thing you need to do is carefully consider the size of your pet. You want your dog to be able to stand up and circle around, but you don't want the crate so big that he can hide out in one end after making a mess in the other. We'll talk more about this in the training section, but dogs do not want to make a mess of their space.

If your pet is a growing puppy, consider an adjustable crate. These crates can actually grow with your dog. This eliminates the need to purchase a new crate at every stage of the his growth process. Plus he doesn't have to become familiar with a personal space each time you bring a new crate home.

Now you need to look at what type of crate you want. Do you want wire, plastic, or perhaps one with soft sides. Soft sided dog crates are usually warmer, while wire crates allow more air to flow through, although they are probably not as cozy. If you go with wire, your pet will probably like it if you throw a blanket or sheet over the top and sides, giving him a more enclosed feeling.

Portability is also an important factor to consider. Soft sided and plastic crates are normally perfect for this, especially if you have a small dog. If you need a larger crate that you can fit into your car, many wire crates can easily be folded up into something easy to carry.

Another factor to consider is how easy it will be to clean. Some have removable pans underneath making your job a little easier.

What do you want your crate to look like? Did you know you can now get dog crates that look like a piece of furniture? Your friends will think you have a gorgeous new end table, but that table is actually your dog's crate.

Whatever crate you get, make sure it's comfortable for your pet. Get a pad that fits inside, and give him a few toys to play with in there as well. Rotate them in and out, but always leave his favorites. Avoid using squeeky toys if your dog has a tendency to chew things up quickly. You wouldn't want him swallowing the squeeker, especially if you're not around to take it away once you notice the toy is getting a little bit too damaged.

If you plan on leaving food and water in the crate for him, consider getting one where the bowls attach up higher to prevent him from stepping in it or knocking it over. This can be especially messy if he knocks over a water bowl.

Dog crates are an important part, perhaps the most important part of any dog owners supply list. Get the right one and your pet will love it, and so will you. Consider the size of your pet, the material it is made from, whether or not you need portability, and what you will put in it for your dog. It's easy to find the perfect solution when you know what you are looking for.

Recommended Merchants

Dog.com - Discount Pet Supplies - We love to shop at Dog.com. And here you will find a huge selection of crates so picking the perfect on is absolutely a breeze.

Petco.com - Petco is a huge national chain that has just about everything your dog could want, including a big selection of dog crates to choose from.

Pet Street Mall - If you want it or your dog needs it, you'll be able to find it at Pet Street Mall. And that means a huge array of crates for you to choose from.