How To Choose A Dog Crate: Tips On Selecting The Right Crate Or Carrier For Your Dog Or Puppy

dog cages

There are many benefits to buying a dog crate for your puppy or dog, and very few arguments against using it. When used correctly, the crate (sometimes called a dog crate) can

• Great help in house training your dog or puppy.
• Prevent and correct problems related to destructive behavior.
• Help your dog or puppy fear strangers.
• Be used to transport your four-legged friend safely in a car.
• Be a safe place to rest or sleep for your puppy or dog.
• Get in the habit of locking your dog up for a short time when you can’t supervise him.

The box should, and I must emphasize this, never be used as punishment or lock your puppy or dog in one for long periods of time.

Having come to the decision that you would like to purchase a box, there are several factors that need to be considered. This article will give you the information you need to make a successful choice.

Selection of a suitable box

There are several types of dog cages available these days to choose from. There are wire cages, plastic (often referred to as flight decks), and soft-sided or nylon pet carriers.

• The wire crate is probably the most common and has the advantage of being strong and allowing your dog to look around while inside. They often have the facility to allow you to adjust the internal size of the box by installing an additional panel. This has the benefit of allowing you to adjust the size as your pup grows; so buy a crate big enough to accommodate your dog when fully grown and then downsize with the divider panel for your pup and then upsize as your pup grows. The wire box is usually collapsible and usually has a sliding tray on the floor that helps a lot with cleaning.
• The plastic crate pet carrier is an alternative to the wire pet carrier. It is light and therefore easier to transport, but its main drawback is that it is usually closed on three sides and therefore does not let in much light. In general, they are more difficult to clean.
• Soft-sided crates are best suited for those dogs that are not known for being big chewers. They are lightweight and the easiest to transport, making them suitable if you intend to travel a lot. The main problem is that if your dog likes to chew or scratch a lot, he will eventually “get out” of the crate. Therefore, it is not really the best option for a puppy.

box size

Whichever type of dog crate you choose, it is very important that you get the crate size that is large enough to allow your dog to stretch sideways and turn without being cramped and should be tall enough to allow him to sit. up without hitting your head on the top. That said, don’t buy one that’s too big, as it will defeat the purpose of providing security, and one end will possibly be used as your own personal bathroom.

So what size dog crate do you need? One way to calculate the ideal crate size is to measure the length of the dog from the tip of the nose to the end of the tail and the height from the top of the head to the ground. To these figures add 12 inches (add more for giant breeds and less for toy breeds). The ideal box depth is then the measurement from head to tail plus twelve inches, the ideal height is the measurement of the height plus twelve inches, and the ideal width is three-fourths of the ideal depth.

cover

It is always helpful to have a cover that you can put over the box to darken the interior. It can be used to calm and reassure your dog as once covered it will prevent him from being distracted by anything going on around him. A blanket can be used, but a better option is a specially designed vinyl cover, which will be much easier to clean and will not harbor fleas. If you decide to cover the cage, make sure there is adequate ventilation and the cage is not exposed to direct sunlight.

Litter

Choose to cover the entire floor of the cage and avoid leaving an area uncovered as this could encourage soiling. Puppies don’t want to dirty their beds by choice, so it will help encourage bowl control. However, there are bound to be some accidents, so keep some machine-washable bedding on hand as a replacement.

Water

It is very important that water is always available and therefore it is a very good idea to invest in a quality clip on spill proof container or dispenser.

Security Council

• Never put your dog in a crate that is too small for him.
• Remove your dog’s collar. You run the risk of your dog being strangled if the disc or buckle of the collar gets caught in the bars (metal boxes).
• Don’t put the crate near anything your dog could get into his crate and chew on; appliance cords, clothing, etc.
• Make sure your dog has plenty of water while in the crate.
• If you leave something in the crate, a toy for example, make sure it won’t cause problems if it’s chewed on and can’t be swallowed and get caught in your dog’s throat.
• Place the box away from drafts.

If you use a metal crate, make sure the bars are spaced so your dog can’t get his legs caught between the bars.