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An Overview of Puppy Crates
There are several types of puppy crates on the market. They come in many sizes and are made from various materials.
The type you choose can have a big impact on the amount of time it takes to housebreak your puppy.
But dog crates are not just for housetraining.
Airlines require all dogs too big to fit under the seat to travel in a crate made out of hard plastic.
Some crates are not designed for transporting or training dogs but they offer plenty of security for your pet. And because they are made from lightweight materials and can fold, you can easily pack them when traveling.
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The 2 most common types of dog crates are airline crates and wire mesh crates (or just wire crates). Each one has its own advantages and disadvantages.
A third type, known as a "tent" or "portable" crate, is also available but is not as popular as the other two.
Airline Puppy Crates
Airline crates are made out of hard plastic and have solid panels. They offer more sense of security for your puppy than wire crates. You can also use them to ship your puppy by airplane.
On the negative side, they are more difficult to clean and don't offer as much ventilation as wire crates.
Here is an example of an airline crate...
Portable Kennel from
Petmate comes in many sizes and colors. It's easy to assemble and, best of all, it meets airline regulations for domestic and international pet travel.
Here is a short video that explains how to choose a puppy crate. While I prefer wire mesh crates, this video presents couple of very good arguments why plastic dog crates make a better choice...
Learn more about How to Crate Train your Puppy
You'll find a chart to help you choose the right crate size lower on this page...
Wire Mesh Crates
Wire puppy crates are made out of metal wire.
They provide better ventilation and offer better visibility than airplane and portable crates. They are also easier to clean. Because wire crates are sturdier than airplane and portable crates, they will last much longer.
On the other hand, wire crates don't offer as much sense of security as airplane crates. When my dog was still a puppy, I used to cover the top and sides of his crate with a blanket.
If you have one of the larger breeds, I recommend a
Drop-Pin Giant Dog Breed Crate from Bargain Hound.
I like it because it comes with not one but six divider panels (I'll show why divider panels are important a little later).
And this crate is made in the U.S.A.
Here are some more examples of wire puppy crates...
For small to large (but not the largest) breeds, I prefer
Designer Color Wire Homes from
Kennel Aire.
This crate comes in several sizes and color.
You can assemble it in minutes, without any tools.
A variation of a plain wire crate is a
Mahogany Dog Crate.
It has an attractive mahogany wood frame and comes with lockable wheels, so moving it around is simple.
It has the rich look and if you have wood furniture, it will blend in nicely.
If you are planning to use a crate to housebreak your puppy, I feel a plain wire crate is your best choice.
Portable Tent Crates
These crates are made out of soft material. They are lightweight and easy to transport.
Tent puppy crates offer more sense of security than wire crates, but they are not as sturdy or durable as wire or plastic crates.
Here is an example of a
Portable Dog Home tent crate.
Does Size Matter?
Yes!
A crate has to provide enough room for your puppy to comfortably walk in, turn around and lay down without feeling cramped. At the same time, if a crate is too large, it will allow him to get away from his mess. That's not good when you are trying to housebreak your puppy.
If your primary goal is puppy potty training, the size of the crate has to be just right.
Use the following chart to help you choose the right dog crate for your puppy:
Adult Dog Weight |
Depth of Crate |
|
|---|---|---|
Up to 25 lbs |
24" |
|
Up to 40 lbs |
30" |
|
Up to 70 lbs |
36" |
|
Up to 90 lbs |
42" |
|
Up to 110 lbs |
48" |
|
Above 110 lbs |
54" |
For smaller breeds, it's easy to buy a crate. The same one you buy for a puppy will still be good when he matures into an adult dog.
When you have a larger breed, you will need to replace your puppy's crate as he begins to outgrow it. Or, if you initially buy the right type of crate, you will never need to replace it in the future.
Get an adult-sized crate that comes with divider panels.
At first, provide your puppy with the smallest area and remove panels as your puppy grows.
I already mentioned a Drop-Pin Giant Dog Breed Crate. It comes with six divider panels.
Here is one more crate that's perfect for larger breeds...
Life Stages Training and Travel Crates.
And when you buy your puppy crate, don't forget to get a crate cushion.
I used to line Bo's crate with Cratewear Pet Dreams 3-Piece Complete Crate Bed Set.
It's machine washable and includes…
- A mattress (for comfort)
- Padded bumper (to prevent an injury)
- Crate cover (for a sense of security)
Oh, it also includes a crate training brochure endorsed by top veterinarians and trainers!
After you buy a puppy crate, you are ready to begin crate training your puppy.
This Ultimate House Training Guide is one of the best sources of crate and house training information you will find. It's over 100 pages long, with 10 pages devoted to puppy crates training.
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