Choosing a Dog Crate
Historically, wild dogs slept in small dens - shallow holes they dug in the ground where they felt safe from predators. These were small, dark places, just big enough to turn around in and to lie down comfortably. A "dog crate" is just a modern version of the ages old den. It's simply a dog house within a people house. Just as you enjoy having your own room where you can go for peace and privacy, your dog will also start to seek out his “den”.
As well as giving him a safe, cozy place to retreat to, a dog crate can make training your dog a lot easier. Housebreaking goes much faster when you use a dog crate, and destructive chewing becomes easier to control. Furthermore, traveling is safer for both you and your dog when he's in a crate.
The most common place to buy a dog crate is at your local pet supply store. You can also find them at hardware and department stores. For the largest selection and the best value, a wholesale pet supply company will be your best bet. You can find these companies through ads in popular dog magazines or online. Do your research, as there are many types to choose from.
What type of dog crate should you buy?
One very popular choice of dog crates is the plastic model. Another popular version is made of heavy welded steel wire. Plastic crates are molded two-piece units with ventilation areas along the sides and a welded steel wire door in front. They're lightweight, portable and are easily taken apart for storage or travel. Most plastic crates meet federal regulations for airline travel. However, if air travel is important to you make sure you check the guidelines before purchasing a dog crate. The quality of plastic crates varies between manufacturers and you'll need to get one sturdy enough to resist scratching and chewing.
Wire dog crates are very popular and depending on your dog's needs, may be a better purchase than plastic. You'll need to shop more carefully for a wire crate because quality and style vary greatly. Some of them are poorly constructed and not meant to be collapsed for storage. Others, while advertised as "collapsible", do so only with great difficulty and don't fold down to a convenient size. Look for sturdy crates with heavy gauge wire that are easily folded down into a "suitcase-style" shape for transportation and storage. Make sure that you test the collapsibility before you buy the dog crate.
What size dog crate do you need? A dog crate need only be big enough for the dog to stand up, turn around and lie down comfortably. It’s likely best to allow a little extra leg room for the dog to stretch out. Growing puppies can be a problem when buying a dog crate. A dog crate that is too large can make a puppy slightly harder to housebreak. Fortunately, dividers are available for some brands so you can shrink and expand the puppy's space as needed. Look here for more information on the proper use of dog crates for puppies and training.
How much does a dog crate cost?
You can expect to pay between $50 - $125 for a good quality dog crate for a medium sized dog. A quality crate will outlive several dogs and quickly pays for itself in peace of mind and undamaged carpets, furniture and belongings. It is also possible to get a used dog crate but make sure you give it a good scrub before introducing your dog to it.
It is stated to have a small crate when training them for potty training or when they are left alone. When you are gone for 6 hours for work, isn't a larger crate better to have for and 8 week or older puppy to be in? It seems they would need more room because of the time in it. Used more for a pen on a daily basis. We have used blocking puppy in the kitchen and have it all papered up. This was very hard to have the room always blocked off. So my idea was to have a crate 48 in long and 30 inches wide to keep puppy in as a pen with newspaper at one end for potty times. We are getting a small breed dog, (adult size 10 pounds). i plan to keep this dog in pen/crate at all alone times and including going to work. Can you tell me the downfall of this plan? At night, I plan to keep it in a much smaller crate beside bed and take it out every 2-4 hrs, to potty outside. Thank your for your info and input. Judy
Ahh, the joy of puppies! When we got our tiny shitzu and lhasa pups, we didn't know what to do with them while we weren't home...they were so tiny, and there were so many placed for them to get into trouble! Although this post seems to late for Judy, maybe I can help others with the same problem....
Okay, crate training is hard! Especially with a new tiny cute pup that cries all night! You just have to stick it out for a few nights till he gets used to it. Theres a product you can buy online (try amazon.com) they are called snuggle puppies...they have a "heart beat" and you can put warmers in it. Puppies love this! It reminds them of their littermates, and putting it in the crate at night works wonders.
Okay on to day time use...
A pup shoulden't be in a crate for 8 hours!! Getting an extra large crate is bulky...and annoying! Also, it defeats the purpose of crate training. If your going to be away all day I suggest getting a pen! try petsmart or drfostersandsmith.com to get a nice sturdy collapsible one. Have an old playpen from when your kids were little? Use that! Now, you have to expect that your pup is going to go potty in the pen, as they go every 3-4 hours. I suggest putting a puppy wee wee pad in the pen...dogs don't like to pee/poo where they sleep, so put it in the corner or edge. This will at least provide some help with training. Hope this helps!! -Steph