Dog Crates
How to Select a Dog Crate
Introduction
There are different reasons for crating your beloved canine, with the bottom line being: to protect your dog from his surroundings and the surroundings from your dog. If you are having a hard time with the concept, consider that dogs have a den instinct and a crate is their own cozy, private place to feel safe and secure. Sort of like the human equivalent of: “I’ll be in my room.”
Sound better? If the answer is "yes" and you've come to terms with the idea, the next question is what kind of crate to get? A decision that will require some thought. The following are steps to choosing the right one.
Instructions
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Step One
Find a store or company that sells pet crates. Pet supply, hardware and department stores and wholesale pet supply companies all carry crates. Wholesale pet supply companies often have the largest selection and the best prices. You can find them by searching online.
Step Two
Figure out the type of crate you will need. If it's for home use and will be kept in the same place, choose a wire crate, because it will provide the best ventilation for your dog. If you will be storing or moving it often, a collapsible model with handles that can be easily folded down into a "suitcase-style" shape will work best.
Step Three
Look for sturdy crates with heavy gauge wire. For car travel choose a hard plastic pet carrier. These are normally two-piece units with ventilation areas along the sides and a steel wire door in front. You can buy one crate for both the house and car, or if you travel a lot, you might want to buy a separate crate for each. If you need a crate to take your dog hiking or camping, consider a collapsible soft crate or tent, which is portable, lightweight and easy to set up and break down. If the crate is for a puppy, there are some that come with a divider panel that can be adjusted to the different growth stages. If you prefer, you can choose one without dividers and make your own out of something indestructible such as plywood.
Step Four
Choose a crate that is 1 1/2 times the length of your dog when fully grown. Your dog should be able to stand up, turn around and lie down in the crate comfortably. If it's for a puppy, the partition should be placed so that she has 1 1/2 times her length to move around.
Step Five
Size the crate according to your dog's breed.
The following is a good guide:
Extra small: Chihuahua, Pomeranian, Shih Tzu
Small: Boston Terrier, Jack Russell, Yorkie, Maltese
Medium: Cairn Terrier, Cocker Spaniel, Llasa Apso, Dachshund
Large: Basset Hound, Bulldog, Welsh Corgi, Shar-Pei
XLarge: Chow, Collie, Dalmation, Golden/Labrador Retriever
XXLarge: German Shepherd, Great Dane, Greyhound, Saint Bernard
Tips & Warnings
* You are required to have a hard plastic airline-approved pet carrier if your dog will be flying in an airplane's cargo section. Wire dog crates are not approved for airline travel.
* Many hotels only allow dogs that are crated.
* The proper training could very likely eliminate the need for a crate at home.
* If your dog is aggressive, chews, digs or experiences anxiety when crated, soft crates and many pet carriers are not a good choice. If choosing a plastic crate, look for one that is sturdy enough to resist chewing.
* Never crate an adult dog for more than eight hours and make sure he gets adequate exercise beforehand. Never leave a puppy in a crate for more than two or three hours, unless it's at night.
* Certain dogs and breeds don’t take well to crates, therefore you may have to figure out an alternative that works for both you and your dog.
There are different reasons for crating your beloved canine, with the bottom line being: to protect your dog from his surroundings and the surroundings from your dog. If you are having a hard time with the concept, consider that dogs have a den instinct and a crate is their own cozy, private place to feel safe and secure. Sort of like the human equivalent of: “I’ll be in my room.”
Sound better? If the answer is "yes" and you've come to terms with the idea, the next question is what kind of crate to get? A decision that will require some thought. The following are steps to choosing the right one.
Instructions
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Step One
Find a store or company that sells pet crates. Pet supply, hardware and department stores and wholesale pet supply companies all carry crates. Wholesale pet supply companies often have the largest selection and the best prices. You can find them by searching online.
Step Two
Figure out the type of crate you will need. If it's for home use and will be kept in the same place, choose a wire crate, because it will provide the best ventilation for your dog. If you will be storing or moving it often, a collapsible model with handles that can be easily folded down into a "suitcase-style" shape will work best.
Step Three
Look for sturdy crates with heavy gauge wire. For car travel choose a hard plastic pet carrier. These are normally two-piece units with ventilation areas along the sides and a steel wire door in front. You can buy one crate for both the house and car, or if you travel a lot, you might want to buy a separate crate for each. If you need a crate to take your dog hiking or camping, consider a collapsible soft crate or tent, which is portable, lightweight and easy to set up and break down. If the crate is for a puppy, there are some that come with a divider panel that can be adjusted to the different growth stages. If you prefer, you can choose one without dividers and make your own out of something indestructible such as plywood.
Step Four
Choose a crate that is 1 1/2 times the length of your dog when fully grown. Your dog should be able to stand up, turn around and lie down in the crate comfortably. If it's for a puppy, the partition should be placed so that she has 1 1/2 times her length to move around.
Step Five
Size the crate according to your dog's breed.
The following is a good guide:
Extra small: Chihuahua, Pomeranian, Shih Tzu
Small: Boston Terrier, Jack Russell, Yorkie, Maltese
Medium: Cairn Terrier, Cocker Spaniel, Llasa Apso, Dachshund
Large: Basset Hound, Bulldog, Welsh Corgi, Shar-Pei
XLarge: Chow, Collie, Dalmation, Golden/Labrador Retriever
XXLarge: German Shepherd, Great Dane, Greyhound, Saint Bernard
Tips & Warnings
* You are required to have a hard plastic airline-approved pet carrier if your dog will be flying in an airplane's cargo section. Wire dog crates are not approved for airline travel.
* Many hotels only allow dogs that are crated.
* The proper training could very likely eliminate the need for a crate at home.
* If your dog is aggressive, chews, digs or experiences anxiety when crated, soft crates and many pet carriers are not a good choice. If choosing a plastic crate, look for one that is sturdy enough to resist chewing.
* Never crate an adult dog for more than eight hours and make sure he gets adequate exercise beforehand. Never leave a puppy in a crate for more than two or three hours, unless it's at night.
* Certain dogs and breeds don’t take well to crates, therefore you may have to figure out an alternative that works for both you and your dog.
Source: eHow