There is no doubt that you are reading this because you want to build a relationship with your dog that is built on mutual trust and respect. Dog crates allow you to create a safe and comfortable environment for your new puppy or long time family friend that is conducive to building obedience and laying the foundation for long term home training for your pet.

Choose a topic that you would like to read more information about or simply dive right in from the start and find out how a dog crate will benefit you and mans best friend.

1. What is a dog crate?
2. Why do I need a crate for my dog?
3. Will a dog crate make house training my dog any easier?
4. But isnt using a dog crate like punishing my dog?
5. What dog behavior problems can a dog crate help fix?
6. Where can I get a dog crate?
7. What type of dog crates are available?
8. What size of dog crate will I need for my dog?
9. How much do do crates generally cost?
10. Crating do’s and do not’s.

What is a dog crate?

Dog crates come in a variety of styles and sizes ranging from metal to wicker to plastic to wooden to collapsible and even specific travel based crates. Basically a dog crate is a portable dog den that is specifically designed to be a little bit bigger than your dog which allows your pet to have some space of its own.

Think about this…every member of your family has their own room they can retreat to for some peace and quiet. Consider a crate as your dogs own personal room, an area where they can retreat to feel safe and get some peace and quiet. Having a dog crate allows you greater flexibility over the security, safety, protection and house training of your dog.

Many people argue that ‘crating’ your dog is inhumane or cruel and will result in your dog acting out against you or your family friends. However if not abused and used appropriately your dog will thankyou for providing it with a haven in which it can feel safe, comfortable and secure.

Why do I need a crate for my dog?

To understand the answer to this question you must first see what a dog crate represents to your own dog. Dogs are very primitive creatures and in times gone by they used to sleep with their packs (families) in small cozy dens. These dens gave the families warmth, protection from the elements and protection from predators. These dens were only just big enough for the pack to fit and turn around in.

Dogs today still have ties to these ancestral living conditions and quite often feel most comfortable when they are in a small, dark and cozy place. Have you ever seen a dog in a thunderstorm hide under your bed? It’s because this is a dark, cozy area they feel the most comfortable and secure within.

There are three main benefits and countless advantages to training your dog to use a dog crate:

1. Firstly its an extremely effective way of house training your dog. Dog crates satisfy your dog’s natural instinct to den and as such they are a great housebreaking tool. Dog’s will try to avoid making a mess of their resting area if given sufficient opportunity to do so elsewhere.

2. Dog crates can be a great way to eliminate separation anxiety. The crate allows your dog to become accustomed to separation from you, as such your dog will be more comfortable when you leave the house and not so worried about whether you’re coming home or not. This can avoid coming home to a chewed up sofa and the rest of your house in a mess.

3. They are a great travel aid, once your dog is accustomed to it’s enclosure you can bring your beloved friend along on those family holidays. Whether your traveling by air, rail or road you can rest assured that your dog will be comfortable and more importantly safe on those long trips.

Will a dog crate make house training my dog any easier?

An amazing thing about dogs is that intuitively they do not like to make a mess in their ‘den’ or area where they sleep. If you provide your dog with ample opportunity to go to the toilet away from their crate then they will do so with aplomb! By using a crate you can harness your dogs natural tendencies to keep their den as clean as possible thus speeding up the house training process.

When dogs are puppies they need constant supervision so as not to accidentally put themselves in harms way or to destroy any of your hard earned home furnishings. However sometimes it is hard to put our lives on hold to provide constant supervision to our adventurous little puppies. In these situations a dog crate comes in very handy in helping to prevent any unnecessary accidents your new puppy may create.

Using a crate and combining it with adequate supervision, an exercise regime and regular feeding patterns will help have your pet house trained in no time.

For more comprehensive information regarding how to crate train your dog take a look at our dog crate training article.

But isn’t using a dog crate like punishing my dog?

One of the most common misconceptions regarding dog crate training is that it is cruel, inhumane and punishing to you dog. Many people argue that subjecting your dog to crate training will psychologically damage your dog increasing the likelihood that they will act out against you and your friends.

Realistically a dog crate can be one of the most beneficial house training tools that you can use to help train your dog. However it is incredibly important that you do not overuse or abuse the dog crate or it will appear to your dog as an instrument of terror and torture. By using a crate appropriately in your own home domesticated dogs will appreciate a safe-haven that will soon become the dogs own private area…a refuge where the dog can feel safe secure and comfortable.

But just what is the difference between punishing your dog with a crate and using a crate to provide a safe and secure have for your pet?

Crate punishment occurs when a crate is inappropriately overused or misused in such a way to cause fear or terror within your dog. For some people using a crate is a way for them to get their dog out of the way for a long period of time. This is cruel and punishment for your dog. Dogs are social animals and it is unjust to keep them locked away in a crate for long periods of time, especially when you are home and can give them adequate supervision.

Another common example of crate punishment is using the crate for wrong discipline reasons. For example if you come home to find that your puppy has chewed on your favorite piece of wooden furniture, and you subsequently lock him away in a crate to ‘teach him a lesson’. This is poor use of a crate and considered unjust punishment. Your puppy has a different memory to that of a human and as such will not associate being locked away with chewing on the furniture. This will only exacerbate the problem in the long run.

Good crate discipline on the otherhand stems from an appropriate use of dog crate and is effective in administering a passive form of discipline on your dog. For example crating your dog for 8 hours while you sleep, or while you are at work can prevent an overly energetic and curios dog from destroying your furniture or other posessions. This form of crating is effective especially if your dog has been taken for an energetic walk prior to being crated.

What dog behaviour problems can a dog crate help fix?

Remembering that a dog crate needs to be used appropriately to be effective, there are a wide number of dog behaviors that a dog crate can help passively discipline within your dog. These behaviors include but are by no means limited to the following:

• All aspects of house training
• Toilet training
• Teaching your dog not to chew on inappropriate objects (e.g. furniture, shoes, remote controls etc.)
• Behavior around house guests (e.g. family friends, repairmen, other visitors etc.)
• Increasing dog independence – reduces separation anxiety when you are not in the house allowing your dog to remain calm and collected whilst you are away
• Decrease destructive behavior
• Decrease fear and anxiety during times of panic (e.g. thunderstorms, howling winds, lightning etc.)

Where can I get  dog crate?

There are so many different places that you can find a good reliable pet crate that you can use in crating your dog. All major pet supply stores should carry a wide range of different types of crates whether you are looking for a wire crate, a wooden crate that can be used as a side table, soft padded crates, to collapsible crates that are stored easily. Most good pet stockists will be able to order you in exactly what you are looking for. The problem with most pet retail stores however is that they will charge through the roof for these relatively basic dog crates.

If you like to be able to see and feel the dog crate before you actually purchase then a retail store will be ideal for you. However if you would like to save some dollars then their are alternative outlets to purchase a dog crate from. Many hardware stores and wholesalers may sell dog crates. These stores may be cheaper but the number of types of dog crates they supply will be limited, so you may not get exactly what you are looking for.

Another avenue for you to purchase a dog crate is online. If you shop around on the internet you are bound to find some fantastic dog crates that will meet all your needs and at a fraction of the cost of retail. We have taken the liberty to scour the web and find what we believe are some of the best deals on a huge range of different types of dog cages. Take a look at our dog crate products to see if we have covered something that will suit your needs!

What type of dog crates are available?

Just like dogs come in all shapes and sizes so too do dog crates come in all shapes and sizes. No matter what type of dog you have big or small, round or fluffy there will be a dog crate out there that will suit your puppy.

Some of the most common types of dog crates include:

• collapsible dog crates
• folding dog crates
• wooden dog crates
• metal dog crates
• wicker dog crates
• plastic dog crates
• wire dog crates
• double door dog crates
• soft sided dog crates
• portable dog crates
• airline dog crates

What size of dog crate will I need for my dog?

If you remember, a dog crate actually represents a den for you dog and historically these dens were only big enough for the pack (family) of dogs living within that den. As such your dog crate only needs to be dig enough for your dog to lay in, stretch out and turn around. As a rule of thumb I would recommend buying a crate that is only large enough for your dog to stretch out and lay on its side while it is sleeping. Any bigger and house training will take a much longer period of time.

One particular problem arises when you look to buy a crate for your new puppy. Because your puppy is going to grow it is ridiculous to have to spent excessive amounts of money upgrading your dog crate as your puppy grows up. One way around this is to purchase a full size dog crate and purchase some handy dividers that can be used to block of areas of the crate until your puppy grows into a full size dog.

How much do dog crates generally cost?

The cost of a dog crate can vary greatly. More specifically you can expect to pay anywhere between $25 – 140 dollars for a quality crate for a small to large dog. While yes it may sound like a lot of money, however a good crate will last you for more than one loyal companion and it will quickly pay itself off in peace of mind and undamaged furniture, carpet and belongings.

There are some crates out there that are much more expensive and can be used to furnish your house. These crates can be a fantastic way to kill two birds with one stone by providing you with furniture for your house and a fantastic den for your dog. Take a look at our exclusive dog crate furniture for more examples of how these dog crates work.

Crating Do’s and Dont’s

When crating your dog take heed the following advice in the form of a list of do’s and dont’s

DO:

• think of your crate as a positive for your dog. In time your dog will come to love it too
• allow your dog out of the crate if it needs to use the bathroom. However if you know it doesn’t have to go, correct it’s behavior for whining or barking
• let your dog out often enough so that it never has to soil it’s crate
• clean the crate out on a regular basis, this can help prevent fleas and illness
• teach your children that the crate is a special room fr you dog and that they should not bother your dog whilst it is in the crate
• ensure your dog has access to plenty of fresh water and dry biscuits whilst in the crate

DONT:

• use a crate if you leave your dog home regularly all day, some dogs may be able to tolerate it however most will not like the confinement for this period of time
• punish the dog if it soils it’s crate. Remember that the last things dogs want to do is soil their main place of rest, it will be miserable enough that it has soiled its home and probably had no other choice
• ever use the crate as punishment of your dog
• leave your dog in the crate for excessive periods of time. Dogs need exercise and love to play, if you are home they should not be in the crate
• put your dog in the crate just after it has eaten or drank a lot. It may feel uncomfortable as it will need to use the bathroom quickly after such events
• put pillows, blankets or other such bedding items in the crate with the dog. Dogs unlike humans like a cooler environment, they would much rather stretch out on a cold hard surface. If your dog does seem uncomfortable you can buy tailor made dog crate mats made to fit your specific dog crate

What Next?

Hopefully now you are well informed about the benefits that a dog crate will offer you and your dog. If you have just purchased a crate or are purchasing a crate in the near future take a look at our article about crate training your dog.

If you are in the market for a new dog crate be sure to take a look at all of our different dog crate reviews. Or if you are wanting to deck your dog crate out with some cool new accessories, check out our dog crate accessories page.

If you want more information about any thing dog crate related don’t hesitate to contact us! We wish you and your family (including fido) all the best with your new dog crate!

By the time you’ve completed the steps contained in this article from preparation all the way through to the final stages of completing the training your pet will have a haven where both you and your puppy can rest assured of it’s comfort and safety.

Preparing your Dog Crate

Preparation for training your dog to use his or her new dog crate can be crucial in the acceptance of the crate as a safe haven and part-time home. There are just a few easy steps in the preparation stage to ensure that your pet has a better experience and sees the crate as a positive place.

1. Location
Dog’s by nature are pack animals and enjoy the company of their pack members, in your dogs case this is you and your family. Take this into consideration when placing your dogs enclosure – find a suitable place where they can see or hear you and is away from any drafts or hot places that may be in direct sunlight.

You should always try and make your dog as comfortable as possible when they are spending time inside the crate to reinforce the crate as being a positive place. The location and furnishing being the most important.

2. Furnishing
Just like you, your dog likes to be comfortable and have his favorite things around. Try and accommodate your dog or puppy by putting their favorite toy and a comfortable dog crate mat inside their crate. Water bowls that attach securely to the side or front of the dog crate are available.

Ensure there is nothing inside the crate that your puppy or dog could swallow or choke on.

Dog Crate Training

The time it takes to train your dog can differ depending on it’s age, temperament and previous experiences. It can take just days or weeks to get your dog entirely comfortable with the crate. Just remember to remain patient and no matter how long training takes you should never get outwardly frustrated or aggressive towards your pet, as this may further slow the training process.

Two important things to remember are a) not to try and speed the training process, small steps are best and b) the crate should always be associated with something pleasant.

1. Introducing your dog to the crate

Bring your dog to the front of the enclosure and maintain a positive tone of voice.  Try to encourage your dog to enter the crate by dropping some food or treats near the front of the crate and then inside. If your dog refuses to enter the crate at first that’s fine, continue to throw treats inside the enclosure until your dog will enter and retrieve the treat.

If your dog is still uncomfortable with the entering the crate we suggest removing the top cover or roof from the enclosure (if your crate allows this) and spend some time training without the top on. This strategy is generally used for dogs over 6 months old that are having difficulty with getting used to entering the crate, but can be used on younger puppies if needed. Just remember to try and keep your dog comfortable throughout the process and always make the crate a positive experience if you can.

Never push your dog, or force them to enter the crate. This will enforce negative associations that your dog may have with the crate and slow the time it takes to train your puppy.

2. Feeding your dog in the crate

After your dog becomes accustomed to entering the crate and is feeling somewhat comfortable while inside you should start feeding him his regular meals inside the crate. If he’s entirely comfortable inside the crate you can and should put the bowl right at the back of the crate.

Alternatively if he is still somewhat reluctant about entering the crate put his food bowl near the entrance or the crate, or just inside the door and over the proceeding days move the bowl closer and closer toward the back of the enclosure until he is standing entirely inside the crate to eat his meals. It is important to only ever put the bowl in as far as your dog feels comfortable with, if he’s fearful or anxious about going in to eat you might be moving a little too quickly.

Once your dog is comfortably eating while completely inside the cage you can start closing the door of the crate to get him accustomed. To start with only ever leave the door of the crate closed for as long as it takes your dog to eat his dinner. During the following days slowly increase the amount of time that you leave the door closed by 1 or 2 minutes at a time. Remember take this step slow!

You do not want to let your puppy out if he starts to whinge or whine, this only enforces that whinging will get you to come let him out. If this does happen, you may be moving along a little to quick, wait until the whining subsides to let him out and remember to reduce the time you leave the door closed next time you feed him

3. Training your dog to stay in the crate for extended periods of time

Now that your dog is calmly entering the dog crate and eating his meals without any signs of anxiety you can start to train him to enter the crate and remain in it at times other than feeding.

Start off by encouraging your dog to come over to the crate and give him a command to enter the crate. You may encourage him to enter by placing food or a treat inside the crate or by pointing at the crate with a treat in your hand. After he enters the crate praise him and feed him the treat and close the door.

The first few times you go through this procedure you should sit by the crate quietly for 5 or 10 minutes before building up to leave the room for short periods of time.  Return and wait with your dog for a short period of time and then let him out.

This process should be repeated a few times a day, prolonging the amount of time you leave your dog alone in the crate each time. Once you feel that you can comfortably leave your dog alone for half an hour or longer you can start leaving him in there for short periods of time and even get your companion to sleep in his dog crate at night.

4. House breaking (or Potty Training) your dog

Crate training at night needs to be coupled with positive reinforcement for when your dog is taken outside and goes to the bathroom in the designated area.

When taking your dog outside to this designated area its very important that you follow a few simple steps to make sure everything goes smoothly:

• Always put your dog on a leash when taking them out of the crate to the designated bathroom area.
• If your dog or puppy is small enough it can be a good idea to carry them out to make sure there are no accidents along the way. Either inside or at the front door.
• Repeatedly give your dog a command while waiting for them to go outside, make sure that everyone who takes your puppy out to the bathroom uses the same command.
• When your dog succesfully goes to the toilet immediately follow this up with praise. Treats or food are a great idea and don’t forget to tell them what a good boy or girl they are.

Dog crate training doesn’t have to be a laborous trying procedure, in fact it’s encourageable to make training your puppy a fun experience as long as you set clear boundaries. After all you want your brand new puppy or dog to have happy and good associations with their dog crate.

If you are in the market for a new dog crate be sure to take a look at all of our different dog crate reviews. Or if you are wanting to deck your dog crate out with some cool new accessories, check out our dog crate accessories page.

I wish you and your family (including fido) all the best…if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact us, we love to hear from you!