Buying the Right Dog Crate for Your New Puppy

There are so many different accessories and items you can get for a dog nowadays and if you are a first time dog owner it is all likely to be a bit overwhelming. Of course you want what is best for your puppy but when faced with all the options, how do you know what is best?

One thing to keep in mind, especially when it comes to dog crates, is that it really is ‘different strokes for different folks’ as the old saying goes. What is good for one puppy in one situation will not be good for another. It actually really depends on your lifestyle, what type of dog it is and whether it will be an indoor dog or an outdoor dog that just uses the dog crate when you travel or in bad weather.

It is a great idea to do lots of research on different dog cages available before you buy your pup so that you will have all the information you need to make an informed choice. You will also probably want to buy the dog cage, and any other needed accessories before you bring your pup home. Many people will go to pick up their new puppy and then randomly buy whatever they need while at the pet shop or on the way home from the breeders. However that can lead to some hasty and poorly researched choices, and may well have you heading back out the door again in a couple of days in search of something more suitable.

A folding wire crate, as the name implies, is just a crate with wire on the sides to keep your dog in. It folds when needed which makes it pretty handy. When you need to use it for your dog, you just unfold it and stick a plastic tray (that comes with the wire crate) underneath to catch any messes your pup may make. It is the cheapest and simplest out of all the dog crate options.

It is not covered, thus it can make it a bit difficult at night time or in the very early morning as your new puppy will most likely wake with the morning sun, which could be pretty early during summer! It does not give the dog that much privacy either which is something a new puppy likes from time to time.

Having said that, I have used one successfully to train many dogs. I just cover it over, leaving one side uncovered for air, with a blanket at night and that seems to work well and keep puppy quiet. You can also buy crate covers from most dog supply stores, made to fit specific sized wire crates.

Soft Dog Cages
Soft dog crates are quite popular nowadays.  They last for a long time and are actually quite nice to look at.  You can get soft dog cages in pretty much any color you want.  Soft dog crates are generally semi-closed with plastic windows and they have a door in the front. One advantage soft dog cages have over wire cages is that they are warmer for your pup. 
They are also extremely easy for a playful pup to grab hold of and drag around the room by the corner. If you have a particularly playful pup you may want to wait on getting a soft dog cage until he matures and is no longer interested in such play.

Wicker cages
Wicker cages are quite aesthetic.  They are made to blend in well with your living room furniture and be nice to look at for you.  They are a little heavier than the folding wire cage or soft dog cage.  They do not stand up that well to moisture so any accidents or spilled water can tend to spoil the wicker fairly quickly.

Also, be careful that there are no tiny pieces sticking out anywhere. I actually had a dog unravel the leg of my wicker chair quite nicely by consistently tugging at a strand that stuck out a little when I was not looking! 

Wooden designer cages
You may or may not have seen these, but they are quite artistic and beautiful to look at.  They are made from different varieties of hard wood and it goes without saying that they are more expensive to get than most other options of dog crate.  Many people buy a combination dog cage end table. The top functions as a table, while the bottom section is perfect for puppy to crawl into and take a snooze.

There are many variations of this type of cage and if you want to keep your pup inside most of the time this can be a very aesthetic option.

These are different kinds of dog crates that you can put your pup in if you are taking him or her on a plane trip.  They are sturdy, made from plastic and they let in ample air with their ample air holes and they have a door at the front for the pet to get in or out.  While they are more expensive than other dog crate options, however if you are going to be doing a lot of traveling with your dog, either by air or even by car, then I would recommend this kind of crate.

Their main function is to protect your pup while traveling, and as such they do an excellent job.  They are also very easy to clean, just hose them down if needed. This is helpful if your dog is car sick, which happens often enough with certain dogs. 

They also provide a young pup with a wonderfully secluded sanctuary for those times when he is not interested in the hubbub going on around him. Most are fairly indestructible too; an important feature when you have young pups!

So now that you know what is available, how do you determine what is the right kind of dog crate for your dog?

First of all, see whether your dog will be an indoor or outdoor dog. If it is an outdoor dog, then it will only use the crate when it is sick, when it is bad weather, or if you are taking the dog on a trip. An airline dog crate may be just what you need if you are going to travel a lot with your dog, if not, perhaps a soft pet cage or folding wire crate will suit your needs

If your dog is the type that likes to chew things, and a lot of dogs are, then you will most likely not want to get one of the more expensive wooden or wicker crates as your dog will make short work of it and it will not look nice for very long. For this type of dog you will need a sturdier plastic cage or a wire cage – something your pup cannot destroy.

Other Points To Keep In Mind Regarding Dog Crates:
If your dog is sleeping in its crate at night, which it should if it is an indoor dog, you will likely want to cover the crate with some sort of material that is not so thick that it blocks out air, but that will effectively block out the rising sun in the morning. Many puppies like to get up with the sunrise, which is most likely earlier than when you would like to get up.

While it is good to put your puppy in the dog crate when you go out, or when you are not able to pay attention to it (especially if you are still in the process of training your puppy), you will also need to keep in mind that puppies need exercise, as do grown dogs. You will need to take your dog on a walk, or get a dog walker to do it for you. Another option is to get a dog treadmill. Whatever you do, make sure your dog gets the exercise it needs or you will find that you have a bored and oftentimes overly playful or downright destructive young dog on your hands.