Preparing for a new puppy to join your family involves thinking of a place where you can keep your puppy secure, whether you are gone or your puppy needs some quiet time away from the hustle and bustle of the household.
It is inevitable that at some point, you’ll need to be away from your puppy, whether that looks like leaving the house every day for a job or even just going upstairs to clean.
Learn about the benefits dog crates provide, what to look for in a dog crate, how to select a dog crate, and see some suggestions for different types of dog crates to buy your puppy.
Dog Crate Styles to Consider for Every Need
Whether you choose a permanent crate or a travel crate, your puppy will appreciate having a comfortable and secure space to call its own. Each type of crate has its own advantages and disadvantages, so it is important to choose the one that best suits your needs. Now that you’ve thought about your puppy’s needs, here are some suggestions you should consider when browsing dog crates for your puppy.
Metal crates
Made of metal wire, these crates are sturdy and durable. They are typically collapsible, making them easy to store when not in use.
Frisco Heavy Duty Enhanced Lock Double Door Fold & Carry Wire Dog Crate & Mat Kit
2-Door Large Wire Dog Crate w/Divider
Plastic crates
Made of heavy-duty plastic, these crates are lightweight and portable. They are great for travel and can also be used for at-home use. They may also have plastic on the bottom and wire on the top.
Aspen Pet Dog & Cat Kennel
Wooden & decorative crates
Made of wood (and sometimes a mix of materials), these stylish and functional dog crates can blend in with your home decor and bring a modern touch to your space. They are typically more expensive than other types of crates but can be a great option for dogs that are anxious in metal or plastic crates.
Torched Pine Farmhouse Style Wooden Kennel
Frisco "Venice" Dog Crate Credenza & Mat Kit
New Age Pet ecoFLEX Single Door Furniture Style Dog Crate & End Table
Travel crates for adventures with your puppy
How fun – you’re taking a trip with your puppy! Whether you’re planning a hotel visit with your puppy or exploring travel options for bringing home your puppy for the first time, the crate you choose should be portable, secure, easy to transport, and let in plenty of fresh air.
When you travel somewhere on an airplane, you’ll need to check airline specifications for pet carriers, as airlines have regulations for pets flying cargo and dogs flying carry-on in the cabin. For example, check out the carry-on and checked pets crate requirements for American Airlines to gain a better understanding of what you’ll need for air travel.
Collapsible, Airline Approved Soft-sided Pet Carrier for Dogs & Puppies up to 15 Lbs. by Henkelion
SportPet Designs Plastic Kennels Rolling Plastic Airline Approved Wire Door Travel Dog Crate
Ferplast Jet Value Cat & Dog Carrier
Amazon Basics Folding Portable Soft Pet Dog Crate Carrier Kennel
Benefits of Dog Crates For Puppies
As a responsible dog owner, choosing the right crate for your furbaby is crucial. Not only can it make crate training easier, but it can also provide your dog with a little den of comfort.
When puppies are separated from their loved ones, even for a small amount of time, they might show a different set of behaviors deviating from their normal personality. A comfortable crate can help reduce puppy separation anxiety by providing them a space where they can feel secure – and reduce the chances they will get into trouble and destroy something.
There are many benefits of using a dog crate for your puppy, including:
- Safety: A crate can keep your dog safe when you are not able to supervise them. For example, if you need to leave your dog alone in the house while you run errands, a crate can prevent them from getting into trouble.
- Training: A crate can be a valuable tool for training your dog. Dogs naturally avoid soiling their living areas, so a crate can help with house training by providing a designated space for your dog to eliminate.
- Travel: If you plan to travel with your dog, a crate can provide a safe and secure way to transport them.
What to Look For When Selecting a Dog Crate
Choosing a crate for your dog is an important decision that can have a significant impact on your dog's safety and well-being. Whether you are looking for a travel crate or a permanent crate for your home, there are several factors to consider when choosing the right dog crate for your puppy.
Easy to clean
When you have a puppy, you know they’re cute but super messy! You’ll be dealing with accidents when potty training your puppy. Likewise, puppies can also randomly throw up due to eating something they shouldn’t or when they have an upset tummy. They can shed hair all over the place and drool, too.
Regardless of the material used in the dog crate, it should be easy to clean with non-toxic, pet-safe products.
Sturdy and durable
Crates can be soft-shelled with mesh windows, metal wire, or wood – whatever the crate is made of, it needs to be sturdy enough to handle your puppy.
Some puppies would give Houdini a run for his money, so these crates will need to have a puppy-proof latch and have extra security regardless of material. Those puppies that like to chew may destroy a plastic or soft crate, so perhaps a metal wire crate would be the most durable. For little dogs, a soft-sided crate may be all they need, but if you travel with it, the dog crate will need to withstand wear and tear. If you choose an aesthetically pleasing crate to serve as an end table, it will need to look nice as a part of your home’s furniture.
Speaking of sturdy and durable, this includes any materials you place in the crate with your puppy. You can always try something cozy in the crate like a bed or a blanket with your scent on it, but be sure to supervise your puppy the first few times in case your dog destroys it. Some puppies just won’t do well with soft materials because they will rip it up. By monitoring the comforting item first, you can avoid a trip to the emergency vet for gastrointestinal blockage from strings or bed parts.
In your price range
Just because you want to give your puppy the best doesn’t mean you have to break the bank. When you’re considering how to prepare financially for a puppy, you’ll be taking a thorough look at your budget. Choose the dog crate that makes sense for your budgeting needs while also checking all the boxes for your criteria.
Plenty of fresh air
Puppies are living, breathing creatures and of course will need a steady supply of circulating fresh air. Metal wire crates provide lots of airflow. Travel crates can as well via vents and mesh windows, but be sure your puppy is comfortable and can breathe well when choosing the right puppy crate.
Get recommendations
What do the reviews say about the crate? Interview your puppy owner friends and read reviews – the good, bad, and ugly – to ask about features they liked and what to avoid.
What Size Dog Crate Should I Buy?
Before buying a crate, you’ll need to locate your tape measure because you’ll be crunching some numbers! Some crates have movable partitions that can be moved and eventually removed if your puppy grows rapidly and you want to buy just one crate for life. Other people will opt to buy crates during each growth phase. If you do this, you may want to consider buying used or borrowing one from another puppy owner to get more bang for your buck since you won’t be using it very long.
Measuring your puppy
Knowing a few pieces of information about your puppy’s size is the place to start when shopping for a dog crate. It's essential to measure your dog to ensure that you choose the correct size. Your dog should be able to lie down, stand up, and turn around comfortably.
If the crate is too small, it can be uncomfortable for your dog, and they may not want to spend time in it. If the crate is too big, your dog may feel insecure and may not want to use it. They may also have enough room to have an accident in the corner and move away from it.
When measuring your puppy, you’ll also need to know how big your puppy is expected to be as an adult as well as how quickly your puppy will grow. A cute 20-lb. Great Dane puppy for sale will rapidly morph into a gentle giant in a matter of months. In contrast, a 6-lb. Mini Dachshund puppy for sale will not grow up as much as they grow out!
To measure your dog, measure their height from the floor to the top of their head while they are standing up. Then, measure their length from the tip of their nose to the base of their tail. Add a few inches to each measurement to ensure that the crate is the correct size, especially if you plan on keeping a thick dog bed in the crate.
Measuring your space
If you find the perfect crate but it’s too giant for your space, then it’s not quite so perfect! In addition to measuring your dog, you’ll need to choose a place to keep your crate and measure the height, width, and length of the space where you plan on putting the crate. It would be frustrating if you forgot this one important step after thinking so carefully about which dog crate to select.
Choose a Dog Crate for a Pawrade Puppy
You can look all day for a dog crate, but if you don’t have a puppy yet to put in that dog crate, Pawrade would love to help! We offer a huge variety of puppies for sale, from sweet family dogs that are great with children to the best low-maintenance puppies for apartment living!
