As a dog owner, a dog crate will be one of the first things you purchase before taking over a dog’s responsibility.
Owners need not be discouraged from purchasing a dog crate because it reflects a cage; it is like a natural environment that imitates a den’s look.
Why your dog needs a crate
Not only does a crate keep your furniture safe from a suspicious or aggressive dog when you’re gone, but it also keeps your pet protected from potentially dangerous circumstances when it’s not possible to be there to monitor.
Just like a car seat for a baby, the dog’s crate must be adequately secured before you go out.
Measure your dog to get the correct size
Crate height
Measure from the floor to the top of their head while the dog is in a Sitting position. For the minimum height required for your dog’s crate, add 2 to 4 inches to this measurement.
Dog Crate length
If the dog is up on all four legs, measure your dog from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail (don’t use the entire length of the tail in this calculation; you will get a crate too big).
The best length of the crate for your dog is to add 2 to 4 inches to this measurement.
Crate width
You don’t have to measure the width of the dog crate, as this is based on the dog crate’s length and height measurements.
Go up a size in kennels for puppies or smaller dogs
The smallest dog kennels are about 24 inches long, with slightly bigger kennels up to 30 inches long.
Bear in mind that each producer is a little different as far as kennel lengths and type ranges go, and you can calculate the length of each model by giving or taking a couple of inches.
Such kennels fit smaller dog breeds weighing less than 35 to 40 pounds, including the Maltese, miniature poodle, Jack Russell terrier, French bulldog breeds.
If you only plan to use the crate while your dog is a puppy, these little kennels also work well for puppies.
If you’re not sure what size to acquire, moving up a size is better. You can also bring in a kennel mat or other small dog furnishings to take up any space.
The type of crate’s materials
Plastic
In general, plastic dog crates are sturdy poly, mixed with a chrome-plated steel bar door. Cons include side panels with airflow and a leak-proof bottom.
They provide privacy and are authorized to travel by airline.
Pro
These crates are portable, lightweight, hard to escape, this creates low ventilation can help insulate from cold air, the top can be discarded to turn to the dog bed, convenient to clean, a dog with poor visibility (brilliant for nervous or sensitive dogs),
Cons
Some of these crates are not so appealing, the plastic retains odor over time, low visibility for the dog (most dogs feel more stressed if they cannot see their surroundings), do not fold flat for storage, low ventilation can cause the dog to overheat in hot weather
Travel dog crates
Have superior durability and strength. They sport a heavy-duty design, proper ventilation, and high visibility.
Travel crates are great for driving with your dog or flying, and they are often widely used for training.
Wire or mental
These dog crates have the best airflow, protection, and portability. For easy storage, some fold down to a compact scale. Since it has a maximized open room, these crates are also easy to clean.
Pros
Proper ventilation, unobstructed exposure for your dog. This makes them more relaxed seeing the surroundings; there are optional crate covers if you want your dog to have more privacy to rest, divider panels available to fit growing puppies, flat folds for quick storage.
Cons
Heavy metal will rust with time, can damage your dog’s teeth when they chew on the crate, can be possible for dogs to escape (dogs can reach the top, door, or side of the crate to pop the panel).
Using an Open Kennel play area
If you want a kennel to give your dog an enclosed area to play, you can choose any size you want to match in with your space.
When you have a yard but don’t want them to take off, outdoor kennels are a good option for dogs, whereas indoor kennels are ideal for keeping dogs to a limited section of the house.
How to care for your dog’ crate
Dogs are naturally clean; they clean up after themselves as much as possible, but it doesn’t mean we should not help them maintain their space.
It prevents ticks, fleas, and other household pests that can pose a threat to your four-legged friend.
Besides, it begins to stink after a while, and accidents can happen, so regular cleaning will make your dog happy and healthy. Also, it makes the crate last longer.
Remove your dog’s blankets, bed, toys, and other objects from the crate. Clean the toys if they have urine or feces on them, especially if you are learning how to train your puppy, otherwise wiping them is unnecessary; set them aside where they will not be in the way.
Secondly, wash the dog’s beddings; you can use cold water, but warm water with a mild detergent is preferable except the material stated otherwise. Also, you can add baking soda to the water to remove odors.
Once you are done, take the crate outside or a closed, ventilated room if you do not have space outside to do it.
Please note that crate washing can be messy, especially when you are dealing with a pup.
Keep the dog or pup away from the crate when washing or drying to avoid ingesting washing agents. Ensure the crate is properly dried before you place the beddings and toys back.
