Dog experts agree that a dog create is essential. Dogs are not made for the urban sprawl, long days, and living conditions established in the average family. A dog crate can lower the stress level of house training, being left alone, and traveling for your pet.
There are several styles of dog kennels on the market. Each has a individual purpose. The most common dog kennel is the wire metal kennel, with the MIDWEST offering supurb value. The next most popular style is the airline crate. Many owners feel that this style of crate mimics a wild dog’s den.
The Purpose of a Crate
A crate is not cruel or confining. In a wild pack, each dog has their place in the order of power. They have puppies in a den, but will normally find their own shelter in the open. This is their space. The dog has no place that is their own when living in your home. They will make attempts to curl beneath the table or on a chair. Sometimes this works, and the dog feels emotionally secure. Most of the time this doesn’t work because, sooner or later, you will reclaim this space and the dog is left feeling discarded.
How to Pick a Crate
Your dog will require 2 crates in their life, the puppy crate and their adult crate. They may also need an exercise pen. The crate should give the dog a sense that they are in a secure place. Nothing can attack them. No one will drive them out. The airline, plastic style crate is best for a puppy. It is durable, limits the puppy’s view, and limits stress.
There are several charts available that tell people to pick their puppy crate by weight. This is a good place to start.
24" up to 25lb adult weight
30" up to 40lb adult weight
36" up to 70lb adult weight
42" up to 90lbs adult weight
48" up to 110lb adult weight
54" above 110lb adult weight
This is a good, general, rule of thumb. However, it may not work in your situation.
What Type of Dog Is Your Dog
A Great Dane and a Giant Schnauzer are comparatively the same weight as adults. However, the Great Dane is very passive. It may be happy in a crate which allows him to stand up, turn around, and lay down for a nap. Unfortunately, the Giant Schnauzer is a bouncy dog. Every time you move in the room, a car drives up the driveway, someone knocks on the door, the dog will be slamming his head and hind end against the crate.
The same goes for little dogs. A Toy Poodle will be happy with a crate that only offer enough room for a comfortable nap. This same crate is woefully inadequate for the Jack Russell Terrier who will spend half of the day chewing on bones, and will want to scamper around in circles the moment you open the door, until you open the crate. The dog’s stress and activity level must be taken into account. Typically, your dog is active, or excitable, choose a crate that is one or two sizes larger.
Your Schedule
Another consideration is your day. A dog needs a crate that is large enough for a food bowl, bed, and room enough to move around if: no one is home through the day, you do not return home from work at the same time, the dog must remain confined when the family is home. In this case, chose a kennel that is 2 or 3 times larger than the suggested size.
Submitted By: Suzanne L. James
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