If you’re a pet owner, you know how important it is to provide your furry friend with the best of everything. This includes a safe and comfortable home.
A dog cage can be a great option for pets who need to be crated for safety, training or health reasons. A crate provides security and protection for your pup, as well as an appropriate place to relieve themselves.
What are Dog Cages?
The dog cage, also known as a dog crate or an interior kennel, is made to provide a dog with a safe, secure space where they can spend brief amounts of time.
You may buy dog cage in a variety of sizes, shapes, and materials, but they typically consist of a wire frame with a removable tray at the base where the dog’s bedding can be placed.
Use of Dog Cages
- Certain dogs may benefit from having an open-air “den” they can utilise as a safe heaven or place to feel protected.
- Training tools can help with things like teaching puppies to be left alone or potty training. Say, for a small length of time when you’re not around to supervise them.
- Veterinarian advice: In some circumstances, such as to hasten a patient’s recovery after surgery, a veterinarian may advise utilising a crate.
- When you travel: Crates, such as those in the rear of your car, can make dogs feel safe and comfortable.
- In the crate, your dog should be able to stretch out, stand up, turn around, and lay down.
Who Needs a Dog Cage?
The crate serves as a safe haven for the dog when no one is present to supervise him. It serves as the dog’s bed and refuge. Its purpose is to provide confinement for the dog’s safety, security, house training, destructive behavior prevention, and/or travel.
What Size Dog Cage Should I Buy?
Consider your dog’s complete mature height and length according to their breed, so that when they eventually become full grown they won’t outsize their crate nor have you got to shop for a bigger crate as they grow.
How to Measure Your Dog for the Correct Cage Size?
Length of the dog crate
Measure your dog on all fours from the tip of the snout to the base of the tail.
This measurement should not include their entire tail length because it will make the crate too large. To get the ideal crate length for your dog, multiply this measurement by 2 to 4 inches.
Height of crate
Measure the distance from the floor to the top of your dog’s head while he is sitting.
The bare minimum height for your dog’s crate is 2 to 4 inches higher.
Width of crate
Since the dog crate’s width is determined by its length and height, you don’t need to take a measurement.
Weight limit
In case you need to transport the crate while your dog is within it, make sure your dog doesn’t weigh more than the manufacturer recommends.
What Kind of Crate Is Best for Your Needs?
Plastic Dog Cage
If your dog wants a little bit of extra solitude in its box, plastic crates are an excellent choice. These cages, sometimes known as airline kennels, can be an excellent choice if you intend to fly with a large dog.
Metal Dog Cage
A metal dog crate is an excellent choice for you if you plan to set up and keep your dog’s crate in one location at home. These are the most widely used crates since they can be altered in a variety of ways, such as by adding dividers or building DIY furniture around them to go in with the rest of the house’s design.
Soft-Sided (Fabric) Dog Cages
For convenient travel and short-term crating, a soft-sided crate is incredibly portable. A portable crate can be a great under-the-desk solution if you bring your dog to work to provide it with a secure space to hang out and relax.
Heavy-Duty Dog Cages
Does your dog manage to break out of containers like Harry Houdini? Are they also heavy chewers? Heavy-duty dog crates, frequently with riveted metal and double locks, are designed expressly for these habits. If you intend to use a dog cage in the rear of your van or SUV, or in the bed of a pickup truck, heavy-duty dog crates are your best option for crash protection.
Fashion (Furniture) Dog cages
If you live in a compact space, you can combine your dog’s crate with a useful piece of furniture that best complements the style of your house. Online offers a wide variety of styles, the majority of which may also serve as end tables.
Ex-pens — the “not quite crates”
Exercise pens (also known as Ex-pens for short) are another type of puppy and dog confinement system.
Ex-pens, unlike crates and kennels, have an open top and are more adaptable in terms of shape and size, as you can frequently adjust the shape and size to fit your area as well as your dog’s size and maturity level.
Dos and Don’t in Using a Dog Cage
Do’s
- Choosing the appropriate crate size will make your dog feel safe and secure as if it is their personal space. If your dog is still growing, start with a slightly larger crate to avoid having to replace it during its first couple of years. Some animal shelters will even rent you crates so you can upgrade as your puppy grows.
- Most dogs feel safe in enclosed, familiar environments. Instead of showing them a crate that is stark and empty, show them a crate where they can relax and feel safe.
Dont’s
- A small crate will prevent your dog from standing and stretching its legs. If your crate is too large, your dog will be able to use one end as a bathroom and retreat to the other side.
- Putting your dog in their crate as punishment is the quickest way for them to associate “crate time” with negative experiences, which means they’ll never learn to love and accept it. Your dog should not be afraid of its crate. “Time out” areas should be located in a completely separate area from the crate
How to crate train your dog?
Step 1: Intro your dog to the cage
Place the crate in a room where your family spends a lot of time, such as the family room. Fill the crate with a soft blanket or towel. Bring your dog over to the crate and greet him with a cheerful tone of voice. Check that the crate door is securely fastened open so that it does not hit and frighten your dog.
Step 2: Feed your dog in his crate.
Begin feeding your dog’s regular meals near the crate after introducing him to it. This will establish a positive association with the crate. If your dog enters the crate easily when you begin Step 2, place the food dish all the way to the back of the crate. If your dog is still hesitant to enter the crate, only place the dish as far inside as he can go without becoming fearful or anxious. Place the dish a little further back in the crate each time you feed him.
Step 3: Train your dog to stay in the crate for longer periods of time
When your dog is eating his regular meals in his crate without showing signs of fear or anxiety, you can confine him there for short periods of time while you are at home. Bring him over to the crate and reward him with a treat. Give him an entry command, such as “kennel up.” Encourage him by holding a treat in your hand and pointing to the inside of the crate. When your dog enters the crate, give him a treat and close the door.
Step 4: Crate your dog when you leave and at nights
- Part A: After your dog has spent about 30 minutes in the crate without becoming anxious or afraid, you can start leaving him in the crate for short periods of time when you leave the house. Use your regular command and a treat to place him in the crate. You might also want to leave him in the crate with a few safe toys (see how to use dogs toys). You should vary when you put your dog in the crate during your “getting ready to leave” routine.
- Part B: Put your dog in the crate with your regular command and a treat. If you have a puppy, it may be best to keep the crate in your bedroom or a nearby hallway at first. Puppies frequently need to go outside to relieve themselves during the night, and you’ll want to be able to hear your puppy whine to be let out.
Dog Cage F.A.Q
Are Dog Crates Cruel?
A crate in and of itself is not cruel, but how it is used can be cruel. It takes time to acclimate your dog to a crate, teach them to accept and even love it, and then use it correctly (and sparingly) for your dog’s safety and benefit.
Do Dog Crates Need Bedding?
Good bedding is one of the most important things to include in your dog’s crate. If you want your dog to see their crate as a safe, comfortable place where they can unwind at the end of the day or retreat if they are overstimulated, they must be comfortable when they lie down.
Can Dogs Share Crates?
No, never put two dogs in the same crate. It makes no difference if they get along well or if they are siblings or littermates. A crate is far too small a container. It should never be forced upon two dogs to share it.
Can a Dog Stay in a Crate All Day?
The dog can sleep through the night in his crate, but he should not be crated for 12 hours during the day. This is far too much time spent alone.
Can a dog sleep in a crate?
Yes, but only overnight, and only after your dog has a good night’s sleep. Also, closing the crate’s door at night is a bad idea. This will almost certainly result in whining because your dog will feel imprisoned.