PETS Dog Kennels and Crates by Alphadog

By Abby Bird CONTRIBUTOR

There are any number of styles of dog containment products. Some work for certain dogs and others for different dogs depending on their size, age or behavioral issues. How do you know what style crate or kennel is the right one for your dog at a specific age or time of their life? Since we can’t always make the correct decision the first time, I recommend that you buy it from a place that it is returnable if it doesn’t turn out to be the right one for your dog.

For a new puppy I usually recommend a small wire crate (open and airy) that has a removable panel that we can use to make the crate smaller if we need to help with potty training. That enables you to buy a crate of the correct size for an adult dog but to make it smaller for current use and make sure that the puppy does not have access to the back where they’ll have freedom to pee or poop. If a dog is especially anxious or has issues with noise and activity you could purchase a fitted crate cover. This is better than putting a towel over the crate as they can pull that in and chew it and possibly injure themselves.

The covers are fitted exactly to the crate and are very much more difficult for the dog to pull inside. Darkening that crate helps a dog to relax when they are stressed or just to sleep.

Another option is a plastic dog kennel. Often this is a better solution for dogs that are stressed by noise or light as it is darker than a wire crate and is easily movable. It is much safer for them to travel in a car in a plastic kennel. A wire crate can be very dangerous in a car. If your dog is an escape artist a plastic kennel is generally considered better than a wire crate where a dog can injure themselves trying to get out. Another option in a metal kennel that is used for things like thunder anxiety or for dogs that are expert escape artists. It’s all metal but has limited holes for light. The roof looks like a house so the dog can stand up and have plenty of room. However, it is primarily made for a large dog (I have not seen them for small dogs.) They do need space in your home and not everyone has that. I own two of these personally and love them for my fosters and rescues.

If simple travel in the back of an SUV is what you require, and your dog has no desire to try to chew through a kennel or a crate I use a canvas style kennel which has zipped mesh doors for your dogs. It is light and airy, very comfortable and easy to move if you need to take it out of the car. You can always change products later if your dog needs change.