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Pick the Right Crate for Your Dog

There are many different types of crates and variations within those different types. In order for your beloved pet to be as comfortable as possible, it is important to understand the kinds of crates that are available as well as how to choose the best crate for your dog.

Wire Crates
The primary benefit of wire crates is that your dog will still be able to see outside of his crate and feel as though he is more a part of household activities. However, this is not necessarily a good thing for all dogs, as they will feel too exposed and vulnerable. If this is the case with your dog, consider covering the crate with a blanket to make the crate more secluded.

A wire crate will also typically have a tray that is removable for easier cleaning. You can also find wire crates that can be folded, which makes them more portable. Many wire crates also have dividers that allow you to slowly add room for growing puppies. Finally, wire crates have the best ventilation, which can be important out in the sun or in a warm car.

Enclosed or Plastic Crates
These types of crates have more of a 'den' feeling to them. They are harder for the pet to see out of. The advantage to this type of crate is that it is excellent for traveling and shipping. If your dog happens to be quite clever, it will be more difficult for him to escape from this type of crate. Also, this type of crate contains messes much better than a wire or mesh crate.

Mesh
Mesh, or fabric, crates can be more easily destroyed. The advantage to this type of crate is that it is very lightweight. For this reason they are quite popular for dog shows and traveling with very small dogs, such as Chihuahuas or Pomeranians.

Crate Sizes
When choosing a crate for your dog, you should choose one that is large enough for your puppy to be able to turn around and lie down. For adult dogs, it should be large enough for your dog to stand up and stretch out. If purchasing a crate for a puppy, consider purchasing a large crate and then using a divider to make it smaller until your dog grows into it.

About the crate shown here This has a lot of nice features, and its available for amazon's free prime shipping. Here's what makes it good: - There's a door on both a narrow wall and a wide wall. This will give you some nice options for where you can put the crate. - It has the all-important puppy divider, so you won't have to buy three crates over time as your puppy grows. - It's collapsible, which means you can travel with it. One thing did catch my eye from the product photos. The image with the chow (the orangish fluffy dog) in the crate is actually showing a problem. The chow needs a bit more room - his ears are touching the top of the crate.

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Crate Training for Very Young Puppies

How to Pick the Right Crate for Your Dog

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