When a pet owner decides that they are going to use a crate with their dog they need to ensure that they choose the correct dog crate cage for their dogs size and needs. Most people do not realize that dogs are naturally used to a den setting so a cage is not alarming to them but is instead very comforting.
It is not cruel to use one and your pet may be more at ease. They can also be used for transportation if for some reason you need to move your dog from one location to another, regardless of how often; it will allow you to have a better handle on your dog’s safety during the trip.
Dog crate cages come in a variety of different materials from wire to plastic and even lightweight breathability forms to allow more air circulation. Wire crates may be more visually appealing and are better for a dog who chews frequently since it cannot be ingested. They are a bit harder to clean though. The benefit of using a plastic cage is that they are airline approved if you need for fly for some reason with your animal and have been recommended for dogs that get anxious more since they’re a bit more enclosed and den like.
The size of the dog crate cage is very important in the crate training process. You want to make sure that the cage is large enough for the dog to stand up and turn around but not large enough for them to have a bathroom area in it that they can separate from the area that they are sleeping and standing in. A correctly sized crate will make them more comfortable and make the crate training process more successful as well. Another step for determining height and length is to measure from the nose to the tail and add a foot and the back to the floor and add a foot.
Choosing the correct dog crate cage is probably the biggest decision you will make that will make that predicts the success of your training overall. If the cage is too large or too small you will encounter problems. Be aware that your first choice of crate may not be the best suited and you might have to experiment a little with sizes and material in order to have the most success in training both adult dogs and puppies as well.