Crate Training For Dogs: Introduction
An introduction to what crates are and
why you may want one
MetPet.com Staff Writer
  A crate, or portable kennel, is a wire or plastic carrier with four
walls, a top and a door that can be closed. They help satisfy your
dog's natural instinct to dig a den in the dirt for sleep and protection.
Crates for dogs provide a clean, secure and quiet place where they can lie
down, take a nap and feel secure. A nursing mother or a sick dog may
use a crate for refuge.
Dog
crates are useful for:
- Housetraining. A dog has a natural instinct to keep his bed
clean so a crate can be invaluable for fast, easy and stress free house
training.
-
Safety. A crate can keep your dog from getting into trouble when you
cannot watch him. Crates can be used for safely introducing your dog
to other pets and keep him calm after surgery or when he is ill.
- Peace and Quiet. The crate should be a refuge for your dog
away from prying eyes, poking fingers and other distractions. They are
useful for older dogs when there is a new puppy in the house and are useful
for all dogs when there are toddlers around.
- Travel. Crates are used for traveling whether in a car or by
plane and can be a home away from home in motels, when camping or when
visiting friends and relatives.
When crates do not work
Crates are a tool but they should never be used for punishment. Crates
must be seen as pleasant, safe places for dogs.
Some
dogs are claustrophobic and crates create more problems than they solve.
In some cases, crates themselves become the problem as when a dog becomes
desperate to escape one.
How to select a dog crate
Crates come in a number of different styles, price ranges and materials.
The most common types are:
 - Metal
or wire crates. These are collapsible down to a few
inches thick which makes them easy to store underneath a bed or in a closet
when not in use. They range from lightweight ones  more suited for tiny
dogs or birds and heavy duty ones for large dogs.
Wire crates can be heavy and unwieldy and require a bed or folded blanket
to pad the metal or plastic tray on the bottom. For dogs who prefer privacy and a
more den-like environment, you will need to add a commercially made cover or
place a throw over the top and sides. Some crates have two doors while
others have only one.
Sturdy wire crates can protect a dog during some car crashes. Since
crates can last the lifetime of your dog, it is worth investing in one that
is well made and sturdy.
-  Plastic crates. These crates are made in two pieces. The
top and the bottom can be separated for storage although they do take up
quite a bit of space. The front doors lift out as well. They are
commonly used for airline travel.
They are easy to clean and offer enough privacy on their own. For
dogs who want a crate with a view, these styles of crates can be too
confining. If you are
planning to use a crate inside your car, fully collapsible ones can be
easier to get into the door.
New styles of plastic crates offer similar features to wire crates. They
also collapse to a few inches in height and can be used for travel as well.
- Fabric crates. These use nylon sides around a metal frame.
They are not as sturdy as metal crates and a
chewing puppy or dog with claws can work a hole in them. They are
lightweight and comfortable for well behaved dogs but do not provide
protection from car accidents as well as sturdy metal ones do.
If you decide on a fabric crate, it is best to avoid those that are so
lightweight that they can be barrel rolled and ripped open by a dog.
- Other considerations. If you intend to travel with your
dog, measure the outside dimensions of the crate to make sure it will fit in
your car and that you will be able to see over it. If you plan on
traveling by air, you will need one approved for air travel.
If you have a large house, you may want a crate for the living room or
kitchen and one for the bedroom. This is especially useful when house
training puppies. The one in the living room can be a wire one with a
view of the activity. The crate in the bedroom can be enclosed to
promote sleep.
After your puppy is house trained, you may decide that a crate is no
longer needed. You can sell or pass on the crates to friends, donate
them to a shelter or keep them for your next puppy.
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