Selecting A Crate for Your Puppy
Crating is an effective way to safely confine your puppy when she cannot be supervised and is also a helpful aid in housetraining. The crate you select should be large enough to allow your dog to stand up and turn around once she is adult size. Many types of crates are available, but these can be divided generally into wire, hard plastic and soft crates.
- Wire Crates: These crates are best suited for in-home crate training and can also be used for car travel. The wire construction allows good visibility and ventilation. An added benefit is that many models are available with divider panels to reduce space for puppies. These can be removed as your puppy grows. Many models are constructed to easily collapse for moving or storage. (One drawback: Wire crates are not approved for airline travel).
- Hard Plastic Crates: These crates were originally designed for pet transport and most models are approved for airline travel. These can be used for in-home crate training, but have the disadvantage of reduced visibility and ventilation.
- Soft Crates: These crates are very light weight, portable and easy to set up. They are well suited for use in hotel rooms or when traveling with pets. Although they can be used as an in-home crate for well-trained adult dogs, they are not generally a good choice for puppies who are not yet trained because they are not as durable as either the wire or plastic crates.
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