Dog Crates / Cages Amazing Quality At Embarrassingly Low Prices

Why a dog crate?

A dog crate is a cage usually made of wire and its purpose is to provide custody for reasons of safety, house-breaking, protection of property, travel or illness. You may think that putting your pet in a crate is cruel or inhumane and might cause your pet to resent you or to be psychologically damaged. However, dogs view a crate very differently than us humans.

As your dog sees it, the crate is his little room or space - a "cosy den". The crate helps to satisfy the "den instinct" inherited from his den-dwelling ancestors and relatives. Your pet will enjoy the feeling of security he gets from his crate and a reduction in anxiety because he knows that's his space. It may take a few days or up to a couple of weeks to get him completely used to the idea that it's his personal area but when he does he will happily go to it of his own accord. Your dog wants to please you and you want to enjoy him. The crate can help you achieve a better relationship with your pet by preventing unwanted behaviour when you aren't available to supervise him.

You can enjoy peace of mind when leaving your dog alone, knowing that nothing can be soiled or destroyed and that he is comfortable, safe and not developing bad habits.
You can housetrain your pet more quickly by using the close confinement to motivate your pet to wait until taken outside, since canines naturally avoid soiling their den.
You can travel with your pet without risk of the dog getting loose and becoming lost or interfering with safe driving.
Your dog can enjoy the security and privacy of den of his own to which he can retreat when tired or stressed.
Your dog can avoid much of the fear and confusion caused by your reaction to problem behaviour.
Since he can more easily adapt to staying in unfamiliar places as long as he has his familiar "security blanket" along, your pet can be included in family outings, instead of being left behind alone.

Purchasing a crate
There are a number of companies offering them and you can see some of them on our list of competitors link above and make the comparisons for yourself. They can also be purchased at some pet shops. We advise you to get a wire crate that includes a removable metal floor pan. Plastic crates can also be used, although some dogs will chew the plastic and some plastic floor pan crack due to the acid in the urine and of course this looks tatty too. For your pet's comfort, look for one with a smooth floor not ridged. Make sure it is large enough for your pet to stretch out on its side and to sit or stand erect. If you have a puppy, it is more economical to buy a wire crate that will accommodate him as an adult but while he is a puppy put a box in the crate to reduce his area so that it is snug and he doesn't use one end to do his business and the other end to sleep. A movable wire or pegboard partition can be made or purchased. For bedding, use an old blanket or buy a washable crate pad. So you will be looking at paying between £20 and £50 for your crate (plus carriage) depending on size but this is a real bargain compared to the cost of replacing a sofa, woodwork, carpeting etc.

Where should I put it?
Because canines are pack and social animals they like to be with the pack in that social environment so try to place the crate in an area where the family spends a lot of time like the lounge kitchen or family room, etc. The top of the crate can serve as extra shelf or table space. At night, move your puppy's crate into your bedroom so you can hear him if he needs to go out.

Crating a puppy
A young puppy will usually have no problem accepting the crate as his space. Any yelping or whimpering at first is probably caused, not by the crate, but by adjusting to an unfamiliar place. Try not reward barking or whining with attention! If you are sure he doesn't need to eliminate, ignore him until he is quiet, then praise him or take him out of the crate. Do not leave meals in the crate or feed your puppy immediately prior to confining him. Most puppies will spill water left in the crate. Do leave a safe chew or toy in the crate for your pet. Close your pet in the crate whenever he must be left alone or can't be closely supervised by a responsible person. Never crate your pet longer than you know he can wait to eliminate, and definitely less than 4 hour intervals during the day. If you occasionally must be gone longer than this, place the crate with the door open in an enclosed area such as a bathroom or laundry room. Put newspapers on the floor of the room to enable easier cleaning of the area. Your puppy should soon stop eliminating overnight and then may be crated in his regular place.

Crate training dogs over 6 months
Often problem behaviour in this age group is the result of feeling insecure when left alone. A crate can actually help alleviate this anxiety, but it must be introduced gradually and in a positive way. The dog's first association with the crate should be as pleasant as possible. First secure the door open so that it can't suddenly shut and frighten the dog. Encourage your pet to enter voluntarily by tossing a treat into the far end, praising him enthusiastically once he enters, then letting him come right back out. Once he enters the crate confidently, coax him to lie down and relax, using treats if necessary. Shut the door briefly, while you sit beside the crate or when there are people in the room. Again, don't reward barking or whining, with attention.
When you feel your dog will remain quietly in the crate, leave him alone for 15 - 30 minutes. If all goes well, you can leave him for longer intervals. Eventually, you may no longer need to shut him in the crate, but he will probably appreciate still having access to his special place.

Does the crate always work?
Most of the time but there are some dogs (normally adults) that do not want to feel confined and a few will even mess in their crate.

Use - don't abuse!
Children should be taught that the crate is a special room for the pet and that they should not pester the dog or pup when it is in the crate or use the crate as a play area.

The use of a dog crate is NOT RECOMMENDED for a dog regularly left alone all day, although some individual animals can tolerate it. If it is attempted:

The pet must be well exercised before and after crating.
The crate must be equipped with a heavy, non-tip dish of water.
Your pet should get lots of attention and complete freedom each night.

If you do not have time to take a puppy or dog outside to eliminate and exercise as recommended here, you should reconsider getting a do as a pet. Crate or no crate, any dog consistently denied the attention and companionship it craves, may still find ways to express bored anxiety, and stress