Owning, keeping in training the dog is not a simple or an easy task, as most people think. In fact, owning such a pet should be a huge responsibility and you should see it as one. Especially if you want your dog to listen, to be obedient, to be loving and caring. These days, one of the best ways to teach a puppy or even an elderly dog is with a crate. At least, that is what most people and experts say. That is the most effective method of teaching.
However, if you have not had any kind of previous experience with this kind of teaching, it might be difficult to find the right crate for your dog. You have to consider several different things before you make the purchase. But, you should not worry too much because you probably have all the information that you need regarding this kind of product.
The only thing you need is a quick guide that can help you find all those factors that you have to consider. Fortunately, you are in the right place because I am writing this article to share all the tips I have for picking the right crate for your pet.
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1. Consider the height and length of your dog
One of the most important factors that you must consider is the height and length of your pet. This is vital because you want your pet to have the best experience when he or she is in her little “house”. You want them to feel as comfortable as possible in this little box. If it is too small or too short, your dog can easily get anxious and can start barking or squeal. I assume that this is not something that you want to happen.
So, if you want to take the right measurements, here is what you should do. First, stand your pet on all four legs and make sure it is looking straight. Get a measurement tape and measure from the base of its tail to the end of its muzzle, their nose. Keep in mind, you do not have to account for the entire length of the tail. Once you finally get the right measurement, you can add a few more inches extra to make the box more spacious for your pet. More space will equal more comfort.
The next thing you need is height. This time though, you need to set your dog down. While it is sitting, it would probably be best to start from its front paws and again, up to its nose. To have the height measured, again, add a few more extra inches to the box.
2. Consider a puppy’s growth
If your little loved one is still very young, you should expect that it will grow in the next few months or even the next full year. Expect that during this period, it can turn from a 5-pound dog into a 30 pounds one. But, I assume that you probably already know this. Obviously, that fully depends on what kind of dog breed it is.
Once you get a good idea of just how much it will grow in the next few months, you should consider that Internet length and height of your crate. Otherwise, if you do not, it will outgrow the box and you will need to purchase a new one. This makes for an unnecessary expense.
However, it can be a bit difficult to predict just exactly how much your dog will grow. You cannot know the measurements if your pet is still just a small puppy. The only way you can protect those measurements is by searching online for the average height and length for that exact breed. If your furry friend is a mix of breeds, you should try to find an average between those breeds. Of course, this will not be a perfect prediction of its measurements, but it is still better than nothing.
If you simply do not want to take the risk and experiment, you can just get a 72-inch kennel which is probably one of the biggest ones. If you do not really care how much space it takes from your home, go ahead and buy one. Although, We Love Doodles that you first do some research and check out a couple of reviews before buying a 72-inch crate.
3. Pick the right material
There are several different materials that you can choose from when purchasing crates. Which one you will get should depend on what you plan on doing with it. For example, if you want something more permanent, something that you want to be traveling with, I suggest going with a wooden crate. It will be comfortable for your pet and it will look great with your home.
The next option is to go with a plastic one. These can be very durable and sturdy while providing means for easy transportation. Usually, people buy plastic ones for smaller dog breeds. Because larger ones could bite through the plastic quite easily.
The most common type of crate I see is a wired one. They are much sturdier than the plastic ones while providing much better airflow. Naturally, the thick wires are made out of metal which means that these types of boxes are very durable. They can also be easily transported from one location to another because often, they are collapsible.
4. Customize it with a few additions
Now that you have found the right size, the right material, and the perfect crate for your dog, it would be best to customize it with a few additions. First, to make it more comfortable for your dog, I suggest buying a pillow of the same size. Since your furry friend will be sleeping and relaxing here, it would be much more comforting with a pillow in there. If you have gotten a wire crate, you could also buy a box cover. The cover can be of basic cloth or any other material. The design of these covers is also customizable.
After reading through this article, I hope that I have managed to guide you in the right direction to buy the perfect crate for your dog.
