The 5 Best Crates To Train And Restrain Your Pupperino

A crate may initially seem extreme for your fur baby, but it actually appeals to an animal’s natural instincts as they are comforted by confined spaces. Dogs seek shelter when they are nervous or afraid, which is why crate training can prove helpful when faced with the challenge of being left alone. Crate training is intended to teach your dog mutt manners like staying calm when kenneled or preventing them from chewing up your couch as a way to pass the time. You can make crate training abundantly easy with one of the best dog crates on Amazon.

Often dogs that have just come from a shelter are accustomed to being in a crate or cage-like container, so allowing them a similar space helps them ease into their new environment. If you’re looking to crate train your pup, keep reading and see what suits you and your pooch.

Best Dog Crates to Consider

Crate training may seem daunting, so we’ve compiled a list of crates to make your search run smoothly. To prevent any distractions and ensure the crate you’ve chosen is homey, you must invest in things like a crate cover, crate food/water bowl inserts, and a comfortable cushion or bedding. If finding all of these items is too much, opt for the MidWest Homes for Pets iCrate starter kit, which includes all you need in its packaging.

For those concerned that a crate will make their home look like a petting zoo, we’ve got you covered, too, as our list provides crates that are fun in color and resemble household furniture. You can even use the top of the crate as a table to display decorations, dog treats, toys, or anything that tickles your furry friend’s fancy.

The most important thing is to select a crate that is fitted to your style and needs. If you know you would like to move the crate from room to room, choose one with wheels. If you travel a lot and intend on the crate being an interim fix, go for a travel crate that is smaller in size or can be collapsed.

No matter the crate you choose, you should deck it out with your pup’s favorite things so they’ll feel at home, even when you’re not.

MidWest Homes for Pets iCrate Dog Crate Starter Kit

If you’re not sure where to start when it comes to buying a crate, try this all-in-one option iCrate, which has two doors, a removable dog bed, a crate cover, and two attachable pet food bowls. Shopping for your new pup requires a lot, but this starter pack crate system considers everything. The crate even comes with an adjustable divider panel so that you can manipulate the crate’s size as your dog grows, thus, not having to invest in a larger new one. The bottom consists of a plastic pan to place the bed on while ensuring any pee or poo stays inside the crate. If you’re looking for waste disposal bags for the cleanup process, consider some we’ve selected here.

Even better yet, this crate is collapsible, so you can pack it up and take it with you or put it away for safe storage.

We love this crate because it has all the needed crate training accessories while being affordable and adaptable. Even better yet, this specific model can handle dogs between 71 to 91 pounds, so you know your big buddy is accounted for. Crate training just got that much easier.

Pros:

• One-year manufacturer’s warranty
• Includes a bed for the crate, a crate cover, and bowls that can be attached to the crate
• It does not require any tools for assemblage

Cons:

• Feeding bowls make come with difficult-to-remove stickers
• It may be too large to fit in some cars

unipaws Furniture Style Dog Crate

So you want to crate train your dog but don’t want it to ruin your decor — no problem. The unipaws crate is styled to look like a rustic end table with a wooden finish and mesh wiring. This crate is stylish and sleek, functioning as a table accommodating 200 pounds of weight. While this crate is fashionable, it is also functional, as it comes with three locks and a magnet to ensure your pup doesn’t sneak away when nap time rolls around. We like that it comes with cushioned bedding for your dog’s comfort and a tray to catch any accidents they may have.

This crate is even made of an MDF material which has a much smoother look than typical particle boards, so you can save the splinters for that birdhouse you’ve been planning to make. Overall, this high-class crate allows you to feel like you’ve bought something from Better Homes and Gardens, not a pet store which means you can show off your new fur baby and furniture.

Pros:

• Aesthetically pleasing
• Cushioned bedding and tray included
• Mesh wire allows for optimal airflow

Cons:

• Attachable pet bowls are not included
• The wood is not chew proof

Petmate Portable Dog Crate Kit

Whether you’re set for the road or flying high, this crate has you covered. The portable plastic crate kennel includes a travel kit with a puppy pee pad, a spill-proof food/ water container with four compartments, two “Live Animal” adhesive decals, an ID tag for your pet, and lastly, the zip ties and tools you will need for assemblage. Often traveling will leave you scatterbrained on the details, which is why this set is perfect for any frazzled pet parent unsure of the best system to transport their furry friend. Most crates are cage-style and may cause you some difficulty when trying to transfer them. This one is made from eco-friendly plastic that is not only easy to clean but easy to move because it is compact.

This crate is intended to be a carrier for your canine on flights, car rides, or even basic trips to the vet. While most crates stay home, this one is for when you’re on the move and need to take your pup with you.

Pros:

• Made with eco-friendly plastic material
• Tools for assemblage are included
• Made for traveling

Cons:

• Meets most airline cargo specifications, but not all
• This model does not come with a carrying handle

Jongee Metal Dog Crate in Green

The Jongee crate has to be the prettiest on our list, with its attractive option of pastel colors such as green, blue, light pink, pink, orchid, and white. This color collection is straight out of the Easter basket and makes other metal crates pale in comparison. What we especially like about this crate is its self-locking latch, 360° lockable wheels, and removable tray base. The self-locking latch is for that forgetful pet parent who continually gets outsmarted by their doggo — been there — while the wheels make for easy transport and the tray for any messes your mutt may make.

The crate comes with a roof door that allows you to keep the crate airy and open when you’d prefer to use it more as a playpen than a kennel.

Ultimately we love the look of this crate and think you will too.

Pros:

• It comes in a variety of cute colors
• It has wheels to move it from room to room conveniently
• Features both a top and front door

Cons:

• It does not include cushioning or a bed
• It requires an estimated ten minutes to assemble

New Age Pet ECOFLEX Dog Crate

Even your miniature mutt needs crate training, so New Age Pet has made one with you and yours in mind. Like our unipaws option, this crate is an excellent end table and decorative piece for your home. We love the chocolate brown finished wood look paired with an adorable bone-shaped latch for a happy medium of chic canine furnishing. The wooden finish is a plastic-wood polymer material that ensures it will not deform or splinter over time, so you know it’s meant to last. Most crates are big and clunky, but this one is just the right size to fit your petite pooch and any tabletop accessories you may desire.

Who said crate training couldn’t be classy?

Pros:

• No tools are needed for assemblage
• Wood finish is made out of a non-toxic, recycled material
• ECOFLEX material is environmentally friendly

Cons:

• Bed or cushioning not included
• Wood is not chew proof

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I crate train my dog?

Crate training is beneficial for a dog’s development as it exposes them to being left alone so that they can learn to self-soothe. Whether you are going to bed, or leaving the house for a few hours, crating your canine establishes a calm environment for them, thus, keeping them out of trouble.

However, your dog should not be in their crate for the entirety of the day as it is meant to help them establish their own secure space but is not to be used as a prison. Your dog, like you, needs social interaction, exercise, and outdoor entertainment to flourish, so please only crate them when necessary.

How can I ease my dog’s nerves when crate training them?

Positive reinforcement withchew toy, blanket, pillow — or any object they feel safe with — so they can feel comforted in a confined space. Lastly, a possibly obvious but effective method is to affirm your dog with positive verbal feedback such as “good boy/girl,” “good job,” or “that’s a baby.” Your pup wants to please you, and a little encouragement goes a long way.

How long should I crate train my dog for?

The duration you crate train your dog differs from breed to breed and owner to owner. Crate training is mainly intended for the first two years of a puppy’s life, as after this time, they should become mature enough not to need a controlled environment when left on their lonesome. However, dogs that are not puppies may need crate training if it did not occur at the beginning of their life. Ultimately you should decide if you want your dog to remain in their crate at night or when you are away, but the hope is that they will eventually not need such behavioral reinforcements.

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