So you’ve decided to take the plunge and decide to build a puppy crate for your new puppy. The first thing that comes to mind is whether you should buy your puppy crate from a pet store, or build one yourself. There are pros and cons to both approaches. If you decide to go the DIY route, there are some considerations that will help with the decision making process. You’ll need to decide how large you want your crate, what material you plan on using, how secure you want the door to be, how much room do you need for your puppy to run around, how much money will you have to spend…to name a few.
If you’re just going to be using your crate during the first few weeks of owning your puppy, then you can get away with just about any type of cage. Seniors and senior dogs however, don’t have the same luxury of having anything extra in their homes, so you’re going to need to do a little extra to keep them comfortable and safe. Many people are allergic to the synthetic materials that most cages are made out of. Therefore, these types of cages need to be waterproof, have an opening for a windscreen, and can’t be sealed completely.
For the pet owner that is trying to house train their puppy while also being reasonable about space, wire crates are a popular option. Wire crates provide the pet owner with the ability to lock the door of the crate during transport, providing a safe place for the dog to be contained during transport. Wire crates can also be used for training purposes. Some dogs develop a lot of separation anxiety because they aren’t permitted to use their own rooms. A wire crate can solve this problem quite nicely.
If you’re using a wire crate for an older dog, you may be concerned about the weight limit. However, this shouldn’t stop you from buying crates designed specifically for large or heavy dogs. Some of these are available as doorless crates, which allow you to lock them completely and take them out of the house without having to worry about letting the dog out. These are typically only available in six to eight week lengths, but they can be great for ensuring that your pet doesn’t get out while you’re not home.
There are several other sizes available, as well. Small dogs, puppies, and even old dogs can be crates. Many times, people prefer plastic shell furniture crates as opposed to wooden ones due to odor issues. But plastic does have its advantages. Plastic is completely waterproof, is completely safe for even small breeds of dogs, and won’t break down easily. Also, if you’ve got an indoor/outdoor house, plastic shells are a great choice as they will keep your furniture in one piece and keep the smell down.
Wire crates are another option for how to build a puppy crate. As the name implies, wire is used for structuring a confined space, usually for dogs that have the means to get out. This is used to keep a dog confined, making it impossible for it to escape or harm itself. While wire is typically used for dogs confined to a small area, there are cases where using wire around large pets may be dangerous. It is important to make sure the wire used is completely sturdy and can withstand a lot of pressure.
Petmate provides the ultimate wire dog crate. It comes in various sizes and colors and has a steel top to provide support and security. The petmate plastic crate also folds flat, making it easy to store and transport. The best part?
If you plan on using plastic or wire dog crates, you should invest in a few things. You’ll need two leashes to attach to your dog’s leash, one large enough to accommodate the dog and one smaller to put around the dog’s crate. The next thing you’ll need is some plastic tubing, which you should cut to fit the dog crate dimensions. Finally, you should use some rubber feet on the bottom of the crate so the dog crate doesn’t slide around when it’s closed.
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