Settling on which dog crating solution is right for your pet may seem like a difficult task because there are many different types of crates available on the market. There are wire crates, wooden dog crates, portable plastic dog crates, and even adjustable dog crates. With all of the options, you may not know how to choose which one is the best choice for your particular pet. Fortunately, choosing this essential piece of pet furniture is easier than it seems.
Your first decision should be to decide what look you are going for. Do you want the portability and simplicity of a wire crate or are you looking for a pet furniture that blends in with your home decor such as the more decorative wooden dog crate? Wood crates are typically on the more expensive end of the scale, but are also more attractive than your average wire crate. Your budget will likely help determine which type of crate you will buy.
One convenient factor about both wood and wire crating options is that both of these come in fixed or adjustable varieties. This means that if you have a puppy and want to avoid having to upgrade each time they go through a growth spurt, an adjustable crate may be the best choice. Crates which offer the adjustable feature are often more expensive initially, however, buying an adjustable dog crate means you are making a single purchase designed to last for the lifetime of your pet. If your dog is older, a fixed size crate is your best bet and will save you some money. Fixed size crates are less expensive and come in a variety of sizes to fit dogs of different breeds and sizes.
Once you've decided between a wire or wooden dog crate, and whether you need one that is fixed or adjustable, the next step is finding the right size. Look at your dog for an idea of the size crate to buy. If you have a puppy or dog which is not yet full grown, take the breed into consideration and determine how large you expect your pet to be once they reach their full adult size. Once you have a rough idea of how big your dog is or will be, you are ready to go crate shopping.
You will want to pick a crate that is big enough for your dog to comfortably lie down in, as well as sit up or stand in. You don't want to get a crate which is too large, or your dog may start eliminating in the unused portion of the dog crate. The idea is to get a crate that's just large enough for the correct size pet bed and for your favorite hound to be able to sit, stand or lie down comfortably, but little more than that is necessary.
Once you have settled on the size crate you need, all that's left is to furnish it with a high-quality pet bed. It may take some time for your hound to adjust to using his or her crate, however, their canine instincts for a den of their own should kick in quickly and they will soon begin to view it as a safe place where they can go when they begin feeling anxious or nervous or need a break.
Pet owners who work outside the home will also quickly discover how nice it is to have your dog safely contained in their crate while you are away, preventing them from eliminating around your home or getting into trouble because they are bored. Crate training your dog is one of the easiest ways to keep him safe, healthy, and happy.

Nadia Paone runs an online dog supply store that specializes in quality pet gear including wooden dog crates and pet furniture. Although dogs make wonderful, loyal and loving pets, they also have specialized needs for security, companionship, training, safety, proper nutrition, health and exercise. Nadia loves tracking down the latest in pet trends and technology to help us identify and meet those needs with the goal of enhancing the quality of life for our canine best friends.