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All dogs will sometime in their life need to spend time crated—at a vet hospital, say, or while traveling. So, already being accustomed to spending calm time in a crate can be useful to dogs, as well as to the owners responsible for them.
But choosing the right crate for your dog, and then providing him with effective crate training to yield maximum benefits, requires time and planning.
This article will explore some of the reasons why crate training is a generally recommended practice by professional dog trainers, how to shop for a crate, and look at a few crates available for purchase. Because dogs and dog crates come in all shapes and sizes, this article will focus on what to look for when shopping for a crate for a small dog.
I’ve based these recommendations and tips on research and my experience. I’ve written about dogs for a dozen years, worked in the behavior department of an animal shelter, and owned and fostered pugs for many years.
Should I Crate Train My Dog?
Why crate train your dog? Though it’s a common method of housebreaking, it’s about way more than that.
When a dog has been introduced properly to a crate, it can be a safe, relaxing space. If you’ve got a busy household, it’s good for your dogs to have a quiet, private place of their own. They can get away from stressful situations, and you can get your dinner cooked without a small creature underfoot.
There are times when it’s good to be able to confine your dog for safety without stressing him out. If you’ve got a serviceperson or guests going in and out of the house, they likely won’t have your awareness of not letting the dog slip out the door, and small dogs can more easily do so unnoticed. It’s safer for your dog to be in their crate with a nice chew toy.
Crate training can allow your dog to go more places with you. Some hotels allow dogs only if they’re crated when you leave them in the room. And even if it’s not required, you can’t be sure how your dog will act when left alone in a new place, so it’s safer for your dog and more considerate of the property.
There are lots of positive reasons to use a crate with your dog, and when used as directed (and not as a punishment), crate training can be an indispensable behavioral tool. For more expert tips on how to train your dog to use a crate, see the Association of Pet Dog Trainers article on crate training.
How to Choose and Use a Small Dog Crate
Get the Right Size
To choose the correct size crate for your dog, remember that the crate should be big enough for the dog to stretch out while lying on his side, and to be able to stand up and turn around easily, without hitting his head. A crate that’s a little too big is better than one that’s too small.
Once you’ve determined the size you need, figure out where you’re going to put it. The crate should be placed in a location that will be peaceful for the dog. Remember to make sure that you have enough space both for the footprint of the crate and to be able to open the door conveniently; pay attention to the direction the door opens.
Consider whether you want the crate just for home use, or if you are expecting it to multitask. Wire crates for the smallest dogs may come with handles and be portable but are not as useful for travel. Plastic carriers can be used both as your home crate and for travel, but with some caveats: Plastic is chewable, so if your dog is a chewer proceed with caution.
The plastic crates are also darker inside, so while some dogs seem to like the denlike atmosphere, others prefer to be able to see out. (One helpful thing to keep in mind is that you can always make a crate darker and warmer and instantly more denlike by putting a blanket over it.)
The smallest sizes of most available small crates will have only one door latch since there’s just not room on the door for more. Sizes larger than about 19 inches have room for two, and that’s safer; the brands we recommend below have two latches on those sizes.
Be Patient and Loving With Your Dog
It’s vital to introduce your dog to a crate gradually in a positive way, and never use it as punishment. Never expect a new dog, whether puppy or adult, to immediately tolerate long periods alone in a crate without being gradually trained to accept it as a positive experience.
Experts also recommend against crating an adult dog for more than four or five hours at a time. If you find yourself needing to crate your dog all day while you’re at work to keep him and your possessions safe, please consult a positive trainer for help.
Be Wary of “Dog Proof” Claims
Note that if you look through reviews, there is no crate that some determined dog, somewhere, didn’t find a way out of. Short of buying a second-hand tiger cage from the zoo, nothing can be guaranteed 100% dog proof.
But it’s important to also realize that if your dog chews or otherwise breaks its way out of a crate, you may have a more serious problem, from boredom to anxiety, that requires more of your time, attention, and won’t be solved by buying a sturdier crate. Again, please consult a good positive trainer.
Also note that experts caution that it’s safest to remove harnesses and collars when you crate a dog, because of the risk of tags and straps getting caught and getting your dog stuck, injured, or worse. In reality, most of us don’t do this. It’s inconvenient, and you need to balance this risk against the risk of your dog getting out somewhere when he’s not wearing ID. But be aware that this is a risk, even if a remote one.
The Best Small Dog Crates
Convinced that you want to buy a crate and train your dog to love it? Here are our recommendations based on research and my experience. You’ll see the first three look similar and offer similar features, but they are available at different prices on different websites for you to shop and compare.
1. MidWest Life Stages Wire Crate
This is a good standard wire crate by a company that has been in the business for many years and is well-liked among my colleagues. This crate comes in both single and double door versions.
Note that double door crates offer more flexibility, but two doors mean two possible ways to get out. If you’re not usually using one of the doors, consider latching it shut with a carabiner.
It comes with a divider to make the interior smaller, which can be helpful for housetraining a growing puppy.
Things to keep in mind:
- The 22-inch crate has one latch; 24-inch and up have two (offered in a total of six different sizes)
- The crate features rubber “roller” feet at the bottom so wire is not directly touching your floor (helps to prevent floor scraping)
- Sets up without tools and folds flat for transport and storage
2. Frisco Fold and Carry Wire Crate
This is the Chewy house brand’s version of the standard wire crate. As with the other brands, it assembles without tools, folds flat for storage, and has a divider panel to make the inside smaller, which allows you to use it for housetraining a puppy without having to buy another crate as your dog grows.
Things to keep in mind:
- The 22-inch crate has one latch; 24-inch and up have two (offered in a total of six different sizes)
- Comes in single and double door versions
- Some reviews note that the wire is less heavy-duty than other crates
3. Amazon Basics Wire Crate
Another basic small dog crate, this is Amazon’s version of the standard wire crate, with similar features to the ones described so far.
It’s generally well reviewed; multiple comments mention ease of setup, with a few mentioning that the wire caging is not particularly heavy-duty.
It does not have the rubber feet of the MidWest crate.
Things to keep in mind:
- The 22-inch crate has one door latch; 24-inch and up have two
- Comes in single and double door versions
- Comes with divider panel to make the inside smaller
4. Petmate VariKennel
This is a standard plastic travel carrier made by a company that’s been in the business for a very long time.
As noted above, a plastic travel carrier like this one will work for some dogs as a crate at home as well, as long as you’re positive that your dog will not chew the plastic.
Things to keep in mind:
- For the two smallest sizes, the two halves snap together; larger ones are held together by bolts
- The ends of the metal poles that hold the door shut slot into a reinforced plastic holder. This is safer than models where they are held simply by a hole punched in the plastic rim
- Has a style of squeeze latch that is impossible to open without opposable thumbs, so your dog will not get out by opening the door
- Petmate makes a style with wire ventilation that’s also sturdy and well-liked among dog owners, including the editor of this article
5. Frisco Plastic Kennel
Chewy’s version of the standard plastic kennel, with essentially the same important features as the Petmate as far as the style of the door latch. This style is also offered with a version that features a second door on top.
This particular feature can be useful for cats, which most people find difficult to train to walk into a crate voluntarily.
Things to keep in mind:
- For the two smallest sizes, the two halves snap together; larger ones are held together by bolts
- Available in 6 different sizes
- The ends of the metal poles that hold the door shut slot into a reinforced plastic holder
- Made of 95% recycled plastic
6. Crown Pet Products Wood Pet Crate
If you’re concerned about your decor, a crate that looks like furniture may be tempting, and if you’re fussy, you can spend quite a bit of money on one. However, remember you don’t want to also use these crates as furniture.
The crate should be a safe space for your dog, not one where people are making noise on it, putting down their coffee cup or the TV remote. This crate is a decent option if you’re positive your dog has no interest in chewing on wood.
Things to keep in mind:
- Well reviewed among the reasonably priced options
- Smallest size available is 29 inches
- Comes in two finishes, Mahogany and Espresso, and sizes (medium and large)
