If you’ve ever owned a dog — whether you’ve just got a new puppy or you adopted a dog with some kind of traumatic past — you’ve probably wondered at some point whether you need a crate at all. I’ve been there myself, and trust me, finding the best dog crate picks for dog owners totally changed how I did training and day-to-day life with my pup.
A crate isn’t punishment. When you introduce it correctly, it becomes your dog’s safe haven — their very own den they want to snuggle up and sleep in whenever life gets overwhelming. Once I realized that, picking the perfect crate for my dog was actually pretty simple.
Why Having The Right Crate Actually Matters
I know what you’re thinking. A crate is pretty much just a box. Boxes are boxes, right? Wrong! Believe it or not, the style of crate you choose matters a lot. You want something that will help your dog feel at home as quickly as possible, so they see the crate as their new favorite spot — not as a dreaded punishment. If you choose poorly, you might end up with a crate that’s too drafty, flimsy, difficult to clean, or just plain unappealing to your dog. Then you’re stuck trying to convince them that hanging out in this crate is a good idea.
The right crate gives your dog a space they can call their own. Dogs love to have places to curl up and feel safe. Think of how much your kids love hiding under the covers and making little forts with blankets everywhere. Dogs feel the same way. The right crate plays into that instinct. It also allows you to relax when you need to leave your dog alone for a bit, keeps them safe during car rides, and makes housebreaking infinitely easier when you’ve got a new puppy that’s still learning where to go potty.
What You Need To Consider Before Buying a Dog Crate
Before you fall in love with the first deluxe dog mansion you find online, take a minute to consider these things first. These are the questions I ask myself before every single purchase, and they’ve helped me avoid some pretty costly mistakes.
Dog crates come in all different sizes, colors, materials, and styles. Some are foldable and some are intended to be permanent fixtures in your home. Here are a few things to consider before making your purchase:
Size: How big is your dog? Will you be getting your dog as a puppy and need something that will grow with them? Whatever you choose, make sure they can comfortably stand up, turn around, and lie down in the space.
Material: Wire crates give your dog plenty of ventilation and let them see what’s going on around them. Plastic crates are better for travel and tend to make dogs feel more enclosed. Soft-sided crates are lightweight and easy to move around, but not ideal if you have a dog that loves to chew or test boundaries. Wooden crates are attractive but really only serve as décor.
Cleaning: Some dogs will soil themselves in their crate if you’re not careful, especially in the beginning stages of training. Choose a crate with a removable tray or bottom so you can easily hose it off when needed.
Best Dog Crate Picks for Dog Owners
Best Overall Wire Dog Crate
I’ve had several MidWest crates over the years, and if I only had to recommend one crate to new dog owners, this is the one I would choose. It’s a double-door wire crate that is one of the most versatile on the market. Collapsible for easy storage, this crate includes a divider panel and even has a removable plastic tray with a slide-down lip for easy cleaning. The latches are secure but aren’t complicated mechanisms your dog could figure out how to open.
My favorite part about this crate is that it comes in so many sizes. Whether you’ve got a tiny Chihuahua or a giant Lab mix, they make crates to fit your dog’s exact dimensions. Having all that ventilation is also great for anxious dogs who may feel claustrophobic in plastic or wooden crates. It’s also incredibly budget-friendly when compared to some of the other options out there. If you aren’t sure what style will work best for your dog, this crate is a great place to start.
Best Travel Dog Crate
If you travel by plane with your dog or find yourself taking a lot of road trips, you need an airline-approved crate. Petmate Sky Kennels are made out of durable plastic and are accepted by most major airlines for in-cabin and cargo travel. They also feature ventilation openings on all four sides so your pup will always have access to fresh air no matter how the kennel is positioned.
Sky Kennels have durable latches that won’t pop open if your luggage gets jostled around, and curious pooches will love that they have visibility through the front wire door. If you plan on traveling with your dog in the crate, I recommend putting a piece of your clothing inside with them or their favorite toy. Familiar smells will help comfort them in a new environment, and these crates make it easy to do just that.
Best Dog Crate for Chewers & Escape Artists
Some dogs will test their boundaries no matter what you buy them. If crates aren’t properly introduced, your dog could decide they’ll just escape the minute you leave the room. Wire crates are great because they allow for ventilation, but what’s a pup to do if they absolutely cannot stand being confined to a small space? Enter the Diggs Revol Dog Crate.
Made with heavy-duty reinforced rounded wire and specially designed to prevent your dog from bending the corners, the Revol Crate gives you options. Your dog can be crate trained knowing they can’t wiggle their way out. If they just won’t be happy when confined, this crate features locking options on the top, front, and side. All of the doors have special latches that are difficult for your clever pup to maneuver.
Best Furniture Style Dog Crate
Wire crates are great if you’ve got a small home or you’re in the process of crate training. Everyone loves puppies, but once they grow into their adult size, that adorable little puppy crate isn’t going to cut it. And let’s be honest, some folks just don’t want to look at a wire crate staring back at them all day long. Enter furniture-style dog crates.
Typically made of wood, these crates have cushioned interiors and often come with trays that you can remove for easy cleaning. Not only does your dog have a place to feel safe and enclosed, but furniture-style crates allow you to show off your pup’s personality without screaming “I HAVE A DOG” to every guest that walks into your home. These crates are typically made for dogs who are past the chewing stage and already know how to behave in a crate.
Budget Pick | Amazon Basics Single-Door Folding Metal Dog Crate
Sometimes a basic wire crate is really all you need. This Amazon Basics crate is simple, sturdy, and affordable. It folds flat for easy storage, includes a divider panel, and even comes with a removable plastic tray.
Don’t let the simple design fool you. This crate is great for anyone just starting out with crate training who doesn’t want to spend a lot of money until they know what their dog needs. It’s not the sturdiest crate on the market, but for everyday use, it works well and lasts quite a bit longer than you might expect.
Looking for more ways to save money when owning a dog? Check out my tips for owning a dog on a budget.
Best Soft-Sided Dog Crate | AmazonBasics Portable Folding Soft Dog Crate
Soft-sided crates are perfect for calm dogs that you need to transport every now and then. They fold up easily and come with a handy carrying bag. This crate features mesh panels on three sides for ventilation, plus a removable, washable mat inside.
These crates are not recommended for puppies or dogs known to chew, since fabric and zippers are pretty easy for puppies to destroy. But if you’ve got a crate-trained adult dog who needs something lightweight for trips, this is perfect. I’ve even used these crates at dog-friendly restaurants so my dog could relax while we ate. They’re great for travel or dog-friendly outings. One of my favorite things about this crate is the price. It’s one of the more affordable soft-sided crates on the market.
Best Heavy Duty Dog Crate
If your dog seems like they could escape any crate you put them in, then you need an Impact Dog Crate. Designed with a heavy-duty welded aluminum body and slide-bolt latches, this crate is built to last.
The whole thing is quite hefty, so it’s not something you’ll want to haul around with you. It’s difficult to collapse completely and comes with no divider. Having said that, if you’ve tried everything and your dog has destroyed crate after crate, this may be the heavy-duty solution you’re looking for. Full disclaimer: this thing is pricey. But if you’ve got a dog whose teeth seem made for destruction, consider this crate an investment that you likely won’t ever need to replace.
Tips To Turn Your Crate Into Their Happy Place
Picking the right crate is only half the battle. How you introduce your dog to that crate is equally important. I’ve seen dogs become accustomed to their crate in a matter of days by following these tips. I’ve also watched dog parents struggle for weeks because they rushed the process.
Open the door and let them explore it at their leisure. Encourage them to go in by tossing treats inside. Leave the door open until they are comfortable walking back and forth at will. Then you can start closing the door for short periods while you’re hanging out in the same room. Slowly increase the amount of time your dog spends in the crate alone until they don’t seem to care either way. Always associate the crate with good things — toss them a treat or chew toy when they settle down inside.
Never punish your dog by sending them to their crate. You don’t want your dog to develop negative feelings towards their crate, because then you’ll have two problems on your hands to correct.
Lastly, don’t forget about crate pads or blankets. Dogs sleep a lot, and having somewhere comfortable to lay will make your dog far more likely to view their crate as a cozy den instead of a cold, hard plastic box.
Conclusion
As you can see, finding the perfect crate for your dog doesn’t have to be complicated. Just remember who your dog is as an individual. Taking their behavior and breed into consideration will help you choose a crate they’ll love. Remember that the crate isn’t punishment, and with these tips on how to introduce your dog to their crate, you should be well on your way to both picking out and successfully implementing this helpful training tool into your dog’s routine.
I hope my picks for the best dog crate picks helped you narrow it down to one or two favorites. If you’ve got any questions or comments, leave them below! I would love to hear what type of crate has worked best for your dog.
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