The 5 Types Of Dog Crates
Are wire or plastic crates better? Dog owners generally prefer to buy the classic wire crate design as it more aesthetically pleasing in the home setting whilst providing better ventilation for your dog and also being more destruction proof than the plastic crate option. In general, plastic dog crates are more often used for travelling e.g. going on an airplane.
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Size Guide For A Dog Crate
Buying a dog crate is important, however, the question you need to ask yourself when selecting crates is: What size of crates will be perfect for my golden retriever?
Here are a few key points you should keep in mind before measuring your dog for crate.
We mentioned earlier that big sized cages are not recommended because it can make your pooch uncomfortable. A large space may be difficult for your dog to oversee and control. He will be rattled by every sound or movement within its area.
This will destroy the peace and tranquility that your retriever ought to enjoy within its quiet space. In addition, your golden retriever may end up using a section of this crate to do his business.
On the other hand, small sized cages are not good. The narrow openings and little doors will restrict your golden retriever while he is inside.
Small sized crates can make your dog depressed, and agitated when it is not able to move, turn around, lay or sleep
Selecting the right dog crate for your golden retriever will demand a touch of expertise, and parental instinct. In the following sections of this article, we will present 10 of the best dog crates for golden retrievers.
So Which Type Of Crate Is Best
In my opinion, until your dog is house trained and completely over their destructive chewing stage, the most practical crate is without doubt a collapsible wire type dog crate. Its the most sensible choice of crate you can buy.
You can see our pick of the best collapsible wire crates available by.
Compared to other styles, a wire crate is by far the easiest to clean if there are any accidents, are highly durable and is the only one that cannot be damaged by the scratching and chewing of a destructive dogand many Labradors love to scratch and chew!
They arent the most portable when compared to plastic crates, but can be folded flat and transported if need be, its just a little heavier but still manageable.
They may not provide as much privacy and the den feeling of safety and security that other types offer, and they may offer little in the way of insulation in colder climates, but these problems are easily solved with the addition of a crate cover.
Finally, theyre reasonably inexpensive and due to them being so tough, will outlast most other styles of crate.
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Luckup Heavy Duty Dog Cage
If you are looking for an indestructible, rust-free dog crate that is intended for indoor and use, the Luckup heavy duty dog cage is a good choice.
The Luckup heavy-duty cage is made to last and comes with a three-year warranty.
The crate is made of strong durable steel with a hammertone rust-resistant coating.
The paint finish is non-toxic for your dog.
Designers of this dog crate took into consideration the safety and security of your dog. It features two locks with safety latches stopping even the most intelligent dogs escaping from this crate.
The Luckup Heavy Duty features double doors, one at the front that serves as the main entry, and a top door whenever you need to interact with your pup while inside their den.
In addition, you will enjoy the crates mobility thanks to its locking caster design. It features 360-degree rotating casters that keep the crate steady when securely locked.
The Luckup dog crate features a removable plastic tray that holds dirt thus simplifying the cleaning process.
Easy to assemble, it takes most people around ten minutes. The only accessories that you need are the screw bolts and four locking wheels.
Available in different dimensions of 36, 38, 42 and 48 inches, the overall dimension for the 42-inch crate is 41.5×30.5×37.
Can A Dog Crate Be Too Large
A dog crate should not be too large as it can affect your dogs house training.
For instance, they will be more likely to use it for other purposes, including as their bathroom.
- According to biologists researching wolf habits, wolf dens typically measure 40x50x20 inches.
- Therefore, based on the adult size of a Golden Retriever, look for an approximately 42 dog crate.
Specifically, a dog crate with dimensions of 42x24x30 inches will normally be a good size for your adult Golden retriever.
Crates designed for large-sized dogs are heavy-duty, sturdy, and durable.
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What Size Of Crate For A Golden Retriever Puppy
Most dog owners will bring home a puppy rather than a full-grown dog. To avoid buying multiple crates, look for ones that come with dividers so you can expand the crate as the dog grows. If you put a puppy in a large crate, there is a possibility that misbehavior, such as peeing or pooping in the crate, will occur because youve provided the puppy with the extra room to do their business.
Do your best to figure out how big your puppy will be by getting the measurements of its mother and father. For a female puppy, focus on the size of the mother and for a male, the father. Use the measurements of the parents to purchase an adult crate for your puppy. Again, make sure it has dividers that can temporarily make the crate smaller.
It is best to know the height and length of the puppys parents to help you select the size of crate your puppy will need however, if you only know their weight, that will be okay. Use this table to help you figure out the size of the crate you might need based on the weight of the parent:
| Parents Weight |
| 48-inch crate |
Haige Heavy Duty Dog Crate
If we were ranking dog crates based on company name, this wouldnt make the cut. But fortunately, Haige Pet Your Pet Nanny heavy duty dog crate is a quality crate, perfect for Golden Retrievers.
Theyre definitely more pricey than the first two options, but they do a few things better than those competitors. Theyre ranked third mainly because of price. Though, you get what you paid for.
The Haige Heavy Duty Crate Overview
- What to Get: The 42 inch.
- Reviews: 100 +
- Highlights: Heavy frame, non-toxic finish, locking/caster design, 360 wheels, plastic trays, roof .
Best Features
What makes the Haige heavy duty crate so much better than any other dog crate is the frame. Its made with rust and corrosion-resistant steel and will withstand any large dogs attempt at escaping.
The frame isnt just durable, but comes with a nice non-toxic finish. Young Golden Retriever puppies, in the midst of teething, will certainly try to chew up the crate. So, this feature provides a great dog-safe enclosure for your pup.
However, the only negative is the one-door option. It makes it slightly more difficult to access whatever you put into the crate . Still, the one door is built with durability in mind with its dual locks and safety buckles.
If you get the roof version, youll have two doors. Because the second door is on top, it provides a clever way of getting things in dog crate without the chance of your dog escaping.
What Golden Retriever Owners are Saying
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The Labrador Site Founder
Pippa Mattinson is the best selling author of The Happy Puppy Handbook, the Labrador Handbook, Choosing The Perfect Puppy, and Total Recall.
She is also the founder of the Gundog Trust and the Dogsnet Online Training Program
Pippaâs online training courses were launched in 2019 and you can find the latest course dates on the Dogsnet website
Now You Know What Size Crate You Need Which Style Should You Choose
The sheer number of different styles of dog crate on the market is quite startling. There are crates made of wire, plastic, wood, cloth and many more besides.
As explained on www.ScoutKnows.com, each type comes with their own advantages and disadvantages, meaning not all types are a perfect fit for all dogs or all owners.
It will be useful for you to know the benefits and drawbacks of each type of crate so you are fully armed to make the correct buying decision, so Ill briefly discuss these now.
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What About Golden Retriever Puppies
So what about small puppies? Do i need to buy a dog crate as my pooch grows through every stage?
Most dog crates feature divider panels that you can use to section the crate to fit your pooch well, based on their size.
As they grow you can go on adjusting the divider position until they fit the whole dog crate.
Which Dog Crate Is Best For My Puppy
This post may contain affiliate links. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post.
This post is sponsored by Carlson Pet Products. We only share information we feel is relevant to our readers. Carlson Pet Products is not responsible for the content of this article.
It was a rainy day on January 7th, 2005. I asked the sales associate at the pet store: which dog crate is best for my puppy?
Yep, Im talking about the day I rescued Linus from the Carson Animal Shelter.
I already knew I wanted to crate train Linus, but I had yet to research the different types and styles of crates.
Fast forward 13 yearsIve crate trained over a dozen service dog puppies using several different types of crates and today Im going to share with you my answer to the question: which dog crate is best for my puppy?
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How To Measure Your Dog For Crate Size
A lot of the crate size guides that you will see show recommendations based on the weight of a dog. However, when selecting the proper crate for your dog, the size matters more that the weight. Your dog should have a crate 6 longer than the length of his body and 6 higher than his shoulder height for maximum comfort. The best way to measure this dog is with a simple tape measure.
The two measurements that are important are height and length of your dog.
How to measure the height of your dog
Have your dog sit on the floor and face upward. Use your tape measure to find the distance from the floor to the tip of the highest point on your pets head. This could be the forehead, nose or ears, depending on the dog.
To be even more confident that your measurement is right, you can also measure your dog standing. Measure from the top of the head to the ground, just like you did when sitting. Take whichever of the two measurements is higher.
When you have this height, add three to six inches to make sure that you are leaving enough room for your dog to be comfortable. You can think of this height as the minimum, but you should not be concerned if the crate is slightly taller. If you are on the border between two sizes, go with the larger one.
How to measure the length of your dog
Measuring length of your dog for a crate is both a measurement and a calculation. Measure your pet from the tip of the note to the base of the tail .
Tips for measuring your dog for a crate
Metal Wire Crates And Kennels
Wire dog crates are the most common types of crates and are often made from metal. They are rectangular and made of robust metal bars.
There are two-door options with these crates single or double doors. This is often decided by the amount of space available in your home though its always easier to get a two-door if you have space.
They are collapsible and can be folded away and stored if needed. This is also useful if trying to move the crate between rooms trying to get a Golden Retrievers rather large dog crate through a door while still unfolded can be a challenge, believe me Ive tried.
The metal also makes this a very chew-proof type of crate. Its also fairly escape-proof with doors often having bolt locks at both the top and bottom of each door. Some have finer guards around the bottom of the crate to stop your dog clawing outside of it.
A plastic tray is often provided for the bottom of the crate. This is for placing padding or bedding on the bottom for sleeping it. It also means the crate can be cleaned a lot easier should accidents occur.
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Advantages Of Using A Dog Crate
Eases the Transportation of Your Dog
A fully trained golden retriever knows how to behave well. This means you dont have any hard time getting your dog in the car. The well-spent time in dog crate training can also be applied in this situation wherein you will need to transport your dog using a crate through a long ride journey.
Its less hassle for you when you are going for scheduled checkups for your dog or even excursion trips to faraway places. Your dog is happy while remaining calm on the road. Also, dont forget to bring their favorite dog toys and blankets to ensure that there will be no problem along the road.
A Crate is For Calming
A crate is not only used for dog crate training, its also for calming pets who are beyond control. Because some dogs, especially puppies who are full energy will play with another dog or children endlessly. Of course, if the puppys playmate is already tired and the puppy itself is still aroused and full of energy, it will be hard for them to calm down.
Instead, the best way to calm them down is to put them in a dog crate for just a few minutes. If they are relaxed and have calmed down, release them immediately and give them some positive reinforcement like his favorite dog treats.
This is to remove the idea of punishing him through solitary confinement and feel not bad about what happened. Not to be confused with cruel punishment by confining him because you are in big trouble if you do that.
A Dog Crate Keeps Dogs Apart
Labrador Size Charts & Growth Patterns
As with most dog breeds, Labrador Retrievers have their most significant growth period in the first 4-8 months of their lives. At this time, they will get to around 50% of their adult weight.
As mentioned above, when Labs get to their adult size , they will likely continue to grow outwards as their muscles develop. This means their weight will keep going up for a while. Our interactive puppy growth chart and calculator has more information on that.
Additionally, this is why its particularly important that your Lab puppy gets the correct nourishment he needs to grow that adorable little body into a healthy adult one. Check out these guides on best dog food for puppies here.
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Slowly Introduce Your Dog To The Crate
Introduce your pup to the crate very slowly. This is imperative to the success of your crate training sessions. Never force them into an unfamiliar crate or other enclosed space this may introduce trauma and harm the entire process of crate training them.
Allow your dog to have a slow introduction to the crate by using treats or toys. For this, youll have to know whether your dog is food-motivated or play-motivated. A few things you can do to encourage them into the crate include:
- Lots of verbal praise
- Lots of physical praise
- Using treats or toys to lure them inside of the crate
- Feeding treats through the open crate door to keep them inside
Over time, you must acclimate them to the crate being closed as you do this, you can feed them treats through the closed door or the wiring of the sides or the top of the crate. This lets them know the crate is a positive area and that there is nothing to fear when inside. You can also feed your dog their regular meals in the crate, to begin to normalize being inside of it.
Continue these slow introduction methods until your dog begins to approach and enter the crate themselves.
Which Material Is Better For The Golden Retriever Crate
Dog crates are made from different materials.
- Wooden crates give that natural smell that helps the dog feel homely. They are comfortable, safe, and recommended for pets.
- Crates are made from plastic netting too where the walls and upper side are made up of plastic or wire netting. It is open and airy but you need to see if any wire is torn out, it can injure your dog.
- Metal gives that strength to a cage and keeps it safe but it may make the crate heavy to handle.
- Plastic crates are very light and easy to carry but they should be well ventilated to keep your dog safe.
We advise buying plastic netting crates for Golden retriever puppy. Its light, safe, open, and comfortable. Your dog wont feel confined as compared to if contained in plastic or wooden crates.
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