photo credit: bdollprojectyou are a new dog owner, or even if you have had a pup before, you may be amazed at the vast amount of choices you have as far as puppy accessories go.  Perhaps you have walked into a pet store and seen row upon row of different styles and brands of dog crates and you wonder why you really need one in the first place.

Many dog owners have found that training their pup with the crate method (that is, putting puppy in the crate at certain times of the day) is the easiest dog training method.   Usually dog owners will put their new puppy in the crate when they have to go out for a short period of time, or attend to something else in the house (such as a phone call, or a visitor dropping in).  Leaving your little puppy out and running around while unattended, and while your puppy is not fully trained, is a recipe for disaster – puppies love to chew shoes and furniture and wreak havoc when given the opportunity to do so.

Believe it or not, dogs do actually appreciate having a dog crate, once they get used to it.  It is ‘their place’, a nice quiet place where they can go to rest, or when things get hectic and confusing around your house.  They just like having that spot that they know is theirs and belongs to them.

But perhaps your dog is an outside dog and you feel he would only need a dog kennel.  Well, here are two points to keep in mind that apply to outside dogs as well as inside dogs, which may help you see the importance of choosing a dog cage even for your outdoor pup:

• If you ever have to travel with a dog, for example, if you are visiting family over the holidays or if you move houses, then you will need to put the dog in a dog crate and it is much easier if the dog is used to this than if you have to put him in one for the first time right when you are about to walk out the door.  And if your dog gets car sick, as some dogs do, you will likely find it much easier to handle with him in his crate than with him roaming the car!  And even if your dog is not the kind that gets car sick, it can actually be quite dangerous to be driving with a loose pet in the car, as it can easily distract you or get in your way and cause an accident.
• If your dog gets sick, or the weather gets really bad, then you will most likely want to bring your pet indoors either for the night, or for a few days, as the case may be.  During that time, as an ‘indoor dog’, you will want to have a cage for him and have trained him to be used to the idea of at least tolerating dog pens.

Generally speaking the design used in dog kennels is one that uses some type of a metal material. It is basically a large cage which a dog can be kept inside of for a short period of time. There are some variations on the models available such as the style that can be folded. This particular style can come with a reinforced metal that has a durable epoxy finish. It has a bottom panel that can be slid out and cleaned or replaced as necessary. It can also be folded so it is flat and will fit inside a car.

Some of these units for dogs can come with an additional divider you can use if you have more than one dog and want to keep them separate. The basic wire mesh units come as lightweight or medium weight items. You will also find some steel cages or kennels available. The steel crate hybrid comes with 4 doors for your dog to use. This makes the unit easy to place anywhere in the home and still be able to have the dog enter or exit.

The style of the hybrid crate design comes with molded plastic on parts of the cage to help smooth out the edges. This keeps the metal from scratching or damaging your floors. They also come in assorted decorator colors which makes the unit a nice model to use as an indoor dog house. The kennels available for dogs come in a range of sizes to fit the type of dog you own. Most of the styles designed to be used as temporary cages or dog houses for inside your home, do not allow extra room for the dog to walk or run in.

If you are looking for a full size kennel that you can place as a permanent fixture outdoors, you will need to find a larger size. The style of kennel that is used for outdoor purposes should have plenty of room for a dog to stand and walk around in comfortably. If you only need a unit to transport your pet in while traveling, then you should look at the various types of dog cages that are available.

When you think of standard dog cages, you probably envision wire crates or plastic kennels. While these serve the purpose well, they are not terribly attractive when placed in your home. Still, for your pet’s safety and that of your belongings, an area to confine your pet is important. However that does not mean you can’t find the perfect balance between utility and appearance.

Wooden Dog Crates

Some pet owners prefer wooden dog crates. These come in a variety of styles and wood grains. Although they might not be suitable for busy chewers who might destroy the wood, most are constructed to provide a sturdy safe haven for pets. The best part is they look just as attractive as most furniture. Guests will hardly notice that lovely square end table is actually your pet’s sleeping quarters.

Aluminum Dog Dens

A more modernized approach has been taken to the standard pet cage by creating cylindrical aluminum dog dens. These are similar to a wire dog cage, but without the unsightly appearance. The walls consist of a sheet of aluminum with attractive shapes cut into the sides for air flow. The flat top makes this type of cage ideal for use as a small table without interrupting your pet’s quiet time.

Choose a Dog Crate for your Home

Select a dog crate that offers a beautiful look as well as a space saving design. Avoid placing extra furniture in your living room that will make movement difficult and detract from layout. Instead, you can replace an end table or create a new surface for a lamp or other attractive accents while providing your pet with a little personal space. Wood, nylon, plastic, woven and metal dog cages are out there that have been optimized for your home’s appearance and your dog’s comfort.