It can be very confusing when looking to buy a dog cage for your best friend. The reason for this is that there are so many types available. These vary from the heavy duty metal dog cages to the smaller, cut, decorative ones that tend to appear more like a piece of furniture.
The cheapest types on the market are the wire cages or crates. They can be used for both travelling and crate training your puppy and are easily serviceable. They are open on all sides and so do not really provide a quiet retreat for your pet. They can, however, be covered with a blanket to provide a quiet shelter.
On of the more popular choice amongst pet owners is the soft dog cage. They look cute and are often in bright colors, so pet lovers adore them. However, they are not ideal if you dog likes to chew things or if he is going to grow much bigger. If your dog is not a chewer, you will find them quite durable.
One of my favorites is the wicker cage which will often complement your furniture quite nicely. This is a popular choice when a dog owner is looking for something that will mostly be used indoors. Like the soft cage, these are more suitable for smaller dogs.
The most common type of cage used for transporting dogs is the plastic dog cage, which has a door at the front and air vents on the top and along the sides. These types are often a little more expensive than the other models available. Therefore, it is worthwhile buying one that is also an airline approved carrier, in case you decide to travel by air at a later date. I would advise this type of cage over the wire variety for travelling in a car.
When considering what type of cage is most suitable it is important to also consider the size of your dog and his habits. If he is large and a chewer, I would recommend a hard plastic dog cage, especially if he is going to be spending a lot of time in the cage.
Whichever type of cage you decide to buy, it is important to remember that this is your dogs new home. He should see this as somewhere that provides him with security and somewhere quiet to rest.
Fran writes articles on the large dog cage and about how to train your dog with large dog cages.
