BUYING GUIDE · DOG DEALS
How to Choose the Right Dog Crate
Sizing, material, and setup — for puppies, adults, and anxious dogs.
April 19, 2026 · 5 MIN READ
Sizing, material, and setup — for puppies, adults, and anxious dogs.
A crate should be large enough for your dog to stand without crouching, turn around completely, and lie down with legs extended. Nothing more. A crate that is too large defeats the purpose — dogs will not soil where they sleep, but a crate with excess space just gives them room to use one corner as a bathroom.
For puppies, buy the adult size and use a divider panel to section it off as they grow. Bodhan outgrew three "large" crates before we landed on a 48" wire crate with a divider — the divider saved significant money and avoided three separate purchases.
Wire is the default for most dogs. Good airflow, collapses flat for storage, easy to clean, and the fold-flat design works in apartments. Cover three sides with a blanket and you have a den.
Plastic (flight crates) are more enclosed and den-like by design — preferred by some dogs for that reason. Required for airline cargo travel; check your specific airline's requirements as specifications vary. Heavier and bulkier than wire.
Soft-sided crates are not for crate training or containment. Good for already crate-trained dogs who travel. They do not hold up to chewing and are not appropriate for any dog with a tendency to push against barriers.
Some dogs will destroy a standard wire crate — bending bars, forcing corner connections, working latches open. If your dog is anxious to the point of damaging the crate or themselves, first address the separation anxiety with behavioral intervention. If you need containment in the meantime, look at heavy-gauge double-door crates or aluminum crates from Gunner or Impact Dog Crates.
These are expensive but built for working dogs and dogs with genuine containment issues. Do not skip the behavioral work in favor of a stronger box — the anxiety does not go away.
A waterproof liner on the floor for young dogs or dogs prone to accidents. A fitted crate mat or bed — flat, washable, and ideally without stuffing a young dog can pull out and eat. Avoid raised foam edges that can catch toes on the crate wire.
No collar in the crate. Tags and buckle collars have caught on wire crate bars and caused serious injuries. If your dog wears a collar full-time, remove it before crating.