What kind of crates do you prefer and why?

**BitsyNaceyDog** · 08-22-2006, 09:54 AM

I prefer plastic crates. I doubt I'll ever buy a wire crate, I don't like them at all. I feel that the plastic ones are more safe and secure. I like that the plastic ones are more private, I think that they offer more security for my dogs. Nova is afraid of thunderstorms. When we have a thunderstorm she will run one of two places- she will either run and sit between my feet or she will run to her crate. Those are the places she feels most safe and secure. I don't think she would feel that safety in an open wire crate.

I also think plastic crates are much safer. There is a much better chance of dog (a well crate trained dog) being hurt in a wire crate than in a plastic one.

When we found Jake we didn't think we'd be keeping him so we didn't want to buy a big crate that we'd never use after he was gone. I borrowed a wire crate from a friend who has a border collie, the only time she used it was in the car so she could do without it for a few days. Jake hated it and never wanted to go in it. We wanted him to like it and we would bribe him into it with food and reward him once he was in it. He'd go in it but he wasn't too happy, He's cry and bark at first but would eventually settle down. I had however seen him smush himself into Nova's plastic crate (I'm still baffled as to how he did it). When we bought him his own plastic crate everything was better.

Our other dogs have never been in a wire crate (at least not while we've had them). I keep the doors to their crates open and often find them sleeping in them throughout the day. They eat in their crates everyday and sleep in them every night. When I tell them it's supper time they all go running to their crates and they do the same when I tell them it's bed time. None of them are ever upset to go in their crates.

**.sarah** · 08-22-2006, 11:58 AM

I don't like the plastic crates because they are unnattractive and bulky. I have three wire crates in my home and I can cover them with piece of wood and a sheet and they look like a table. One of ours doesn't fold down and that one stays in the house permanently, but the other two fold down easily.

I prefer the soft crates over any other crate, but in the house, they don't look good. I do actually have two of my three soft crates set up downstairs because that way all four dogs are able to stay down there when we leave instead of two dogs upstairs and two down. I also use them in the car, on trips, at obedience class, at the park, etc. They are wonderful, I love them. However they are not very sturdy, and Luka and Mandy don't do good in them for long periods of time or if left alone. If I take either of them somewhere where I need a crate, I fold up my wire crate and take it with me.

**dab_20** · 08-22-2006, 12:42 PM

I like the wire ones. They have better air circulation so they don't get stinky inside.

**Flatcoatluver** · 08-22-2006, 01:07 PM

I have all three, but Zoey and I prefer the soft crate. The only problem with the soft crate is that it has no way to hold a crate fan. I hate hauling around at dogs shows the big bulky ones.

**lv4dogs** · 08-22-2006, 01:52 PM

I have 3 wire crates and wouldn't want it any other way. They fold down with ease & set up in a snap, well except one of them because it is an old crate. lol They are very sturdy & easy to clean. They are portable as well. One of them even has double doors (door at the end and one on the side) Someday I will add a soft sided crate to my crate family for when Kaige competes in agility.