When you have to leave your dog at home for an extended period of time make sure you crate them. If you leave your dog unsupervised you may come home to a chewed up carpet or worse. Crating may seem unpleasant at first but as long as you train your dog well and refrain from using the crate as a form of punishment your dog will not mind being in the crate. Dogs want to feel secure and will view the crate as their secure place as long as they are trained properly. If you leave your dog’s crate open you might be surprised to find that they will nap or relax in their crate on their own. For added security you may want to drape a blanket over your dogs crate when they are napping.

It is important to make sure that you get the right size crate for your pet. A dog should be able to stand up and turn around comfortably in their crate. It is important to measure your dog’s height and length before you purchase a crate to ensure that they will be comfortable. To properly measure your pet you should measure from the base of the tail to the tip of the nose and add 9-12 inches to determine what size crate they will need. When choosing a crate you can pick a conventional metal fold-down crate or a soft-sided collapsible crate. Soft-sided crates are generally made of water-resistant nylon and feature mesh windows for ventilation. These crates usually weigh less than metal crates which make them ideal for travel or camping. Traditional metal fold-down crates are ideal as a durable long term solution. They usually feature a removable plastic pan for easy clean-up. Make sure that the security door closes securely. It is best to purchase a crate with slide bolts to ensure that you dog cannot get out of the crate while you are away. Doggie Vogue has a wide selection of both soft-sided and fold-down crates for you to choose from. We also provide a sizing guide for each crate to assure that you are able to make a well-informed decision when choosing a crate for your pet.

Crate beds are a great way to make your dog feel comfortable and secure in their new crate. The ideal crate bed features bumpers on the side to give your dog a nestling area and soften the edges of the crate. The bed dimensions should be slightly larger than the crate dimensions so the bumpers are supported by the crate sides. You should select a bed that is made of easy to wash fabric that is also sturdy enough to resist tearing. When crate training it is important to provide your dog with an appropriate fitting crate and make sure to emphasize in training that the crate is a safe, secure place for your pet. Doggie Vogue has everything you need to begin crate training and we’re happy to help you select the right crate and accessories for your dog!