Why a dog crate helps
A crate gives your dog a den of their own: somewhere quiet to sleep, to settle when there's a lot going on, and to travel safely. Used kindly, it helps with house training, keeps a puppy safe when you can't watch them, and gives a nervous dog somewhere to retreat. A crate should never be a punishment, and a dog shouldn't be shut in one for long stretches.
What's in our dog crate range
Pop-up and folding travel crates
A pop-up crate is a fabric crate on a folding frame, with mesh windows and a zip door. It's light, opens in seconds and folds flat into a bag, so it's made for the car, holidays, shows and visits to family. Pop-up crates are best for dogs that are already calm in a crate; a determined chewer can get through fabric and mesh.
Octagonal pet tents and playpens
An octagonal pet tent is a folding fabric enclosure with eight sides. It gives a puppy, a small dog or a cat a contained space to play or rest, indoors or out, and folds away when you're done.
Dog cage with toilet tray
Our indoor dog cage has an iron frame and a pull-out tray, which makes it easy to keep clean during house training.
Crate covers
A crate cover goes over a wire crate to make it darker and more den-like, which helps many dogs settle and sleep. Our covers are made from waterproof Oxford cloth, so they also keep off wind, rain and sun if you use a crate outside. Check the cover's size against your crate's length, width and height.
Crate pads and beds
A crate pad is a flat, washable bed cut to fit the floor of a crate. Ours include anti-slip pads, thicker winter pads for medium and large dogs, and replacement covers.
What size crate does my dog need?
Your dog should be able to stand up without ducking, turn round easily and lie flat on their side with their legs stretched out.
- Measure your dog's length from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail, and add about 10cm.
- Measure their height standing, from the floor to the top of the head (or the tips of upright ears), and add about 10cm.
- Choose a crate at least that long and that tall. Each product page gives the crate's size in centimetres.
For a puppy, buy for the size they'll grow to, and section off part of the crate while they're small, so they don't use one end as a toilet.
Getting your dog used to a crate
- Put the crate somewhere your dog can still see and hear you, with a comfortable pad and a favourite toy.
- Leave the door open to start with and let them go in and out by themselves. Reward them for going in.
- Feed meals in the crate, then close the door for a few minutes while they eat, and build up slowly.
- Never use the crate as a punishment, and don't leave your dog in it for longer than they can comfortably manage without a toilet break.
- Take water with you on journeys. A clip-on bottle or a travel water bottle helps.
Crate, pen or gate?
A crate is a den for sleeping and travelling. A playpen gives more room to move about. A pet gate keeps your dog out of one room while leaving the rest of the house open. Many owners use a crate at night and a gate in the day.
