How to Pick the Right Crate for Your Dog

Episode: How to Pick the Right Crate for Your Dog (Ep. 112)
Release Date: September 24, 2025
Host: Amy Castro
Guest: Ruth Hegarty, Trainer and Behavior Expert, Founder of Creature Good Dog Training
Summary: A practical guide to choosing the right crate size and style for your dog, with budget tips and placement considerations.
Links: petparenthotline.com | Guest: Creature Good Dog Training 

Recommended crates/accessories: (some links may be affiliate links and we may receive a small commission if you buy- we use this to keep the show AD FREE!) 

1. Impact Dog Crates

 Affiliate Disclosure: Some links may be affiliate links. If you buy, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Veterinary Disclaimer: This show is educational and not a substitute for individualized veterinary advice.
Transcript Note: Edited lightly for clarity and readability.
Chapters: 00:00 Intro | 01:59 Meet Ruth | 07:06 Sizing and dividers | 11:59 Materials | 19:15 Special cases | 27:23 Accessories | 32:17 Cleaning and doors | 33:41 Wrap 

Amy Castro (00:00)
Picking a crate for your dog might seem simple until you are staring at rows of wire, plastic, soft-sided, and even furniture-style crates and wondering which one is right for your dog. Today we are going to talk about how to keep the crate-buying process logical and budget-friendly, and the pet advice that can turn a crate from a cage into a safe haven for your dog. Stay tuned.

Amy Castro (00:29)
Welcome to the Pet Parent Hotline, your lifeline to practical solutions for your toughest pet parenting challenges. I am your host, Amy Castro, and I am here to help you cut through the noise and turn expert advice into step-by-step strategies so you can stop chasing your tail and start enjoying life with pets again.

Amy Castro (00:54)
Welcome back to the show. I will be honest, the first time I ever bought a crate, I had no idea what I was doing. I picked one for my dog based on the price and the size I thought he would grow into. Let’s just say that was not the best decision. The first night was a nightmare. The mess in that crate was… a lot. I think it was still on the walls when we moved out of our first apartment. Since then I have learned how much a crate can help with managing behavior and keeping your home intact. But figuring out the right one is where we get stuck, right?
My guest today is Ruth Hegarty, a multi-certified trainer and behavior expert, and the founder of Creature Good Dog Training. She helps families every day with real-life training and behavior challenges, especially with reactive dogs. She makes sure pet parents have both the tools and the confidence they need to succeed. Ruth, welcome back to the show.

Ruth Hegarty (01:59)
Thanks, Amy. I am happy to be here. Good to see you again.

Amy Castro (02:03)
Good to see you too. I appreciate you coming on to talk about crates. We are doing two episodes together, one on picking the right crate for your dog and one on how to start using it so your dog actually enjoys going in. I did an episode before about the benefits of crates, and I told listeners that in my house each dog has a crate, they know which one is theirs, and they go right in. It is not a big deal. But a lot of people struggle with the idea because it can feel like putting a dog in a cage. You are very familiar with crates as a trainer, and you also just got a new puppy, right?

Ruth Hegarty (03:03)
I did. I adopted him at 11 weeks on August 1. He was 15 pounds then. He is 17 weeks now and 35 pounds. We are working diligently on potty training, which is one reason crates are beneficial. Crates also help you teach your dog to be home alone and to entertain themselves. It is a good place to put your dog if you have company who are afraid of dogs, or if there is food out and you do not want your dog taking food from a toddler’s hand. There are a lot of reasons to have a crate: protecting the dog and protecting your belongings.

Amy Castro (04:20)
And if you have multiple dogs, like we do, crates can prevent squabbles over food. At feeding time everyone goes to their crate. Bowls go in, doors shut, two minutes later doors open, everyone comes out, and all is right in the world.
I mentioned in the intro my first experience and what I did wrong. I was being budget-conscious and had a puppy who would be a large adult. I bought a ginormous Great Dane-size wire crate thinking I would only have to buy one. That first night was rough. There was howling and crying, then peeing and pooping, and because wire crates do not keep stuff in, it went everywhere. Since then I have learned a lot about crates. Sometimes it is not that crates are a bad idea, it is that you are not using the right crate.

Ruth Hegarty (05:49)
Right. Or you did not put in the foundational training to help the dog like the crate. There will always be individual dogs who do not take to it, and dogs with true separation anxiety often do not find crates comforting. But the vast majority of dogs, if trained to like their crate, will love it. Once they are crate trained and the door is open during the day, they will take snacks in there, nap in there, and come and go. My puppy, Archie, hangs out in his crate during the day.

Amy Castro (07:06)
Let’s talk about buying crates. First up is size. That giant crate I bought was way too big for a puppy.

Ruth Hegarty (07:12)
Yes and no. If your puppy will grow into a 50 to 80-pound adult, buying the adult size once makes sense. What you cannot do is give a puppy the whole space. If there is too much room, many puppies will designate one area as a bathroom and the other as a sleeping area. We do not want that. A lot of wire crates come with a divider, or you can buy one. Use it to size the space so your dog can stand up, turn around, and lie down comfortably, but not pace. They are not in there to exercise.

Amy Castro (08:49)
It is funny you say that because my crate had a divider and I had no idea what it was for. I probably have six of those in the barn. I could have resized as he grew.

Ruth Hegarty (09:10)
Exactly. Buy one crate for the adult size and graduate the space with a divider. If you do not have one, you can DIY a temporary divider so the usable space stays just right.

Amy Castro (09:45)
We did keep that big crate but also bought a smaller one, which worked out once we had two dogs. Money tip for listeners: before you buy new, check Facebook Marketplace, Buy Nothing groups, or local pet groups. People often give away or sell good crates for a fraction of the price once they no longer need them.

Ruth Hegarty (10:23)
Totally. I routinely see crates of all sizes being given away.

Amy Castro (11:59)
Materials. There are traditional wire crates, plastic airline-style clamshells, soft-sided options, and furniture-style crates. How do you choose beyond aesthetics?

Ruth Hegarty (12:10)
Think about airflow, visibility, climate, and your dog’s behavior. Wire gives great airflow and visibility and folds flat. Plastic is more enclosed and can feel den-like, which some dogs prefer. Soft-sided works for travel or temporary setups but many dogs can chew out. Furniture-style looks nice but may not be sturdy enough for determined dogs. There are even acrylic crates now. I base it on budget, aesthetic, and what will keep my dog safe and calm. You can also dress up a basic wire crate with a cover or a cloth over the top and use it as a table if your dog is not climbing on it.

Amy Castro (14:24)
We switched our dog Jack from wire to a big plastic crate when he developed storm anxiety. With a blanket over it he seemed more comfortable and stopped trying to escape.

Ruth Hegarty (15:32)
That makes sense. Plastic versus metal filters noise differently, and a cover changes the acoustics and light. A little trial and experimentation is normal. Well-adjusted puppies adapt to most choices. With adult dogs you might need to be pickier.

Amy Castro (16:40)
Storage matters too. Plastic crates with bolts are harder to store. Wire folds up and slides under a bed. Big purchases like an Impact crate can last a lifetime, but they are heavy and expensive. Wire can rust if it gets wet, so check used crates carefully.
One note on furniture crates: they look great, but if your dog is pushy or bored, many are easy to pop open. If your dog respects boundaries, fine. If you need true security while you are out, go sturdier.

Ruth Hegarty (18:55)
Right. Think safety first for dogs who get into mischief. A secure crate prevents risky behavior like chewing cords or getting into appliances.

Amy Castro (19:15)
Special considerations beyond separation anxiety?

Ruth Hegarty (19:20)
Physical limitations. A paralyzed dog may need a wider doorway and more room to turn. Seniors with arthritis might benefit from slightly more space to reposition. Average healthy dogs can be chosen more on aesthetics, but outliers need the crate that supports their bodies and emotions best.

Amy Castro (22:31)
Placement in the home matters. Think about traffic patterns, temperature, glare, line of sight to windows, and how much activity your dog will hear. You want your dog to feel part of the family but not overwhelmed.

Ruth Hegarty (22:54)
Exactly. Avoid direct sun and nonstop hallway traffic. Near a window is fine if outside noise does not stress your dog and you can use a cover if needed.

Amy Castro (27:23)
Accessories? I do not usually leave water in for a short errand.

Ruth Hegarty (28:03)
Healthy adult dogs should not be crated longer than about four hours without a break. For comfort and safety you can add crate-specific fans, attachable bowls that do not tip, fitted crate beds, or a lick mat that sticks to the side to save floor space. If a dog eats bedding, skip it until they mature. If they are lying on the plastic pan, limit duration so joints are not stressed.

Amy Castro (32:17)
Cleaning and access also matter. Two doors and a larger side door make cleanup easier and give you more placement options.

Ruth Hegarty (33:22)
Agreed. Check door configuration when you buy.

Amy Castro (33:41)
Wrapping up, I have two quick questions. If you had one final piece of advice for pet parents struggling with the idea of a crate or the decision about which one to buy, what would it be?

Ruth Hegarty (34:19)
Put yourself in your dog’s mind. What crate will make your dog feel comfortable, emotionally safe, and happy? If they will spend a few hours a day in it, which option would they choose? Thinking from your dog’s perspective makes the decision easier.

Amy Castro (35:20)
Great advice. If you get out of your head that it is a prison and into your head that it is your dog’s bedroom, you are golden.
If today’s conversation got you thinking about your crate setup or what to buy next time, check the show notes for links to crates I like. If you have brands you love, Ruth, send them to me and I will add them. And listeners, if you have crate training challenges, send a DM or email. We would love to hear about them.
Remember, choosing the right crate is not about perfection. Try, experiment, and use our tips. Find what works for your dog, your lifestyle, and your budget. Thanks for listening to the Pet Parent Hotline. If you enjoyed the show, text a friend with a link and tell them, “I have a show you need to hear.” Your pet’s best life starts with you living yours, so take good care of yourself this week and your pets.