A pet crate is not just for puppyhood, it should be for life.

Because dogs are den animals, a crate is a great home to a dog. It can be a place where he can feel safe, keep his toys, and generally go when he needs a rest or time to himself.

A dog should never ever be allowed to sleep in your bed. It will give him too much status in the household, and make him think he is the alpha of the pack rather than you.

Many people think of the outdoor dog house or run as the place where a pet will spend most of its time, but even if your dog is primarily outdoors, a crate is very useful indoors.

It gives you more control over your new dog’s access to the house (and things it can chew!), visitors, keeps them out of the kitchen at mealtimes, and more. You also can’t leave a puppy outside for long periods of time, especially not in hot or cold weather.

A crate allows the pet inside the house, where they can observe their humans and learn the family routine and be trained in a controlled situation.

In addition, getting your dog into the habit of using a crate will help with boarding and kennel situations if your pet can’t travel with you.

If do you take your dog on the road, a crate is safer for travel for both of you. You will  not be distracted, and he will not be a danger to himself bouncing all over the place. The crate can provide an area of comfort, and easy clean up for a scared or anxious, or car sick dog.

Dogs can be just as easily injured in a car as a human when an accident occurs, resulting in death, or thousands of dollars of vet’s bills, so a crate, and a dog seat belt, are something you should consider sooner rather than later if you plan to travel with your pet.

So a crate is a great investment for on the road, as well as in the home.

We will be talking about crate training in another article. For now we want to focus on choosing the RIGHT crate before you get your puppy or new dog home.

Continued in Guide to Buying a Pet Crate Part 2