How To Choose The Perfect Dog Crate For Your Cocker SpanielIn our previous article, Crate Training A Puppy, we established that a dog crate is a safe, den-like place where your Cocker can go when he needs peace and a quiet place to sleep - his own personal space. Dog crates come in many different shapes and sizes, and prices vary according to both size and quality. Here, our aim is to help you choose the perfect crate for your Cocker Spaniel.
Which Type Of Dog Crate Should I Choose?Which type of crate you choose - wood, plastic, heavy duty wire, or fabric - will largely depend on how you plan to use it.
A Crate Should Be Easy To CleanYour dog's crate will need to be cleaned regularly to keep it smelling fresh and free from bacteria, so the easier it is to clean, the better!Wire crates are usually supplied with a tray fitted into the base which can be easily removed for cleaning. The rest of the crate can simply be wiped clean with a damp cloth. Plastic crates can be cleaned in the same way and don't take as long to clean as the wire crates. Fabric crates are not so easy to keep clean as they need to be sponged clean and can easily stain. In some cases, however, the material cover may be removed from their plastic or wire frame to allow them to be washed by hand and left to dry naturally.
Choose The Right Sized Crate For Your CockerIt's important to choose the right sized crate for your dog - too small and he'll be cramped, too large and he may be thrown about and injured inside the car.If you're buying a crate for your puppy, make sure you buy a crate big enough to house him when he's a fully grown adult dog. You'll need to section off part of the crate to stop him from sleeping in one end and using the other end as his 'toilet'. As your puppy grows, you can gradually enlarge his sleeping area. A correctly sized dog crate will be big enough to allow your dog to sit, stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably. Very often, manufacturers will recommend which breeds will be better suited to their different crate sizes, which is very helpful. If you plan to travel with your dog, we recommend that you check that the crate you choose will fit into the car. You can buy a specially shaped cage to fit into the boot of an estate car or a hatch back, where the top of the crate slopes to follow the line of the boot/hatch door.
There are many different types and sizes of dog crates available and prices vary depending upon the quality and size.
Prices may also vary between manufacturers so, when shopping for dog crates - take your time and have a good look around! Your choice of crate will depend primarily on how you intend to use the crate. If you intend to travel with your dog, what type of travel will that be? If it's by car, I recommend a wire or plastic crate. If you are planning a lot of air travel, then I recommend you take a look at the plastic airline approved dog carriers. If you're simply looking for something to house your Cocker Spaniel, your choice is open to any of the dog crates available. Not all dogs and puppies take to a crate straight away - you may need to train your pet to accept and use his dog crate. Our articles, Crate Training A Puppy, and Crate Training A Dog will help you to do just this in not time at all!
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