CRATE SIZING
Measure from the base of the tail to the end of the nose and add 6-8 inches. Then measure the shoulder height and add 4-6 inches. Picking the correct size crate for your dog is very important. You don't want anything too big. At the same time, you don't want anything too small. He should be able to stand up, turn around, and lie back down again comfortably. To pick the correct size cage for a full grown dog, measure him from the floor to his shoulder and then add two inches. This will give you the height of the crate you want. Use a divider if you are crate training a puppy that will grow to a large dog. A crate with too much room may allow them to use one end as a bathroom.

CRATE SELECTION
Plastic crates are used mainly for short trips as carriers to the vet or airplane travel. Most crates have wire doors and vents on both sides for proper air circulation. Smaller plastic crates come with handles so they can be transported easily. Large Dog Crates can be used in the home, outside, or for travel (vehicle or air flight). Check with your airline if you are buying this crate for airline travel only. Airlines may have different restrictions. Folding wire crates are used for home, kennel and shows and can also be used for your traveling pet. Soft sided fabric crates are light weight, fold up easily and are perfect for camping , vehicle travel or being temporarily confined while outdoors. Soft sided crates are not recommended for active chewers,aggressive dogs or outside in severe weather.

Crate Training Tips
Experts recommend crate training your dog, even if you don’t intend for the dog to stay or sleep in it. There very well may be an occasion where your dog will need to be crated and it is best if you've made it a happy and rewarding experience. Ideally, crates are not always designed to be used permanently, but more as a training tool until your dog is house trained and has adjusted to your home environment. Some dogs might always need crating when left alone. Although most are easily house trained. Every dog is unique and requires a different approach. We believe as long they are not crated any longer than 6 hours at a time, there is no harm done. With puppies, you can base the time they can be crated on how many months old they are (3 months, 3 hours, etc.) DO NOT use the crate as punishment. By the time you get the dog to the crate, they will have no idea what they did wrong, Being placed in a crate should ALWAYS be a rewarding and pleasant experience for the dog. The crate is a valuable tool for house train your dog. After you’ve had your dog a few weeks, work in 5 or 10-minute increments, leaving your dog alone to see how they behave when you leave the house. Do this gradually when you have time to work with the dog. DON’T make a “big deal” out of leaving and IGNORE the dog for about 5 minutes after returning, no matter how much attention they seen to want. Aftewr a while, your dog will be able to leave your dog alone in the house. As with any teaching, it takes PATIENCE, CONSISTENCY and TIME. In cases where your dog may need to be crated when you’re away, make sure the dog gets PLENTY of exercise BEFORE and AFTER being crated. If you must leave your dog crated while you are at work, make arrangements to come home during lunch to let the dogs out for a break and to run around. If you’re not able to, maybe have a neighbor or hire a pet sitter to come by once a day. YOUR DOG will love you for it!