You probably know that puppy crates are unsurpassed when it comes to housebreaking young puppies. They are also extremely useful for other types of training, such as overcoming separation anxiety.

A lot has been written about how to use crates for different types of training. What I feel is missing is information on crates themselves.

You see, there are several types of crates on the market. Some crates are more useful for training, others for transporting your puppy (or an adult dog) while some can be used for both. There is even a crate that you can use to transport your dog by plane.

Let’s take a closer look at…

Puppy Crates

The most popular types of dog crates are a wire crate and an airplane crate. There are also crates made out of wood and thick polyester, but these are not as popular.

Let’s take a closer look at each type…

Wire Crate

As the name implies, a wire crate is made out of thick wire. In my opinion, this is the best type of a puppy crate for any kind of training. Why do I feel this way?

• It offers the best ventilation

• The most visibility

• Because it’s made out of metal, will last longer than any other type of dog crate

And finally…

• Because they have “open” design, wire crates are easier to clean than any other type of crate

Airplane Puppy Crate

These crates are made out of thick plastic (that’s why they are also called “plastic” crates). They have solid walls and ceiling and resemble cat carriers.

The two advantages these crates have over wire crates are…

• Because they have solid panels for walls and ceiling, they provide better sense of security for your puppy.

• This is the only type of puppy crate you may use to transport your puppy by plane.

If you travel a lot and would like to bring your dog with you, you need this type of crate.

Still, for the reasons I outlined above, I prefer wire dog crates for housebreaking or any other type of training.

Polyester and Wood Crates

Like airplane crates, polyester dog crates have solid walls and ceiling. Because polyester crates are made out of lightweight material, they are easy to transport. On the other hand, they are the least sturdy of all puppy crates.

I know a lot of dog owners who use wire or airplane crates at home but get this type of dog crate just for traveling.

Wood crates are made either out of solid wood or wood and metal combination. They are similar to wire crates but look “richer” and look more like a piece of furniture than a puppy crate.

We just went over the major types of puppy crates. Choosing the one that fits your needs shouldn’t be difficult!