A Beginners Guide To Soft Sided Dog Crates

Choosing a soft dog crate does not have to be difficult if you know their limitations and how you intend to use it. Before you buy it is important to note that not all dogs will tolerate a soft crate. Even the priciest well constructed crate can be reduced to a pile of scrap if your dog is not kennel trained and he decides he wants out. A stressed or active dog can chew through the fabric, rip the seams, and destroy the zippers of a soft crate. Soft crates are best for dogs that are already comfortable with the structured space a kennel provides.

Soft crates are popular because they are light weight, easy to manage, portable, and sturdy when assembled. Most collapsible plastic or metal crates are a pain to haul around, but soft crates are a cinch to load, unload, and move. If you're thinking about buying a soft crate here are a few tips that may help you in your selection.

One of the main complaints about soft dog crates is the Quality of the Zippers. You want to be sure the crate you choose has well constructed zippers, if the zipper breaks the crate becomes useless. Some dogs are leaners; and if the dog is large he can bend the frame or stress the walls until the seams weaken and the panels sag. Also It's been noted that some crates have been reported to have a chemical odor that comes from the fabric used in their construction, although the odor seems to diminish in time. You may want to check that this is not a problem in the crate you choose.

So how do you determine what size crate you need?

The Size of Your Dog is obviously the primary consideration. The correct size dog crate should allow your dog to lie down, and turn around. A good rule of thumb is that your dog should have about three to four inches of head room when he's sitting or standing.

One good way to determine crate size is to measure your dog from floor to shoulder and add about 3 or 4 inches. This will give you a good estimate of how tall the crate should be. The width of the ideal crate can be found quite easily. Just measure the length of your dog from his head to his tail base and add three inches. Of course you may want to consider a larger crate if the fit is questionable. It is not uncommon for a dog to outgrow her crate. On the other hand if you choose a crate that is too large for your dog they may develop the habit of eliminating inside of it without letting you know they need to go outside.

Portability: If you intend to travel with your dog the crate should be able to fit into your SUV or the back seat of your car without difficulty. A padded washable support pad will keep your pet comfortable if you plan on traveling together.

Multiple Points of Entry: Zippered doors and meshes are a big plus in soft sided crates and many of them come with more than one door. A front door with a side door comes in handy. Some crates have three doors; a front, a side, and even a top zipper door. This makes it much easier to release your pet in a crowded space.

Metal or wire crates serve a good purpose but nothing excels in convenience like soft sided dog crates. Even plastic crates tend to be awkward to move when compared to them. The fabric-on-frame design of a soft crate makes them light, easy to lift, and easy to break down for storage or transport.

Metal or plastic kennels can be difficult to clean where as many soft crates can be easily disassembled and cleaned inside out with a hose or even in the washer.

Soft crates come in a great variety of styles, colors. They are available with accessories like interior leash attachments, storage pockets, and removable trays and pads.

A soft dog crate offers a lot of advantages that can be found in no other style of kennel. They fill a need for pet owners that nothing else can match.

You can learn more about soft sided dog crates at http://www.softdogcrates.info