Dog crates come in many sizes and shapes nowadays. They are becoming widely popular for housebreaking your pet. It is never a good idea to give your canine free roam of the house, especially when you are away. Just ask my 2 year old Lab, Heather. When she was a puppy, I was so confident in how we had trained her I left her at home alone with our 11 year old dog for a day. We had to buy a new couch after that. The old one was scattered all over the house. A lesson well learned. Learn from my mistakes. I have, and now she is one of the best dogs I have ever had.

That's one of my many great dog stories. Now, let's consider some things that a crate will offer. If you have read any of my articles or blog posts, you probably know that I have a few out there related to this. One thing I haven't really given any detail to up to this point is the benefits of folding dog crates. Crates that are of a folding design really offer a lot of benefits to you, the pet owner. If you need extra room, or like to take it with you, then a folding design is a good idea. A couple of different styles of crates that do come in a folding style are wire dog crates, and soft dog crates. I have not heard of any plastic folding crates, but it is a definite possibility. If they don't exist yet, they probably will soon. Plastic crates do have other advantages that wire and soft models do not, such as being airline approved.

Putting the folding crates up or down can be done very easily with both the wire and the soft sided designs. Storage is easy. When flat, they fit under the bed, in the closet, and almost anywhere. They are very nice for packing in the car if needed at your destination. Folding soft dog crates remind me of tents, and I love taking them camping with my dogs. They are definitely for an untrained dog. Remember, no matter how tough, they are fabric. A well trained pet will get along and do just fine in the soft crate.

Also, to clarify traveling in the car, for the actual car ride, I recommend your pet be inside a plastic dog crate. Don't ever put your dog in the back of the truck unless in a crate that' secured! After arriving wherever you are going, then a folding dog crate is great.

The folding wire dog crate is my favorite option for a home inside your home. It offers a sturdy home for your pet, and plenty of air. On the market are many fancy crate covers, furniture tables, and bumper sets that add to its eye appeal. The benefits are many, and there are many great products by many different manufacturers out there. Evaluating your options is a very good idea. It will help you decide if one is the best bet for you and your pet.