A good dog crate is valuable for both you and your canine. As we all know, dogs are pack animals. They still maintain that natural longing to live in a den. If established correctly early on, a dog crate can provide that sense of security a natural den would. It becomes a refuge for your dog where it can escape whenever it needs to get away or just desires some peace and quiet.

Before purchasing a dog crate, it's a smart idea to learn about the differences between the different canine containment systems. With the right information, purchasing a dog crate can be an easy process. Here are a few of the more common dog crates sold:

Wire Dog Crates - They are the most commonly used crate for training, housing breaking or as an everyday "home" for your pup. Wired crates are sometimes sold with divider panels for puppies that are still growing into their crate. They are used to hold your dog while traveling and are come in either collapsible or folding models.

Soft Dog Crates - There lightweight and portable crates are easy to set up and take down. They are often used as everyday crates but they do not work very well for dogs who are diggers, chewers, aggressive dogs or dogs that suffer from anxiety when crated.

Hard Plastic Pet Carriers - Hard plastic pet carriers are used to carry and transport your dogs, but some styles are used as an everyday crate. Most hard plastic carriers are approved for airline travel. They are generally not recommended for growing puppies since they are not equipped with divider panels.

Soft Pet Carrier Bags - Ideal for dogs weighing less than 25lbs. Soft pet carriers are made to transport a small dog safely and is normally used to hold your pet while traveling in a vehicle. Soft pet carriers shouldn't be used as an everyday dog crate.

Remember that wire dog crates are designed to safely contain your dog. They are not designed, however, to be picked up and moved when your dog is inside it. While available in soft-side models, soft crates are typically not referred to as kennels. When traveling, hard plastic carriers work best as they are designed to safely transport your pet. Often, these types of pet carriers are sold in soft-side models too. While, a hard plastic pet carrier can be a good dog crate, a dog crate is not an adequate substitute for a hard pet carrier.