Learning how to build a dog crate is something every dog owner should know about. It is very important that you know how to properly care for your pet so they will be happy and safe in their crate when you are away from them. When they have been properly secured, you will find that they are very loyal to you and will always want to go with you when you go out.
The proper way of caring for your dog crate should start before you decide to build one. You will need to figure out what kind of material you want to use for the crate. This decision will be determined by the size of the dog crate. Most people tend to use wood or metal for their dog crate choices.
When choosing the material you will use for your crate, you will want to decide if you want a square or rectangular shape. There are both square and rectangular crates available on the market. Once you have decided on the shape, you can decide on the material that you want. Plastic is one of the cheapest materials you can use but it can rust easily and get dented. Wood is another option you have and it tends to last longer than plastic.
Now that you know what the shape and material are going to be, you can move on to learning how to build a dog crate. You should start by laying out where the crate will go on your property. You may also want to mark where the door is located on your property. This will make it easier for you to access the crate when you are cleaning it.
If you do not already know how large your dog crate is going to be, then you need to take measurements of your dog’s head, chest and hind quarters. These will give you an idea of how deep and wide the crate should be. The width should be at least three feet, which should be ample for most dogs. Some people like to take measurements of their dogs when they bring them home from the shelter so they can build a crate exactly the size before bringing them home. Just measure from shoulder to hip and double the amount.
The next step in learning how to build a dog crate is to figure out the side doors and the windows of the crate. Most crates will have a door on one side and a window on the opposite side. You need to decide whether you want a front door or a back door. Some dogs like to kick their sides and enter and some don’t mind the view.
After you have decided on the side doors and windows, you can decide where to build the crate. It is good to place it somewhere that your dog is able to see out of but not get his or her nose stuck between the bars of the crate. Placing it near a window is okay if your dog likes to look outside at the scenery or sometimes even the people walking by. If your dog likes to sleep in the crate, place it near a bedroom table or dresser so he or she can look out and not be stuck in a dark, dreary room.
If you can put aside two hours a week, you can learn how to build a dog crate. There are plenty of ways to go about this and a crate can be a great thing for both you and your dog. A crate can really help with house training and it is fun for both of you.