Dog Crates: Types, Sizes and Crate Training
Wire, plastic, aluminum, wooden and soft dog crates - what each type is for, how to size a crate, how long a dog can stay in one and how to introduce it, following Humane World for Animals.
AI illustration For most dogs, a folding wire crate with a divider is the practical choice: it adjusts as a puppy grows and folds flat when you do not need it. A plastic kennel is the type used for flying in the hold, a riveted aluminum crate is for a dog that breaks out of wire, and a furniture-style or soft crate is for a calm dog that is already crate-trained. Whatever the type, size it so the dog can stand up and turn around.
The advice on sizing, time limits and training follows Humane World for Animals’ crate training guide.
Size first. Humane World’s rule is simple: the crate should be large enough for your dog to stand up and turn around in. For a growing puppy, choose a crate that will fit the adult dog and use a divider to make it smaller for now.
The Types of Crate
| Type | Good for | Not for |
|---|---|---|
| Folding wire | Puppies in training, most calm dogs, a home that needs it to fold away | A dog that has already broken out of wire |
| Folding mesh | The same jobs as wire, with a more finished look | Heavy chewers |
| Plastic kennel | Air travel, and dogs that settle better with solid walls | Folding flat; it is bulky |
| Riveted aluminum | A dog that defeats wire, with the cause being addressed too | A first crate for a calm dog |
| Wooden, furniture-style | A calm, crate-trained adult; doubles as a side table | Puppies and chewers; it does not fold |
| Soft-sided | Hotel rooms and tents, for a crate-trained dog that is supervised | Containing a dog that wants out |
Folding wire
The familiar folding crate: wire panels, a removable plastic pan, usually a divider in the box, and versions with one door or two - a second door makes it easier to place along a wall. It is the usual choice for a puppy, because the divider lets one crate grow with the dog.
Folding mesh
A newer take on the folding crate, with steel mesh instead of bars and often extra doors and wheels. Check the maker’s weight range for each size against your dog’s adult weight.
Plastic kennel for flying
If a dog is to fly in the hold, the crate has to satisfy the airline, and airline rules follow the IATA Live Animals Regulations. Ask your airline which kennel it accepts before you buy one - that is the step that matters. More on flying in Flying With Your Pet.
Riveted aluminum
A rigid box of aluminum panels with a heavy latch, sold for dogs that escape from wire. A stronger crate is not a treatment. A dog that injures itself trying to get out is in distress, and Humane World is plain that using a crate as a remedy for separation anxiety will not solve the problem. See your vet or a behavior professional before buying a tougher box.
Wooden and soft crates
Furniture-style wooden crates double as an end table. They suit an adult dog that is already calm in a crate; wood is not for a dog that chews, and they do not fold. Soft-sided crates are light and pack small for a hotel room or a tent. They are for a dog that is crate-trained and supervised - fabric will not contain a dog that wants out.
In the car, a crate is only a restraint if it has been crash-tested and is secured. The certified ones are listed in Dog Car Travel Safety.
Four Heavier-Duty Crates Compared
| Crate | Type | What the maker states | Sizes | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diggs Revol | Collapsible | Folds for storage, with built-in wheels and a carry handle; several access points, including a “garage-style” side door | Small, Intermediate, Large (see the maker’s chart) | See on Amazon · Maker’s page |
| Impact Stationary Dog Crate | Riveted aluminum | ”Home-ready aluminum crate”; made in the USA; lifetime warranty | 30” to 48” (48.5 x 27 x 33 in for the largest) | See on Amazon · Maker’s page |
| Impact Collapsible Dog Crate, Pro Series | Collapsible aluminum | Designed with military dog handlers; extra ventilation at the back, reinforced bar door, more drainage holes; folds flat | 30” to 40”+ | See on Amazon · Maker’s page |
| GUNNER G1 Kennel | Double-walled travel kennel | Double-walled; the maker states 5-star crash-test certification when used with its tie-down straps; made in America | Small, Medium, Intermediate, Large | See on Amazon · Maker’s page |
How we put this together. Four heavier-duty crates from three makers, for owners searching for a heavy-duty or extra-large crate, compared on what each maker states on its own product page, checked on 26 October 2026. We have not tested them. A stronger crate does not fix distress, as the aluminum section above explains. For crash-test claims in the car, check the testing body’s own list, as our car travel guide does. There are no prices here: the Amazon links search for the exact product, and we may earn a commission if you buy through them.
Crate, Playpen or Gate?
A crate is a den for rest and short absences. A playpen gives a puppy a larger safe area with room for a bed, water and toys, which suits longer spells when someone is at home. A gate closes off a room or the stairs and leaves the dog the run of the rest. Many homes use a crate inside a playpen for a young puppy, and gates later.
How Long in a Crate?
Humane World’s limits are shorter than many owners expect:
- Puppies under six months: not more than three or four hours at a time.
- Adult dogs: not more than four to five hours during the day.
A crate is a place to rest, not somewhere to spend the working day. If your day is longer than that, arrange a walker, a sitter, daycare or a dog-proofed room.
Introducing the Crate
Humane World’s steps, in outline:
- Introduce it. Put the crate where the family is, door open, and drop treats near it and then just inside.
- Feed meals in it. Door open at first; then close it while the dog eats, and leave it closed a few minutes longer each time, up to about ten minutes after the meal.
- Lengthen the time with you at home, building up to about 30 minutes.
- Then short absences, and nights, with the crate near you for a puppy that will need to go out.
Two rules run through all of it. Never use the crate as punishment - it creates exactly the fear you are trying to avoid. And if the dog whines, work out whether it needs to go out before deciding to ignore it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size crate does my puppy need?
One that will fit the adult dog, with a divider to make it smaller for now. The dog should be able to stand up and turn around.
Is crate training cruel?
Not when it is introduced gradually, kept within sensible time limits and never used as punishment. Used as a place to shut a dog away for the day, it is.
How long can a dog stay in a crate?
Humane World says three or four hours at a time for puppies under six months, and four to five hours during the day for adults.
Can an adult dog learn to use a crate?
Yes, by the same steps. Go at the dog’s pace.
My dog has separation anxiety. Will a crate help?
Humane World says a crate will not solve separation anxiety, and a panicking dog can hurt itself trying to escape. Talk to your vet or a behavior professional.
Is an airline kennel good for home use?
It works, though it is bulky and does not fold. Some dogs settle better with solid walls around them.
One crate per dog?
Yes. Each dog should have its own.
How do I clean a crate?
Take out the pan or tray and wash it; wipe wire, mesh or plastic with a mild detergent and dry it. Follow the maker’s instructions for wood and fabric.
Summing Up
Start from the dog and the use: a folding wire crate with a divider for training and everyday rest, a mesh folding crate if you want something better finished, a plastic kennel for flying (confirmed with the airline) and a rigid aluminum crate only for a dog that defeats the others, alongside help for whatever is driving the escape. Size it so the dog can stand and turn, keep the hours short, and never use it as punishment.
Related Reading
Last updated: October 2026.
