The 10 Best Dog Crates for Training and Other Tasks – Top Dog Tips

Finding the perfect crate for your dog may be a more difficult process than you’re anticipating. It’s not just about finding the right size and type of crate for your Fido, it’s also about finding a crate that fits into your budget and is versatile enough to meet your needs.

In this list of the best dog crates for training, we’ve ranked the best crates for large breeds, small breeds, durability and the best dog crates for traveling with your pooch.

There may be more dog crate options available than you realize. You’ll be able to choose from soft crates, wooden models, wire crates and plastic options.

There are crates that are designed specifically for travel, foldable crates, dog crates that look like furniture and even crates that are built for escape artist pets.

You’ll need to think about the type of dog crate that will best meet your needs and the needs of your canine companion.

Before continuing your reading and picking the perfect crate for your dog, ask yourself some questions that will make this job a little easier:

• How are you going to use your pet crate?
• What specifically do you and your pup need it for?
• Are you going to travel with the crate?
• What is your dog’s temperament?
• Do you want the crate to fit your home’s décor?
• How much are you able to spend on the crate?
• Will you be moving the crate around your home frequently or putting it away when it’s not needed?

These things will all play a big part in picking the best dog crate for training or sleeping.

For example, if your canine companion likes to chew and is a strong chewer, a soft-sided dog crate won’t be a good fit for him.

Likewise, if you’re hoping to use the pet crate when you travel, a heavy wooden dog crate won’t be a smart choice.

In order to measure your dog properly for a crate, you’ll need measure his height from the floor to the highest point of his head and his length from the tip of his nose to the base of his tail.

Add 2″ to each of these measurements and then find a crate that is at least those dimensions.

The following are five of my favorite and highest rated dog crates, which I review down below:

The Importance of Proper Crate Training

Whether you’re adopting an adult dog or a puppy, you should make a crate training plan before brining your new pet home. Crate training gives your dog a safe place to spend time on his own.

It’s important to get your dog used to spending time alone, and it’s also important that he have a safe place to go when he wants to get away from the hustle and bustle of daily life.

Crate training is quite possible the only way to ensure that your pet will be safe when you’re away from home – at least until he is 100% house trained.

A crate provides him with a safe space and stimulation, and it gives you peace of mind that he isn’t chasing the cats or eating your cushions.

Many pet owners are mistaken when thinking that crate training dogs will be an easy task. You cannot simply put your pup into his dog crate and expect him to adapt.

One study with beagles has shown how canines in fact enjoy human designed dog crates, but they need to be introduced to staying in a pet crate very gradually.

Choosing the right dog crate is only the beginning. You need to train your dog to get used to the crate gradually. Allow him plenty of time to sniff the crate is climb inside without closing the door behind him.

You can even feed him his meals inside the crate to get him used to spending a few minutes at a time in there.

The crate needs to be a safe place for your dog.

If you use crate time as punishment for naughty behavior, your dog will begin to have negative feelings of stress and anxiety when entering the crate.

Make the crate a positive place to be by adding blankets or bedding to make it extra comfortable.

Gradually extend the length of time that your dog spends in his crate. Begin with just a few minutes at a time and work your way up until your dog is spending 10-15 minutes in the crate alone.

Continue this gradual transition until Fido can spend a few hours in the crate while you’re away from home.

How to Pick the Best Dog Crate for Training

The market is flooded with options for pet owners to choose from. Plastic or metal crates, mobile travel crates on wheels or stationary, soft crates and folding ones, and kennels that double as a piece of furniture to fit within your home décor.

With so many different supposedly best dog crates for training available, it can be nearly impossible to pick what’s right.

You’ll need to consider your dog’s size and personality.

You have to decide on how this crate will be used, and where you plan to keep it most of the time.

Thus, before you go shopping for the best dog crates, here are some questions that you can ask yourself to make the task easier and ensure you choose an option that will be safe for your canine companion.

The answers to the questions listed above will lead you to finding the best dog crate for your specific needs.

For example, if your pet is an escape artist and enjoys chewing on your belongings, you will likely need a metal dog crate that is specifically designed for durability and strength.

On the other hand, a soft sided dog crate that’s foldable will be a much better choice for a calmer small breed that travels with you a lot.

Similarly, the biggest advantage of the more expensive wooden dog crates is that they look much better in your home, and can double as a piece of furniture.

Once you’ve decided on the type of crate this is best for your situation, take a look at one of the 10 best dog crates for training below.

Top 10 Best Dog Crates for Training and Sleeping

1Midwest iCrate Folding Metal Dog Crate
The overall best choice

Midwest is the most popular manufacturer of metal dog crates. The Midwest iCrate Folding Metal Dog Crate is available in a variety of sizes.

Each size is available in single- and double-door options, and they all come with a divider that allows you to adjust the size of the crate as your pup grows.

These crates feature a collapsible design and are less than 4 inches high when folded flat. They also feature slide-bolt latches that are very secure.

You have to slide the latch through the bolt and then you can fold the latch down so the handle is flat against the side of the crate.

This makes it nearly impossible for your dog to get the latches open on his own.

Available dog crate sizes are:

• 18″ crate – 18″L X 12″W X 14″H
• 22″ crate – 22″L X 13″W X 16″H
• 24″ crate – 24″L X 18″W X 19″H (this is the size featured in my review)
• 30″ crate – 30″L X 19″W X 21″H
• 36″ crate – 36″L X 23″W X 25″H
• 42″ crate – 42″L X 28″W X 30″H
• 48″ crate – 48″L X 30″W X 33″H

Now, while we wouldn’t recommend the Midwest iCrate Folding Metal Dog Crate for destructive dogs or escape artists, it is a great choice for pretty much any other canine.

You can put a bed or blankets in the bottom to make it a bit more comfortable, as the hard plastic bottom won’t be very comfy for your pooch to sleep on.

The corners of the crate are rounded, and the segments are welded together with smooth welds.

There is nothing that your dog could scratch himself on, unless he is extremely destructive and manages to break the welds or snap the wires.

The Midwest iCrate Folding Metal Dog Crate also has rubber ‘roller’ feet underneath.

This prevents the metal from scratching your floors. It is also equipped with a handle for easy carrying and a lock that prevents it from unfolding while you’re carrying it.

One thing to mention is the weight of this crate. The small 24″ model only weighs 14-pounds, but the larger 48″ option weighs 43 pounds.

While the smaller models will be easy to take along while traveling, it may be more difficult for some pet owners to carry around the larger models.

One of the reasons these best dog crates for training are at the top of our list is because they are a great choice for puppies. Just do a bit of research about the average full-grown size of your dogs’ breed and purchase a crate accordingly.

You can use the included divider to make the crate smaller for your puppy, and then adjust the divider as Fido grows.

Plus, it comes with a leak-proof plastic pan for easy cleaning in case your puppy has an accident. The pan easily slides out through the bottom of the crate for easy cleaning.

This dog crate is an excellent value for the money! Obviously the price depends on the size of the crate you need and whether you choose the one- or two-door option.

The Midwest iCrate Folding Metal Dog Crate varies in price from $15.99 to $77.99 on Amazon, which is a great price for a dog crate of this style.

Many brands are more expensive than this, and some similar crates are made with thinner wire and have larger spaces between the wire.

This makes the crate less sturdy, but they still sell for a similar or more expensive price.

For a closer look and its buying guide, check out my extensive review here or watch the video below.

 

2Ruff Tough Kennels Intermediate Single Door Kennel
Best dog crate for escape artists

These crates are molded out of thick, extra-durable plastic (UV stabilized polyethylene, to be exact).

This means they boast a one piece construction that would be extremely difficult for your dog to break. They are also made in the U.S.A.

At this time AMAZON does not have this dog crate, so we have provided a link to Orvis.com HERE.

The Ruff Tough Kennels Intermediate Single Door Kennel is only available in one size.

The outer dimensions are 30.5″L x 21.5″W x 22.5″H, and the interior dimensions are 30″L x 19.5″W x 22″H. This is absolutely the most durable plastic dog kennel that we’ve ever used!

However, the thicker plastic and one-piece construction also make the kennel heavier than other crates the same size. It weighs about 25 pounds.

These best dog crates for training are stackable and have been impact tested to ensure your dog is safe in the event of an accident.

The hard plastic is easy to clean, but if your puppy or adult dog is prone to accidents you may want to find a crate with a removable pan underneath (like the Midwest iCrate above).

You can wipe Ruff Tough Kennels out with a damp cloth or clean them with bleach water to sanitize the kennel if your dog has an accident.

The Ruff Tough Kennels Intermediate Single Door Kennel is available in 5 colors:

• white speckled
• rockstone (tan)
• orange speckled
• lime green speckled
• pink speckled

In the photo on the left you can see the vent hole pattern that runs down both sides of the kennel. The holes are 1 3/8″ in diameter.

If you think your rambunctious dog will try to put his paws through these holes, we would recommend a different kennel. You don’t want Fido to get his paw stuck and hurt himself.

One of the best features of this crate is the fact that the door can open to the left or the right.

There are squeezable latches on either side of the door that allow you to open it whichever way is most suitable for the situation and location of the kennel.

Ruff Tough Kennels are little more expensive than other plastic dog crates, but that’s expected because of the superior quality and design.

You can purchase the Intermediate Single Door Kennel on Amazon right now for $316.91.

However, you can also buy them on the company’s website for a cheaper price.

For more information, take a look at my detailed product review or watch the below video.

 

3EliteField 3-Door Soft Dog Crate
Best soft dog crate

As the name suggests, this crate has 3 doors. Mesh panels unzip on the top, side and front of the crate to allow easy access to your pet no matter what position the crate is.

There are also fabric panels that fold down over the mesh to give your dog some peace and quiet if he gets overstimulated or needs to rest.

If you compare the size of these crates with others of the same length, you will see that they are about 2″ taller and wider than the others.

We all know that dogs aren’t built the same.

While most manufacturers build crates for the “average” size dog, what about dogs that are a little taller?

The EliteField Soft Dog Crate is available in 5 sizes:

• 20″L x 14″W x 14″H
• 24″L x 18″W x 21″H
• 30″L x 21″W x 24″H
• 36″L x 24″W x 28″H
• 42″L x 28″W x 32″H

This dog crate from EliteField is also available in 13 colors: beige, black, gray, green, khaki, maroon, navy blue, royal blue, sage green, blue gray, brown & beige, navy blue & gray and red & beige.

One of the reasons that we included this on our list of the best dog crates for training is that it folds flat for easy transporting and storage.

The steel tube frame is extremely durable as well, which is a benefit over other similar crates that use a metal wire frames.

It also comes with a convenient carrying bag that makes it easy to take this crate with you in the car, on an airplane or anywhere else that you may need to bring it.

This crate is equipped with 2 small storage pockets, and one of them is detachable.

The cover is made of 600D fabric with hex mesh material for the windows. The cover is not attached to the steel tube frame, so you can remove it easily.

The EliteField Soft Dog Crate comes with a faux sherpa mat, and the cover, carrying bag and mat are all machine washable.

This is a soft sided crate. It goes without saying that it is only suitable for dogs that are 100% crate trained and comfortable being confined to a crate.

This is one of the best dog crates for training because it is more sturdy than other soft crates we’ve used, but that doesn’t mean that it is indestructible.

With its added durability also comes a steeper price tag.

Depending on the size that you need and the color that you choose, the price on Amazon will vary from $39.99 to $95.99. You can find cheaper quality soft crates for about half this cost.

However, we believe the EliteField Soft Dog Crate is a better value for the money spent.

For more details on these best dog crates, check out my detailed product review or watch the video below.

 

4New Age Pet ECOFLEX Dog Crate
Best end table dog crate

A furniture dog crate, like the New Age Pet ecoFLEX Dog Crate, allows you to keep your pup’s crate setup without giving up space in your living room.

Furniture crates come in lots of different styles and colors. They are made with lots of different types of materials, and this one is definitely unique.

Before we talk about the sizing options and colors available, you first need to know what exactly ecoFLEX is.

According to the company’s website, it’s a non-toxic, recycled, plastic-wood polymer composite material. This unique material does not split, warp or crack!

It’s also really easy to clean. You can just wipe it down with a damp cloth.

If your dog has an accident inside the crate, you could use bleach water to wipe the crate down and sanitize the area.

The crate is delivered in 6 pieces – the top, bottom and four sides. The sides are all molded to fit together by sliding into each other. The top and bottom are also molded to fit in perfectly.

Finally, there are pre-drilled holes for the large plastic screws that are included with the crate.

The heads of the screws are large enough to allow you to tighten them with your fingers – no tools necessary!

You’ll also notice the stainless steel bars used on the sides of the crate, and the stainless steel bars and latches on the door (pictured to the left).

Not only is stainless steel durable and rust resistant, it looks nice too.

Plus, it’s plenty durable if your dog does happen to paw or push on the bars.

Our favorite thing about the New Age Pet ecoFLEX Dog Crate?

How great it looks, of course! The crate in the photos has an Espresso finish, but it’s also available in Antique White, Grey and Russet (light brown).

These best dog crates for training are also available in 4 sizes:

Size	Exterior Dimensions			Interior Dimensions			Door
	L	W	H	L	W	H	W x H
Small	23.6″	18.1″	22″	20.9″	15″	17.9″	11″ x 16″
Medium	29.5″	21.1″	25.2″	26.8″	17.7″	20.9″	13.8″ x 19″
Large	35.4″	24″	28″	32.7″	20.9″	24″	16.7″ x 16.6″
Extra-Large	42.5″	27.6″	30.9″	39.8″	24.6″	29.1″	20″ x 25″

This crate is NOT chew-proof. Your dog should be crate trained before leaving him confined in the New Age Pet ecoFLEX Dog Crate.

Dogs that chew or scratch to get out will easily damage this crate.

Also, the latches are just simple hook latches that may open if your dog pulls/pushes on the door enough.

It does come with a 1-year manufacturer’s warranty, but if your dog does any damage to the crate the company will not give you your money back.

If you haven’t already thought of this, these dog crates are not suitable for traveling either. The large size weighs close to 50 pounds when assembled.

They don’t fold down for storage or travel purposes, and you’re certainly not going to want to lug this bulky crate around anywhere.

Basically, once you set it up in your home, that’s where it stays.

Depending on the size and color that you choose, you can purchase a New Age Pet ecoFLEX Dog Crate on Amazon right now for $78.99-$239.01.

For a dog crate of this quality and size, this is an excellent deal!

For a closer look and its buying guide, check out my extensive review here or watch the video below.

 

5Life Stages Double Door Folding Metal Dog Crate
Best for puppies

This crate is similar to the Midwest iCrate featured in the first spot on our list. It is made from steel wire with an electro-coat finish that is corrosion, rust and fade resistant.

For this reason, the OxGord Paws & Pals crate can be used indoors or outside.

These best dog crates for training also have an ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) plastic tray on the bottom that keeps any messes contained.

This tray slides out for easy cleaning.

Aside from the 20″ size, all Life Stages crates come with a divider to allow the crate to grow with your puppy. You can see how easy these dividers are to use in my video review above.

These dividers allow you to keep your puppy in a smaller area so he is less likely to have an accident while in his crate.

You can purchase this dog crate in 6 sizes:

• 20″L x 13″W x 16″H (single door only)
• 24″L x 17″W x 19″H
• 30″L x 18″W x 20″H
• 36″L x 22″W x 25″H
• 42″L x 27″W x 30″H
• 48″L x 27″W x 30″H

You’ll also notice the slide-bolt latches (pictured to the right) that keep the doors securely shut.

This design makes it extremely difficult for your dog to slide the latches out and open the door from the inside of this OxGord dog crate.

Some owners do not like metal wire crates because they believe they look too much like a cage.

They also worry that their dog may break one of the wires and injure himself.

If your dog is a Houdini that tries to escape from any enclosure, a metal crate like this may not be the best choice for him.

However, if your dog isn’t too rambunctious you won’t need to worry about him getting hurt in this crate.

The corners are rounded to prevent injury, and your dog would need to be extremely powerful to break the wire bars.

As the name suggests, the OxGord Paws & Pals Folding Metal Dog Crate folds flat for easy storage.

When folded flat, this crate is just 4″ high. This also makes it a great option if you plan to take the crate along while traveling.

It is also equipped with a lock that prevents the crate from unfolding while you’re carrying it and a convenient carrying handle.

Compared to other folding metal dog crates, this option is very affordable.

At the time of this review, you can purchase an OxGord Paws & Pals dog crate on Amazon for $16.80-$69.99 depending on the size that you need.

It is around the same price point as the Midwest iCrate, but the wires of this crate are just a bit thinner. This makes the OxGord crate a little less stable.

As you’ll see in my video review below, there is a bit of movement when you shake the crate back and forth.

This is the main reason that I would not recommend it for destructive dogs that try to escape enclosures.

For more information, take a look at my detailed product review or watch the below video.

Update: OxGord Paws & Pals no longer exists on Amazon so we have updated this Listing with the name above. It is a trusted brand with a similar design and the review video still applies.

 

6unipaws End Table Dog Crate

This is one of the best dog crates for training that is made of solid wood and medium-density fibreboard (an engineered wood product that is typically denser than plywood).

The material is durable, and it’s quite easy to clean. You can easily wipe down all parts of the crate to keep it sanitary for your pup.

One of the best features of the unipaws End Table Dog Crate is that it has two doors. The double door design makes the crate more versatile and makes it easier to get your pet to go inside.

You’ll also notice that the doors have wooden trim and metal grates.

Having the metal grates all the way around makes the crate seem very open and provides plenty of airflow.

Having a crate that offers so much visibility will make most dogs feel more comfortable.

The outside dimensions of the crate are 32″W x 23″D x 25.7″H, and the interior dimensions are 28.5″W x 19.5″D x 23.7″H.

Both doors also feature locking mechanisms that must be slid to the side and lifted. These locks are nearly impossible for a dog to open.

When you receive the unipaws End Table Dog Crate, it is NOT assembled. Unfortunately, it does require assembly, but it comes with very easy-to-follow instructions.

Another drawback to this dog crate is that it is currently only available in 1 size. It is recommended for dogs weighing 50 pounds or less, but you can see that my 70-pound Labrador fits it in quite comfortably.

This dog crate comes with a removable bed that measures 28″ x 19″.

It’s only about 1.5″ thick, but the faux-sherpa cover seems to be quite comfortable. Both of my dogs enjoy snuggling on the included bed, but you could always replace it with a more plush dog bed if you prefer.

Of course, the best thing about the unipaws End Table Dog Crate is the fact that it doubles as a piece of furniture.

This is one of the best dog crates for training because it is versatile, functional and looks great in your living room!

The maximum weight bearing of the top is 66 pounds, which is more than enough to hold a lamp and a few odds and ends.

The crate is available in Espresso (which is the one shown here) or white.

You can purchase it on Amazon for $379.99, which is quite a bit more expensive than the traditional plastic or metal crate.

However, this one doubles as an end table, which makes it well worth the price.

For a closer look and its buying guide, check out my extensive review here or watch the video below.

*PLEASE NOT THAT ALTHOUGH THE COLOR IS DIFFERENT ON THE AMAZON LISTING IT IS THE SAME PRODUCT

7Lucky Dog Uptown Welded Wire Kennel

This is one of the only crates on our list that is specifically designed for outdoor use.

These best dog crates for training are made of heavy-duty welded steel.

The steel bars and wire mesh of the Lucky Dog Uptown Kennel are welded before coating to prevent sharp edges that could harm your canine companion. It’s also rust and corrosion-resistant.

The Lucky Dog Uptown Welded Wire Kennel also comes with a steel roof frame and a heavy duty, waterproof cover.

This will protect your pet from weather and the beating sun while he’s outdoors for long periods of time.

It also works well to keep small amounts of snow and debris from falling into the crate. The cover is made with a UV protectant to prevent ripping, cracking, fading or peeling.

These kennels are available in 3 sizes:

• 6’H x 4’L x 4’W
• 6’H x 4’W x 8’L
• 4’4″H x 4’W x 4’W

The legs of this kennel are raised 1.5″, so it makes sweeping out debris or dog mess a cinch. You can also easily hose out any accidents to prevent odor and bacteria build up.

The Lucky Dog Uptown Kennel has pre-assembled modular panels that connect quickly using hand tightening clamps, so there are no tools required.

This outdoor dog kennel sells for $157.98-$309.99 on Amazon right now.

 

8Guardian Gear ProSelect Empire Dog Cage

If you’re looking for the best dog crates for training that can hold virtually any escape artist, the Guardian Gear ProSelect Empire Dog Cage is exactly what you need!

It is a steel cage made of 20-gauge steel and reinforced 0.5-inch diameter steel tubes.

The grated floor allows accidents to run through into the included plastic tray for easy cleaning.

This dog crate is available in 2 sizes. The Medium size has interior dimensions of 35.75″L x 23.5″W x 24.5″H.

The Large size has interior dimensions of 40¾”L x 28⅛”W x 31¾”H. It even comes with caster wheels for easy transportation.

These casters are removable for added stability if you’ll be leaving the crate in one place.

When you have a large breed, rambunctious dog or just happen to be the parent of a furry escape artist, the ProSelect Empire Dog Cage is sure to contain your pet. It’s great for pets that scratch or chew, and it provides 360˚ ventilation and visibility.

The added durability and stronger materials do come with a higher-than-average price tag.

At the time of publishing, the Medium size sells for $388.64 on Amazon, and the Large size is selling for $571.45.

 

9Advantek Pet Gazebo

Similar to the Lucky Dog Uptown Welded Wire Kennel above, this dog crate is made specifically for outdoor use. It has a circular shape and is available in 3-, 4-, 5- and 8-foot models.

It’s easy to set up, with no tools required. You could even bring this crate along while traveling or camping.

This dog crate latches securely and is equipped with a latching access window that allows you to reach in and pat your pooch anytime.

There is a weather-resistant polyurethane reversible cover included with the Advantek Pet Gazebo, and you can link multiple gazebos together to give your pup(s) a more safe space outdoors.

Shaped like an octagon, these pet gazebos have only one access door. The lock is spring-loaded as well, which makes it nearly impossible for your dog to get the door open on his own.

Depending on the size that you need, these best dog crates for training and outdoor use will cost you $117.49-$459.99.

 

10Haige Pet Heavy Duty Metal Pet Crate

Rounding out our Top 10 list of the best dog crates for training is this heavy duty metal crate.

It is made with heavy-duty steel wire and steel square tubes.

The latches are made of heavy-duty stainless steel to prevent escape.

The body of the kennel is preassembled, but there are a few small set up steps you’ll need to perform. It only takes about 10 minutes to set it up, but this dog crate is too heavy to bring along easily while traveling.

The Haige Pet Heavy Duty Metal Pet Crate is made with a high-grade hammertone finish, which is rust and chew resistant with non-toxic environmentally friendly paint.

This durable dog crate features 2 doors – one in the side (like a traditional dog kennel) and 1 on the top.

The top-loading door is a nice feature to have if your dog doesn’t like climbing into the cage on his own.

You’ll pay about $149.99 for this product on Amazon, which is quite a bit pricier than most traditional wire crates.

Just keep in mind the durability of the Haige Pet option.

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