If your bed was placed in the center of the busiest room in your home, with people coming through and making all sorts of noise, it would probably be pretty tough to settle down. The same rule applies to your dog and where you place their crate. Where to put a dog crate is an important question to answer, and according to the Animal Health Foundation, your dog’s crate should always feel safe, secure, and comfortable.
Where Not To Place Your Dog’s Crate
Before digging into where to put a dog crate, it pays to first learn what areas of the home should be your last choice. A few spots where you should not consider placing your dog’s crate are:
- The living room – If your living room tends to be a calm, quiet, and less frequented space, this rule may not apply. Generally speaking, however, the living room may be an area you’ll want to skip when finding the perfect space for your dog’s crate. Crate time is settle down time, and it will be difficult for your dog to settle down if they hear movement, talking, and commotion around them.
- Garage space – Your dog wants to be part of your family, and they’ll feel like part of your family when their crate is surrounded by your scent and your presence. Dogs kept in crates in temperature-controlled garages or other spaces not part of the “main house” may be more apt to experience separation anxiety and may find it challenging to feel comforted and safe.
- Hallways – If your hallways are wide enough to accommodate a dog crate, this might be a tempting space. It’s out of the way, it gives your dog their own space, and it’s surrounded by familiarity and comforting scents. However, you’ll also need to consider the foot traffic, noise, and exposure in that hallway space. If a family member is walking down that hallway in the dark, will they be at risk of bumping into the dog crate? Will your dog be disturbed from rest if someone uses the hallway to make their way to the bathroom at night?
- Near cables or outlets – Dogs are curious creatures by nature, and even a dog with no previous history of chewing might get a little too interested in something they shouldn’t have one day. For this reason, it’s best to make sure your dog’s crate is far away from electrical outlets or cables they could grow curious about.
- Near windows – Your dog isn’t going to appreciate the view quite like you do, and that’s okay. Placing their crate near a window might leave them feeling chilly due to a fall or winter draft, it could expose them to excess noise they may find discomforting, and the exposure to outdoor smells might make it difficult for them to settle in.
- Near houseplants – Houseplants beautify any home, but that doesn’t mean they get along with your dog. Many houseplants are toxic to your dog, leading to oral injuries, stomach upset, or even potentially fatal emergencies. When placing your dog’s crate, make sure it’s kept far away from any plants you may have around your home.
Great Spaces In Your Home For Your Dog’s Crate
Knowing where not to place your dog’s crate, you’re better equipped to find the perfect crate space. A few great spaces for your dog’s crate according to Woof & Beyond are:
- In a cozy living room corner – If your living room has any cozy little corners, tucked away from the hustle and bustle of your main living space, away from plants, away from cables and outlets, and well-sized for your dog’s crate, this could be the perfect location. It keeps your dog in a familiar space surrounded by their favorite scents, making it easier for you during crate training, and easier for them when it comes time to settle down.
- In your bedroom – For some, bedtime really is a family activity. Your dog will feel safe and secure being in your space, knowing that you’re there sleeping just some feet away. During the early months of crate training and with puppies who may need to relieve themselves during the night, the bedroom is the best space in the house as it’ll be easiest for them to wake you should they need to go outside.
- In a spare bedroom – A spare bedroom might be an ideal space for crate trained dogs who like to have their own space, but also want to be surrounded by familiarity. A guest bedroom, office, or other spare room space will be set apart from the rest of the home, but it’ll be an active enough space that they’re comfortable spending time in it.
Consider Your Dog Before Choosing Their Crate Space
Every dog is different, and according to Paw Tracks, the best space for a dog crate will really depend on your dog and their specific needs. While a busier space in the home might be a real issue for a dog who needs quiet calm, a social and confident dog may be completely content surrounded by the hustle and bustle during crate time.
For dogs who tend to show signs of separation anxiety, it’s important to consider how quiet and comforting their environment is. It should be a space that’s close to you or your scent, and it should be a space that naturally exudes calming energies. For these dogs, your bedroom or a quiet corner in the living room might be the most successful.
For dogs who tend to be noisy or easily distracted when left alone, you’ll also need to consider these needs. It’s particularly important that these dogs are kept away from windows and in more insulated areas of the home to ensure outside stimuli isn’t too distracting to their comfort. Parents to these dogs should consider spare rooms, bedrooms, or other spaces away from noisy windows and doors.
Calm and confident dogs who can handle just about anything give you the most options when it comes to where to place their crate. While you may think you can place these dogs’ crates anywhere, it’s still important to remember to keep them away from hazardous items like plants or cables, and away from drafty windows where. Any dog can spark a bit of curiosity while in the crate, and it only takes one incident for a serious emergency to occur.
Making Your Crate Cozy
A cozy crate space is just half the battle; you’ll also need to consider the crate itself. First and foremost, choose a high-quality dog crate that’s perfectly sized for your pup. A sturdy aluminum dog crate that’s crash tested and escape proof is the perfect fit for any dog, and after choosing the best model you’ll only need to take a couple simple measurements to ensure you have the best size.
Before selecting your size, first measure your dog from nose to tail. Have your dog stand on all fours, and use a soft tape measurer to measure from the tip of their nose all the way to the tip of their tail. Once you have this measurement, add 3 to 4 inches to find your ideal crate length.
Once you have your length measurement, it’s time to take your height measurement. To find this, have your dog stand up straight, and measure from the base of their paws to the top of their head. When you have this number, add 3 to 4 inches and you have your ideal height measurement.
You may not find a crate with a perfect length and height match to your dog’s measurements, and that’s okay. Pet parents can select a crate size that’s as close as possible to these measurements, opting for a larger crate over a smaller one. As long as your dog can walk into their crate, turn around, and lie down comfortably, you’ve selected an appropriate size.
Now that you have your perfect crate, you can invest in a few great accessories to create an even more comfortable space inside. A durable crate pad can really help your dog to get cozy during crate time. Rather than sleeping on a hard and sometimes cold crate floor, they’ll have a bit of cushion to make their crate extra comfortable. For older dogs, or dogs with soreness, a crate pad can mean the difference between great rest and tossing and turning.
Many people like to sleep with a fan on, and finding comfort in this airflow isn’t reserved for humans alone. A crate fan can help to keep air circulating for your dog whether they’re in their crate space at home or on a trip. These fans adhere to the outside of the crate, so they don’t take up any interior space, and they ensure your dog will stay cool and comfortable during crate time.
Some dogs may also appreciate a simple crate toy. Durable, safe, and interesting toys made from materials like sturdy rubber can give your dog something to do, something to chew, and something to help to ease them through any anxieties or restlessness they may feel. When giving these toys, it’s crucial to make sure the material is chew-proof and there are no loose or small pieces that may serve as a choking or obstruction hazard.
Whether you’re crate training a puppy, or your dog has learned to love their own little den years ago, knowing where to put a dog crate in your home is important. With the right placement, your dog will love having their own special space reserved just for them in the home.