Choosing an appropriate crate for your furry friend is essential. My dogs have their own indoor crates and I also got them separate travel crates—they also differ in sizes. Dogs will spend a lot of time in crates when you are gone and may even use it as a safe space of solitude when they feel overwhelmed. Choosing a crate based on size, openness, and comfort will help make your doggie’s safe space one that is cozy, secure, and just right for your needs. Once you choose the best dog crate, knowing how to assemble it properly is the next step. By carefully following the manufacturer’s assembly instructions, you can avoid mishaps and frustration. Here’s a simple guide from me.
There are four general types of dog crate to choose from, with varying levels of security, flexibility, and transportability. Decide on which factors you need for your pup to help you pick the best crate for the job. If you are planning to travel, a plastic crate or fabric crate will be the best choice. For a portable but secure option, choose the versatile wire crate. Metal crates easily fold up to fit into any space but also provide a secure containment virtually anywhere. For a sleek addition to your home, opt for the wooden crates. These permanent crates are designed to fit into the backdrop of your home along with other furniture pieces. For more information, check out our guide to choosing the best crate.
Wire crates are easily foldable, which makes them transportable. The openings between wiring offer your pet optimal viewing to feel included in seeing what is going on around the house even while they are crated. This helps reduce anxiety and stress from separation. For added privacy, you can throw a blanket over the crate at nighttime. Their portability makes them an excellent choice for road trips or traveling by car, however, they are not approved for airplane travel.
Wooden crates are the sturdiest type of crate; once assembled, these crates are permanent structures that are not portable. They are designed to blend in with existing furniture in your home for an aesthetically pleasing style.
Fabric Crates are soft-sided crates that make a great temporary crate for traveling. They are easily foldable and lightweight for easy transport. These crates have the most effortless assembly style, as they generally pop up, with built-in zippers. They are great for trained dogs; however, dogs can easily escape from them, so it is not ideal if you are looking for a crate that will help a puppy or dog in training or furry escape artists. Fabric crates should not be used when your dog is left alone since they do not assure secure containment.
Plastic crates are another excellent choice for travel. They are airplane-approved and provide a high level of security for dogs [1]. They limit your pet’s sightline, which can make them feel isolated. These may not be ideal for highly anxious pets that are prone to stress. They make a great crate for training due to their secure design and warm, dry area that can provide a calming hideaway for your dog to relax.
Wooden, Metal, and Plastic Crates will require some assembly. Each manufacturer will provide a detailed manual for crate assembly. It is important to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines to maximize the security of your dog’s crate as intended.
Place a protective sheet or towel on the ground in the area where you will assemble the folded crate. This will protect the finish on your crate from scratches and dings.
Be sure you have all of the parts for assembly. Lay out your back panel, front panel, two side panels, the crate top, and the crate bottom, along with all hardware. Generally, this is both machine screws and wooden screws. Lay out the appropriate tools requested in the manual, generally an Allen wrench or a Phillips head screwdriver.
Place the rear panel onto the table with the grooves facing up. Place the crate bottom dowels into the holes of the rear panel. Secure the panel with screws as directed.
Place the left side panel onto the dowel pins and secure it to the rear panel with designated screws.
Place the right-side panel onto the dowel pins and secure it to the rear panel with designated screws.
Place the front panel onto the dowel pins of each side panel and fasten with designated screws. Be sure not to overtighten, as this can fracture the wood.
Place a protective sheet or towel on the ground in the area where you will assemble the crate. This will protect your floors from scratches and dings.
Be sure you have all of the parts for assembly. This will generally include the front door panel, a floor panel and floor pan, two side panels, and a front and back panel. There is no hardware required for building a metal dog crate. The hooks are built onto the panels. There may be corner rods to attach through the hooks and loops of each panel, and you’ll want to be sure these are facing the correct direction as you assemble.
Place the parts flat on the floor, and assure that the hooks are extending upward. These will attach onto the side panels in the next step. Locate the pan locking latch on one end of the floor panel and make sure this is facing toward the front; this will become your point of reference for assembly.
Find the side panel without the door and place it next to the floor pan on the floor along the left side of the floor panel. The loops should be facing upward-pointing toward the top of the crate; look for closely spaced horizontal wires; these should be aimed closest to the floor panel, as these will contain your dog from climbing through any spacing. Next, place the panel hooks between the second and third wires and inside the first vertical wires located on the side panel.
Gently lift the side panel, and slide the hooks into place, making sure the floor panel hooks latch onto the second wire. Continue lifting the side panel until it is completely vertical to the floor panel.
Place the back panel along the back of the floor pan and next to the vertical standing side panel. Attach the back panel using the loops along with the back and side panel, aligning the uppermost loops and fasten securely. Insert the corner rod through all of the intersecting loops along with the back panel
Locate the front panel with the door and attach it to the front of the crate. Be sure to arrange the front panel so the door lock faces out and down and the hooks are facing inward.
Place the hooks over the first wire of the top panel and be sure the loops at the corner of the front panel are pushed up against the corners of the top panel. Run a corner rod through the intersecting loops of the top and front panel until the loops are tightly together.
Insert the floor pan or plastic tray through the insert at the front panel of the crate underneath the door. Secure the pan with the pan locking latch until it does not move freely.
Metal wire crates are designed with a front and rear panel as well as a top and bottom panel, which are attached using a series of hooks fastened along the edges of each panel; to disassemble, unlatch each of the hooks and fold the front and rear panels inward. Then fold in the side panels on top of the floor pan.
Yes, assembling a metal or wooden crate will not take much time. A wooden dog crate can generally be assembled in 20 to 30 minutes, while a metal wire crate will take less than 15 minutes. You can assemble the crates on your own, but it is easier if you have at least one other person to help assemble.
Dog crates are generally assembled by connecting a series of panels to the floor of the crate using hooks and latches to connect each piece and secure the crate. Metal wire crates have a floor pan inserted underneath the floor panel, while wooden crates have a wooden floor panel attached with screws.
Assemble all of the side panels in alignment with the front and rear panels. All of the corners will feature a series of intersecting loops. Run the pin or corner rod through the loops to fasten the panels together and secure them.
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