There are times in every dog's life when he/she will need to be confined. This confinement may be a fence, doorway gate, crate, x pen or even a car divider. All of these serve as valuable and necessary tools in keeping your puppy or adult dog safe and sound. Companies are continually designing new styles and uses for all of these products.
Crates
Crates now come in a variety of sizes and styles. Commonly made in plastic, fabric or wire, some are now even made of wicker or wood that blend with other furniture in your home. Crates are sometimes referred to as cages by some, a connotation that devalues their importance and creates a feeling among some dog people that they are used as a punishment. Crates are no more a punisher than a crib or playpen is to a young child. Certainly leaving a child in a crib or playpen for hours and hours on end would be unacceptable. Try caring for a young child without these confinements! Here is an explanation of the various crates on the market and their uses.
- Soft Crates - made of various sturdy fabrics with zippers and plastic rod supports, they are easy to breakdown and are great for quick confinement and easy storage. These crates come in many sizes, and are light and easy to take on quick trips, visits to friends, hotel stays and dog shows.
- Cargo Crates - made of strong plastic and can be taken apart easily for storage, but will require space. These do have a few small windows and are considered safe for travel by car or in the cargo section of airplane.
- Wire Crates - made of black, white or gold wire. They come in 2 styles, both are collapsible. One requires removal of 4 corner rods and the other is simple to disconnect and folds onto itself. Companies have added extra door openings so that you can choose a top opening or any of the 4 sides may come with a door. This is great for fitting into a particular room or for car travel allowing the door to face the best direction for entering and exiting the crate.
- Designer Crates - These are the latest version of a dog crate designed to match your interior and can be very attractive pieces of furniture. These are mostly found online.
X Pens
Exercise pens are also referred to as X- pens They are used the same way playpens are used for young children. They serve as a safe containment while your dog or puppy is indoors or outdoors when you'd like him off a leash. They fold up and transport easily and can go along in the car or store in a closet. You can buy more than one and connect them to create a pretty large area for your dog. They are very helpful in kitchens where puppies need to be contained and they are great for using as a "toilet area" when puppies are outside. The dog versions are sold in assorted materials and heights, usually 2-3' tall, some are even taller and even have walk through gates. They also come in mesh or with attachable tops. Others are actually child playpens and come in heavy plastic as well as mesh.
Doorway Gates
Doorway gates block hallways and doorways using pressure or screws. They are ideal in keeping dogs from entering or leaving certain rooms. Some are low enough to step over, while others are up to 4 ft high. Some have a pass-through gate, within the gate, that allows you to walk through and latch it behind you, while leaving the gate in place. They come in a variety of colors and configurations that complement your room style and are usually made of wood or metal. Some are made specifically with dogs in mind and others are for children but work perfectly well with dogs.
Car Dividers
Car dividers attach to the inside of your car and are setup to prevent your dog from being able to jump into areas where drivers or passengers are sitting. Typically they block the dog from being able to jump over the back seats of SUVs and instead they remain in the rear area. They come in both metal and mesh material.
Carry Bags
With the popularity of toy breeds and the convenience of bringing small dogs everywhere, there have been many companies that manufacture carry bags to accommodate them. The bags are durable, with various styles, colors and features. They can also serve as a portable soft crate when you travel. These bags can be carried onto trains and planes. Dogs that are carried in such bags are often, but NOT ALWAYS welcome in shopping malls and restaurants since they are no bother to anyone and don't come out of their bags. Be aware that airlines are strict about the type used on board a flight and that only certain manufacturers of carry bags meet the airline requirements.
Strollers
Yes, there are now many companies who design light weight strollers for small dogs and puppies. The advantage is that you may now travel on long walks and perhaps into malls or inside restaurants with your dog ! What can I say???
Dog Runs
A dog run refers to an outdoor chain link fence containment of various heights that include a gate and a pebbled or concrete floor. These runs can be of any size and can attach to homes with doggie doors as well, which allows pets to come in and out at will. They can be covered with roofing for shade, or protection from weather and from intruders. Dog runs can be individually designed and installed by fence companies or bought in premade sizes online.
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