You may need to hide in another room or use a webcam to do so, as most dogs will wait until their owner is out of sight before breaking free. If possible, observe your dog’s escape attempts to see how he is getting out. Some of the best tips and tricks for fortifying your pup’s crate include: Slam latches, which engage automatically when the door is shut, are usually among the most effective in this regard.Įven the best crates fail to keep some dogs contained, and owners are often required to use a little ingenuity to make their crate truly escape-proof. Many dogs learn to outsmart simple barrel locks, so you’ll want to select a crate that uses latches that are more difficult for your dog to manipulate. The best crates rely on latches that are inaccessible to your dog. Poorly ventilated crates can become damp and stagnant very quickly, which can foster bacterial proliferation. No matter how hard it is to keep your dog inside his crate, you cannot compromise his well-being and comfort. Good crates never sacrifice ventilation for security. Removable pans make it easier to clean up spills or accidents, and wheels are often very handy, given the weight of most heavy-duty crates.
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By contrast, even the most gifted escape artists are unable to tunnel through solid walls.Ĭrates that feature a removable pan and wheels provide additional convenience, without compromising security. While there are a variety of durable crates made with tubular steel or metal wire walls, dogs occasionally manage to escape from these types of walls. Not all metals are completely dog-proof, but most are substantially better options than other materials.Ĭrates with solid (ventilated) walls are usually the most secure options. A flimsy sheet of plastic may discourage escape attempts by calm dogs, but those with severe separation anxiety will tear through plastic at mind-blowing speed. Heavy-duty crates should be built from metal. And while no crate is 100% effective, 100% of the time, with 100% of dogs, there are a number of features and characteristics that are usually associated with the most resilient kennels.
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However, not all crates marketed as “escape-proof” or “heavy-duty” live up to their name. If you’re faced with a dog that could break out of Fort Knox, you’ll eventually need to consider using a heavy-duty crate, designed specifically for these types of challenging pups. Don’t forget that your dog has nothing but time, energy and the drive to get out – don’t expect him to give up easily.įeatures You Want in a Heavy Duty, Escape-Proof Dog Crate They may incorporate a bit of mouth-work at times, but dogs will often just force their head between the metal bars (or any other perceived weakness) until they bend them enough to fit their body through.ĭogs may combine some of these techniques as necessary to achieve freedom, and some crates provide them with unique and specific opportunities to try. Many dogs, even relatively small ones, will simply use their muscles and mass to bend apart bars.
![proselect dog cage proselect dog cage](https://www.baxterboo.com/global/images/products/large/proselect-everlasting-dualdoor-folding-dog-crate-black-1.jpg)
#PROSELECT DOG CAGE HOW TO#
While the initial attempts to work a latch often look clumsy and random, dogs often learn how to work latches with remarkable speed after figuring it out and practicing a few times. If your dog is more brain surgeon than trap-jaw, he may simply futz with the latch mechanism until he figures out how to open the door. Many dogs will simply mangle these relatively flimsy pieces with their mouth, pull it off and burst through the resulting opening. Many standard wire dog crates use small metal connectors to keep the sides together and the door mounted properly. Chewing on Connectors and other Weak Spots While there are endless variations on these themes, most dogs use one of the following three methods for springing themselves loose. To have a good chance at keeping your dog inside his crate, you’ll need to understand how most dogs get out of kennels in the first place. #3 Pick: Homey XL Metal Crate This Homey Metal Crate is 49″ and is capable of holding dogs up to 150 lbs! It also boasts a smaller feeding door as well as the option to stack crates for kennels or breeders.Ĭontinue reading for more in-depth reviews How Dogs Typically Escape Standard Crates.#2 Pick: Smonter Heavy Duty Crate The Smonter is similar in design to the ProSelect, but is a bit lower priced and is available in extra sizes and colors (Available in 38″ / 42″ / 46″).#1 Pick: ProSelect Empire Dog Cage Made of 20 gauge steel and 0.5″ diameter steel tubes, this highly rated steel crate can hold even the toughest dogs.Coming home to find that your four-footer has escaped his crate - and probably destroyed it and your home in the process - is a frustrating problem for many dog owners.īut fortunately, there are a number of Alcatraz-like crates on the market, specifically designed to keep these escape-prone pups contained.