Are you wondering if your dog crate is too small? Has your dog been exhibiting some strange behavior lately?
If he has, its possible that his dog crate or kennel might not be the right size for him…
And if that’s the case, there are many reasons why you should upgrade him to a correctly sized crate as soon as possible…
Aside from being uncomfortable for your dog, a crate that’s too small can lead to a number of health problems for your furry little friend…
So to help your dog stay happy and healthy, here are a number of ways you can check if your dog’s crate is too small for him…
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Dog Crate Too Small? Here’s What To Look For…
It can sometimes be challenging to determine if your dog’s crate is too small, but the good news is that your dog will exhibit some signs…
Here are a few easy factors to look out for that will help you determine if a crate is not sized right for your pup…
Your Dog Cannot Sit Up Straight…
Simply observing if your dog can sit up straight is a great initial test to determine if his crate is too small…
You can do this by having your dog sit upright inside the crate, and you’ll want to ensure that the crate is not hitting his head…
If you need help training your dog how to sit and be obedient click the link below…
>> Click Here To Learn How To Easily Train Your Dog To Be Obedient!
If your pup cannot manage to sit upright, then it’s a clear indication that the crate is too small for him…
Your dog should have enough room in his crate so that there is no need for him to hunch or crunch down in any way…
Your Dog Cannot Turn With Ease…
Another simple way of determining if your dog crate or kennel is too small is to check if your dog is able to turn easily while inside…
You can test this out by holding out a treat for your pup and getting him to turn while he’s inside his crate…
Your dog should be able to turn around quickly by himself without touching any part of the crate and without any awkward hunching…
Your dog’s tail should be the only part of him that touches the side of the crate, so if he finds it hard to turn around, the crate is probably too small for him…
Your Dog Is Not Able To Lay Down And Stretch Out His Paws…
I’m sure you’ve noticed this before, but dogs are just like us (human beings), and they love laying down and stretching out, especially on the floor…
This is something they should be able to do in their crate or kennel too, so try getting your pup to lay down in the middle of his crate…
If he doesn’t have ample stretching space, the crate is probably too small. Sometimes dogs can be reluctant to stretch out while in their crates…
So make sure he’s laying comfortably with at least a couple of inches of extra space around him.
Your Pup Looks Visibly Uncomfortable…
Your dog should be comfortable while staying inside his crate, and if he looks uncomfortable in any way, it’s a dead giveaway that his crate is too small for him…
Usually, aside from just looking uncomfortable while inside his crate, your dog will exhibit some behaviors letting your know that there’s a problem…
Some of the things your dog might start doing to show that he is uncomfortable are: growling, whining, barking, pacing, and shaking or shivering…
So keep an eye out for these behaviors because your little fur baby is trying to tell you that the size of his crate is just not right for him.
Your Dog Develops Back And Neck Problems, Rashes, And Other Health Issues…
Another indicator that your crate is too small is if your dog develops back and neck problems or rashes…
This is especially true is you’ve just purchased and started using a new dog crate, so you’ll want to keep an eye on your pup as he adjusts to it…
And aside from these physical health problems your dog can also be at risk of mental health problems if he’s forced into a crate that is too small for him…
Things like: aggression, withdrawal, hyperactivity, muscle atrophy, separation anxiety, depression, and obsessive licking…
…can possibly arise if your dog is forced into a crate that is too small for him, especially if it’s for an extended period of time.
Guide To Proper Crate Sizing…
Obviously, there are many different breeds of dogs, and they come in all shapes and sizes. So the appropriate crate size for your dog will depend heavily on a number of factors…
The good news is that there are dog crates available in many different shapes and sizes, and it should be relatively easy to find a crate to meet the needs of your little fur baby…
The following will help guide you as you look for a crate that is the correct size for your dog…
Avoid A Dog Crate That Is Too Small…
As I mentioned earlier, you should avoid buying a crate that is too small for your dog. It will be uncomfortable for him to stay inside…
And worse, he could develop some pretty serious health problems if forced to stay in for a long time…
So use the tests I mentioned above to ensure that your dog is able to be comfortable in his crate.
Avoid A Dog Crate That Is Oversized Or Too Big…
Some dog owners think that since its a bad idea to put your dog in a crate that is too small, its a good idea to put them in an extra large crate…
Unfortunately, it’s not a good idea to put your dog in an oversized crate for a couple of reasons…
First of all, your dog will start to use some of his extra space as a place to go poop and pee…
And second, a crate that is too large will leave your dog without the sense of security that he will get from a crate that is the appropriate size for him.
How Big Should My Dog’s Kennel Be?
To determine the right sizing for your dog kennel, you will need to measure your dog’s weight, length, and height…
Once you have your pup’s weight, length, height, and breed most pet shops will be able to help you find a crate that is the correct size for him…
Weight…
One of the ways you can determine your dog’s weight at home is by using a digital weight scale for a human…
Simply weight yourself and take note of the weight. Then pick up your dog, and weight you and your dog together…
After that, subtract your weight from the total weight of you and your dog and BAM… you have your dog’s weight!
Height…
Some dogs are taller while they’re sitting than they are while they are standing, so it’s a good idea to measure your dog’s height while he’s in the sitting position…
Ask your do to sit for you, and once he’s seated upright, simply measure him from the floor all the way up to the tip of his nose.
Length…
To measure the correct length of your dog, its helpful if you have a friend or a family member with you…
Have the second person hold out a treat for your dog, and ask him to stay in the standing postion as you measure…
You’ll want to measure from the tip of his nose to the base of his tail, and the reason why you don’t want to measure to the tip of his tail is because it can lead you to getting a crate that is oversized.
A General Guide To Crate Sizing By Breed…
You will want to measure your particular dog before deciding on the correct size of crate to go with…
But to help give you an idea of what might work, here’s a general sizing guide for your breed or size of dog…
Small And Toy Breeds…
Toy breeds like Maltese, Yorkies, and Chihuahuas are pretty small and can usually do well in extra small crates…
Crates within the measurement range of:
24″ Length X 18″ Width X 19″ Height and 24″ Length X 18″ Width X 21″ Height
Other small dogs that usually weigh a bit more in the range of 11-25 pounds can also do well in these extra small sizes…
And because these dogs are so lightweight, you can find crates that come in lightweight materials such as plastic…
Medium Sized Breeds…
Medium-sized breeds such as Pit Bulls, Cocker Spaniels, and English Bulldogs will usually measure somewhere in the range of 26-40 pounds…
For dogs this size you might look for a crate size in the measurement range of:
30″ Length X 19″ Width X 21″ Height and 30″ Length X 21″ Width X 24″ Height
Large Sized Breeds…
Some large sized dog breed might include English Setters, Bulldogs, and Basset Hounds, and they’ll usually fall with in the weight range of 41-70 pounds…
For dogs this size you might look for a crate size in the measurement range of:
36″ Length X 23″ Width X 25″ Height and 36″ Length X 24″ Width X 27″ Height
Extra-Large Sized Breeds…
Some extra-large sized dog breeds might include Golden Retrievers, Border Collies, and German Sheperds, and they’ll usually fall within the weight range of 71-90 pounds…
For dogs this size you might look for a crate size in the measurement range of:
42″ Length X 28″ Width X 30″ Height and 42″ Length X 28″ Width X 31″ Height
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Final Thoughts…
A crate is not where your dog is going to be spending the majority of his time, at least it shouldn’t be, but there are times when it’s just the appropriate place for him to be…
When such times arise, it’s essential that it is not too small for him because as I mentioned earlier, that can lead to several health problems…
But if you follow the information in this guide, you should…
Number 1, easily be able to determine if your dog is too big for his crate…
And number 2, have a good understanding of how to find a crate that will be sized correctly for him…
Just remember to look for signals from your pup that he’s comfortable in his crate, and that he can sit, lay, and move around without feeling cramped or hunched into place.