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Puppy Crates Vs. Beds: What’s Better for Your Beloved Dog?

Having a dog means having a friend in your life that will always have your back. Even if you think there’s too much work with having a dog, a lot of maintenance and hygiene to take care of, truth is there are more benefits resulting from enlarging your family with a four-legged friend.

Other than providing you with a company, they’re great for helping you out with your social life as they’re great conversation starters and would even come in handy with enabling you to find love and make more friends with ease. On the plus side too, they give your life purpose, prevent loneliness and depression, as well as keep you active thus allow you to lose weight and improve your overall health.

Of course, there comes a time and day when you need a little bit of rest from your pal, same way your dog needs some quiet time of its own, which is where puppy crates and beds are necessary, both available in a variety of sizes, styles and shapes, created for your dog’s comfort.

Yes, this means your Fido can have some quality time away from you in the safety of the home, no need to stay outside for that. Now, considering these two options, which of the two happens to be the better choice? Let’s find out!

The Crate

Don’t be fooled by the crate’s frightening appearance, dogs won’t feel confined in one. Still, if you’re new to using such means and you don’t know how to crate train a puppy, it’s necessary to give your pet some time to get used to it, get in and out on its own whenever it pleases to get the confidence needed to use one.

In case your puppy is afraid, you could count on toys and treats strategically placed inside to lure it in, you yourself entering it and staying in together (that is, if you can fit) or your children, and by all means, leave the door open.

Remember to take it slow, let your puppy take as long as it needs to get used to it, be patient and never use the crate for punishment; the dog should view it as a refuge, not as something to run away from! Also, don’t forget to praise improvement in training whenever you see it.

Now, if you’re wondering about the benefits to having puppy crates, think of them as the calming, soothing places your dogs can retreat whenever they’re done with playing and having fun and they need some rest. An accessory that would make the retreat even better is a specialised cover, providing the darkness ideal for a slumber, but be sure to pick out one that’s made from breathable materials, such as polyester, in a design with multiple panel access.

A crate can be used in times of fear and stress also, as a safe and secure place; for instance, when there are fireworks or thunderstorms and your dog can’t deal with the sounds, the crate is just what’s needed to lessen the anxiety. Anxiety is never good for a dog’s health as it leads to behavioural issues, anxiety disorder, and cardiovascular issues, so the sooner it’s taken care of the better!

Additionally, this safe place is a nice option for pets that have gone through surgeries or have injuries and require confinement to speed up the recovery. It would give you the peace of mind knowing in a crate they wouldn’t have an accident and end up reinjuring themselves.

Last but not least, having a crate is useful if you travel often and your dog doesn’t like travelling in vehicles, be it on trips to the vet or holidays to far off places; this way, both of you would be comfortable and at ease.

The Bed

The thought of puppy crates is often associated with something cold, at least for some owners, whereas when it comes to cosiness nothing replaces a specialised bed. If your home is rather cold, and your dog is short-coated, then you have reasons to prefer a bed over a crate.

Thanks to how lightweight and compact they are, beds can easily be carried anywhere, which isn’t always the case with the metal alternative, though when the trips involve planes, then you’d still have to consider investing in a crate instead.

In terms of suitability for puppies and older dogs, beds aren’t that much of an ideal way to start with puppy training, especially because they’re soft and your puppy can easily chew on them or even worse, choke, so the choice between the two might not always come down to the owner but the dog itself as well.

The Middle Ground

When you simply must use a crate and you want to invest in the comfort, you could go for a combination of both, that is as long as your dog doesn’t chew on the bed. This is an ideal combination especially for elder dogs that need alone time, away from the hustle and bustle at home, and they’re dealing with orthopaedic injuries or arthritis so they could do with some cushioning.

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