Which size crate do I need?

Always choose a crate that will accommodate your adult sized dog. While a puppy, use a plastic or metal divider panel to shrink the crate down to fit him/her.

18 - 22" Crate for Extra Small Dogs 2 - 10 lbs
Chihuahua, Pug, Shih Tzu, Yorkshire Terrier

24" Crate for Small Dogs 11 - 25 lbs
Australian Terrier, Bichon Frise, Border Terrier, Boston Terrier, Brussles Griffon, Chinese Crested, Fox Terrier, Jack Russell Terrier, Japanese Chin, Maltese, Manchester Terrier, Miniature Dachshund, Miniature Poodle, Norwich Terrier, Papillon, Pomeranian, Silky Terrier, Tibetan Terrier, Toy Fox Terrier

30" Crate for Medium Dogs 26 - 40 lbs
American Water Spaniel, Australian Terrier, Basenji, Bedlington Terrier, Bichon Frise, Border Terrier, Boston Terrier, Brussels Griffon, Cairn Terrier, Chinese Crested, Clumber Spaniel, Dachshund, Fox Terrier, French Bulldog, Jack Russell Terrier, Japanese Chin, King Charles Spaniel, Lhasa Apso, Maltese, Manchester Terrier, Miniature Dachshund, Miniature Pinscher, Miniature Poodle, Miniature Schnauzer, Norwich Terrier, Papillon, Pekingese, Pomeranian, Scottish Terrier, Shetland Sheepdog, Silky Terrier, Tibetan Terrier, Toy Fox Terrier, Welsh Springer Spaniel, Welsh Terrier, West Highland Terrier

36" Crate for Intermediate Dogs 41 - 70 lbs
American Eskimo, American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Australian Cattle Dog, Basset Hound, Beagle, Brittany Spaniel, Bull Terrier, Bulldog, Chinese Shar-Pei, Cocker Spaniel, English Setter, English Springer Spaniel, Finnish Spitz, Harrier, Keeshond, Kerry Blue Terrier, Norwegian Elkhound, Portuguese Water Dog, Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier, Welsh Corgi, Whippet

42" Crate for Large Dogs 71 - 90 lbs
Airedale Terrier. Australian Shepherd, Bearded Collie, Belgian Malinois, Belgian Sheepdog, Belgian Tervuren, Border Collie, Boxer, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Chow-Chow, Dalmation, Golden Retriever, Ibizan Hound, Irish Setter, Irish Water Spaniel, Labrador Retriever, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Saluki, Standard Poodle, Standard Schnauzer, Vizsla

48" Crate for Extra Large Dogs 91 - 110 lbs
Afghan, Alaskan Malamute, Anatolian Shepherd, Bernese Mountain Dog, Bloodhound, Bouvier Des Flandres, Briard, Bullmastiff, Collie, Doberman Pinscher, Dogue De Bordeaux, German Shepherd, Giant Schnauzer, Gordon Setter, Greyhound, Komondor, Kuvasz, Old English Sheepdog, Otterhound, Rottweiler, Samoyed, Siberian Husky, Weimaraner

54" Crate for XXL Dogs 110+ lbs
Borzoi, Great Dane, Great Pyrenees, Irish Wolfhound, Mastiff, Neapolitan Mastiff, Newfoundland, Scottish Deerhound, Saint Bernard

Destructive in the crate by Cesar Millan

Destructive in the Crate

Cesar.

How can I stop my dogs from chewing whatever bedding we put in their crate?

Loretta Hamann
East Northport, NY

Loretta,

There’s so much we don’t know from your question. These are the questions I’d ask you. How old are your dogs? Are they spayed or neutered? How much exercise are they getting? How long are they being kept in the crate? The best I can answer you without knowing the details is that typically when a dog is destructive, he is releasing energy and he’s bored. This may be obsessive behavior as well, but as a general suggestion for a dog o is destructive in the crate:

1) Make sure that you always drain his energy before you put him in the crate. For some dogs a vigorous 30-minute walk is sufficient. For others, they may need twice that much and more of a challenge, like carrying a backpack or going to a run instead.

2) Always lead a dog into the crate gently. Never force them in. If you need to, lure them in with a treat or a leash.

3) Calm behavior in the crate should be rewarded, so the dog knows this is what you expect from him.

4) Only release your dog from the crate when he is calm. They may be excited to see you at the crate, but be patient and wait for them to relax before letting them out.

5) Consider using treats or toys that will keep them occupied in the crate, such as a bully stick or you can fill a Kong toy with peanut butter and freeze it so it lasts longer. There are other toys like treat balls that can also stimulate the brain so they are not bored and their attention is redirected to something more productive than destroying the bedding.