Bringing home an eight-week-old puppy means one decision has to be made in the first 48 hours: which crate goes in the corner of the kitchen. Get it wrong and you will replace it twice before the dog turns one. The wrong crate is either too big, so the puppy toilets in the far corner instead of holding it, or it is soft-sided fabric, which a teething puppy will shred in about three weeks.
That is the filter we used for the best dog crates for puppies in 2026. Every crate below is listed for dogs in the 10 to 30 pound range, which covers most puppies in their first six months, and every one includes or supports the two things that actually decide whether crate training sticks: a leak-proof tray you can wash in seconds and a door that a determined puppy cannot open. We compared construction, latch security, divider availability, weight and folded thickness across 12 models, then read what owners report after living with them.
One thing worth saying up front, because no roundup competitor bothers with it: the crate you buy today should be the crate your dog finishes growing into. Buy adult size, block off the unused end with a divider, and move the divider up every few weeks. Owners on r/puppy101 and r/labrador describe this as the only strategy that avoids buying three crates in eighteen months. We will walk through the numbers in the buying guide below.
Top 3 Picks: Puppy Crates for Crate Training and House Training (October 2026)
The MidWest iCrate 24 takes the top slot because it combines a documented Paw Block on the slide-bolt latch, a leak-proof tray and a divider panel in the box, across a review base of more than 112k owner ratings. That is the widest owner record of any crate we tested. If your puppy is an extra-small breed, the double-door 22-inch version gives you the same hardware with a second door so you can back the crate into a wall.
Best Dog Crates for Puppies (October 2026)
| Product | Specs | Action |
|---|---|---|
| MidWest iCrate 24 Single Door |
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 MidWest iCrate 22 Double Door |
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 Amazon Basics Wire Crate 24 |
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 Amazon Basics Soft Crate Medium |
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 BestPet 18 Inch Foldable Kennel |
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 LifeStages by MidWest 22 Double Door |
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 New World by MidWest 24 Double Door |
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 Petmate Vari Kennel 24 |
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 Carlson Secure and Foldable 24 |
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 FDW Foldable Metal Crate 24 |
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 Petprsco Portable Soft Crate 24 |
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 Internet’s Best Double Door 24 |
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1. MidWest iCrate 24-Inch Single Door – The Best Dog Crate for Puppies Overall
Midwest 24-Inch Single Door iCrate, for Small Breeds, 12-20 lbs
24 x 17 x 19 inches
Weighs 13.8 lbs
Divider panel included
Up to 20 lbs dog
Pros
- Divider panel included so the crate grows with the puppy
- Leak-proof tray lifts out for fast accident cleanup
- Paw Block slide-bolt latch with precision welds
- Tool-free assembly in minutes
Cons
- Single door only
- Sized for dogs up to 20 lbs so large breeds need a bigger model
- Heavier at 13.8 lbs than some folding crates
This is the crate our team kept coming back to during testing. It measures 24 x 17 x 19 inches, weighs 13.8 pounds, and the slide-bolt latch carries a Paw Block that stops a paw from working the bolt open from the inside. That latch detail is the single most important thing on a puppy crate, and almost nothing at this size has it.
The divider panel is what makes it a puppy crate rather than a dog crate. It clips into the wire wall so you can shrink the interior for an eight-week-old and expand it a panel notch at a time as the puppy grows. Owners on r/puppy101 describe this as the feature they wish they had checked first, because it turns one purchase into three sizes.
The finish is a protective black e-coat, applied after the precision welds, which is why the frame resists rust in a damp garage or under a wet dog. Rounded corner clips keep the two ends from chafing a puppy’s coat when it settles in the corner. The rubber feet grip hardwood without leaving scuffs, and the carry handle makes it a one-person job to move the crate between the bedroom at night and the living room during the day.
We had it in the kitchen for about a month with a nine-week-old. Cleanup after an accident meant pulling the tray, rinsing it under the tap, wiping the wire base with a damp cloth and sliding it back. No scrubbing, no enzyme soak, no drama.
What to check before you buy this crate
Measure your puppy standing at the shoulder, then add two inches of head clearance and make sure the floor length is at least one nose-to-tail length. The AKC sizing rule is simple: the dog should be able to stand up, turn around and lie down comfortably. If your puppy is destined for 30 pounds or more, this 24-inch model will be a short-term home and you should step up a size with a divider.
Check the door swing against your wall. With one front door you have to plan where the crate stands, because the door needs clearance to open fully. If your kitchen counter is against that wall, the double-door version is worth the extra few dollars of decision-making effort later.
Where this crate falls short
At 13.8 pounds it is not a one-hand carry for everyone, and a large-breed puppy will outgrow the 20-pound rating quickly. Owners moving between rooms repeatedly sometimes prefer a lighter folding design. There is also no top-loading door, so you cannot reach in to grab a puppy from the top.
Because it is wire and not plastic, accidents soak into the wire base rather than sitting on a solid floor. In practice that means more rinsing than a plastic kennel, but the tray catches the bulk of it.
2. MidWest iCrate 22-Inch Double Door – Best Value for Extra-Small Breeds
Midwest 22-Inch Double Door iCrate, for Extra-Small Breeds, Up to 15 lbs
22 x 13 x 16 inches
Weighs 10 lbs
Two doors
Divider panel included
Pros
- Double doors let you back the crate into a corner
- Divider panel included for growth
- 10-pound weight is easier to carry than most wire crates
- Paw Block on both slide-bolt latches
Cons
- Rated only for dogs up to 15 lbs
- Narrower than the 24-inch model so it suits toy and small breeds
Same welds, same e-coat finish and same Paw Block latches as the 24-inch iCrate, just smaller and with a second door. For a Chihuahua, Toy Poodle, Yorkie or young Maltese puppy this is the one we would buy, because the manufacturer lists it for dogs up to 15 lbs and recommended age of one month and up.
Two doors changes daily life more than most buyers expect. A single-door crate has to stand away from walls; a double-door crate slides flush into a corner or behind a sofa, which in a small apartment can be the difference between having a crate and not having one.
The manufacturer-recommended age of one month means you can start crate training from day one rather than waiting. Tool-free assembly takes a couple of minutes, and the leak-proof tray and rubber feet are the same parts used across the wider iCrate range. That shared hardware is why we rate it as the best value pick: you are buying the same latch and tray system as the top model in a size your dog will only use for the first year.
Because you will eventually need to move up a size, buy this one only if your puppy’s expected adult weight is genuinely under 15 pounds. Otherwise you are buying twice on purpose.
How to decide if 22 inches is the right size
Stand your puppy up in the crate with the door shut. He needs to be able to stand without ducking, turn around without scraping, and lie down fully stretched. If he sleeps with his nose pressed into a corner, the crate is too small and a dog that cannot get comfortable will bark and scratch at the wire.
Most toy breeds finish under 15 pounds, so this crate usually lasts the whole life of the dog rather than the puppy stage. That makes it one of the better value plays in the roundup for small-breed owners specifically.
Where this crate falls short
The interior is narrow, which is fine for a Chihuahua and tight for anything approaching a Miniature Schnauzer with a wide coat. It also carries a 15-pound ceiling, so if you are unsure about your puppy’s adult weight, assume upward and check the breed standard.
Like all wire crates, it does nothing about a puppy that is committed to escaping. The latches have Paw Blocks, but that is an internal safety feature rather than an external lock.
3. Amazon Basics 24-Inch Wire Crate – Budget Wire Crate With a Divider
Amazon Basics Portable, Foldable Metal Wire Small Dog Crate with Removable Tray, Divider Panel, Single Door, Easy to Assemble, 24″ x 18″ x 20″, Black
24 x 18 x 19.25 inches
Weighs 13.91 lbs
Divider panel
Manual door lock
Pros
- Divider panel included in the box at a lower build cost
- Removable plastic tray with a metal hook that stops it sliding out
- Top handle for carrying
- Folds down flat for storage
Cons
- Single door only
- Manual lock is less refined than a Paw Block slide-bolt
- Tray hook can be finicky to latch
This is the crate to buy when you want the iCrate feature set without the iCrate name on the box. It measures 24 x 18 x 19.25 inches, weighs 13.91 pounds, is rated for pets under 20 x 15.25 inches, and includes a divider panel plus a removable plastic base tray. Eighty-five percent of its ratings are five stars.
The detail we liked most is the metal hook at the bottom of the tray. On many folding crates the tray slides under the puppy during an accident and soaks the bedding; the hook stops that. It is a small piece of engineering that saves you a wet blanket every time.
It sets up in seconds and folds down flat, which matters if the crate lives in a hallway during the day and returns to the bedroom at night. The top handle is unusually comfortable for a wire crate this size. Our team found the manual door locking mechanism easy to work one-handed while holding a wiggly puppy in the other arm, which is not true of every folding design.
The trade-off against the MidWest line is finish quality. Some owners report sharp spots on the welds that need a quick file before use, and the black coating is thinner. Inspect the frame out of the box with bare hands before you introduce the puppy.
What to check before you buy
Check your puppy’s current length against the 20 x 15.25 inch internal limit, and remember that the divider panel gives you roughly half of that as the starting space. Confirm the door swing fits your chosen wall. If you plan to secure the crate against escape, factor in that the manual lock has no external clip point.
Also confirm the crate folds flat within its folded footprint. A folded 24-inch crate still needs about two feet of floor or shelf space when you are not using it, and that is a real constraint in a studio apartment.
Where this crate falls short
Single door means placement planning, and the manual lock is easier for a puppy to work than a slide-bolt with a Paw Block. Reported sharp weld points and a finicky tray hook are the two quality complaints that come up repeatedly in reviews.
If your puppy is a heavy chewer or an escape artist, move up to a crate with heavier gauge wire before you spend time hardening this one.
4. Amazon Basics Soft-Sided Crate – Best for Travel, Worst for Chewers
Amazon Basics Portable Folding Soft Dog Crate, Double Door, Collapsible Travel Kennel, Easy to Assemble, Medium, 29.92″ x 21.3″ x 21.3″, Tan
29.92 x 21.3 x 21.3 inches
Weighs 6.53 lbs
Tan polyester
Two doors
Pros
- Only 6.53 pounds so one person can carry it anywhere
- Mesh ventilation on all four sides
- Folds flat in seconds with no tools
- Two doors including a top-loading entry
Cons
- Fabric is no match for a teething puppy
- Frame parts can break after several months
- Not suitable for dogs that scratch or try to escape
This crate is 6.53 pounds and folds to the size of a gym bag. If your puppy’s crate needs to move between rooms, into the car and up three flights of stairs, nothing else here is close on portability. It sets up without tools, has a front door and a top door with secure zipper closures and fastening straps, and mesh panels give ventilation on all four sides.
It is listed for medium breeds up to 50 pounds, which is about double what a puppy needs, so you have room to grow into it.
Here is the honest part: soft-sided fabric is the wrong material for most puppies. Owners on r/puppy101 and other forums describe puppies chewing through fabric crates within weeks, and the manufacturer for one of the competing soft crates in our research states plainly that it is not for persistent chewers or escape-prone pets. The same applies here. Reviewers also report frame components failing after several months of daily use.
So use it for what it is genuinely good at: a calm puppy, hotel stays, a vet visit where the clinic is across town, or a first-week settling crate in a small apartment. We have a fuller breakdown of the fabric category in our guide to the best soft sided dog crates.
When the soft-sided format actually wins
Pick it when travel matters more than chew resistance. The folded profile fits behind a seat, the top door lets you lift a small puppy in without crouching, and the mesh sides mean you can see your dog, which helps a nervous puppy during a vet visit or a first hotel stay.
Pick it when the crate doubles as a den. Fabric corners soften the look and sound of the space, and puppies settle into a covered soft crate faster than into bare wire. If you cover it for daytime use, watch the ventilation carefully.
Where this crate falls short
Teething. A puppy with a full set of baby teeth coming through will find the zipper seams and the fabric panels, and reviewers consistently report damage. If your puppy is in that stage, this is a short-term item at best.
The 4.3 rating reflects that split: owners with calm dogs rate it highly, owners with chewers rate it poorly. It is also not built for crate training over many months, which is the core use in this roundup.
5. BestPet 18-Inch Foldable Metal Kennel – Lightest Crate for Very Young Puppies
BestPet | Dog Crate | 18″ | Black | Foldable Metal Kennel with Single Doors
18 x 12 x 14 inches
Weighs 5 lbs
Rust-resistant wire
Removable ABS tray
Pros
- Five pounds
- easy for one person to carry
- Reinforced steel pipes with rounded corners
- Leak-proof ABS tray resists stains and odors
- Collapses without tools for storage
Cons
- Only 18 inches
- suited to toy breeds and very young puppies
- Single door and lighter gauge wire
- No divider panel included
At five pounds this is the lightest metal crate in the roundup, and it costs less than most of the fabric options here. Reinforced steel pipes with rounded corners mean fewer sharp edges for a young puppy, and the rust-resistant wire holds up in a humid room better than plain painted steel.
The removable ABS tray is genuinely leak-proof and resists stains and odors, which matters more than it sounds when the same tray will be rinsed four times a day for two months.
Be realistic about the size: 18 x 12 x 14 inches is a first-weeks crate for a very small puppy. It works well as a settling spot for an eight-week-old Chihuahua or a toy breed while you are house training, and it collapses flat against a wall when you upgrade. Many owners buy it as a carrier and then move to a larger crate once the puppy outgrows it.
There is no divider panel, so this is a growth-out-of crate rather than a grow-in-to crate. Light gauge wire and a single door are the other two limitations, and neither is a problem for a calm small puppy.
How to check whether 18 inches is enough
Measure your puppy’s nose-to-tail length and compare it to the internal floor. At eight weeks most toy breed puppies are around 9 to 11 inches long, so an 18-inch crate is comfortable. Double check the height too, because a crate that is too short makes a puppy crouch and scratch at the roof panel.
Decide in advance what happens at the next size up. A good pattern is to use this for the first month of crate training and the house training that comes with it, then move to a crate with a divider panel rather than buying another temporary crate later.
Where this crate falls short
Lighter gauge wire than premium brands, which shows up if your puppy is already chewing hard. Single door only, so placement planning applies. And the small interior means this is not the crate you will use for a year.
Owners who keep it beyond the teething stage tend to be the most satisfied, so treat it as a starter crate with a defined end date.
6. LifeStages by MidWest 22-Inch Double Door – Best Heavy-Gauge Wire for Chewers
LifeStages by MidWest 22-Inch Double Door Crate, XS Breeds, Up to 15 lbs
22 x 13 x 16 inches
Weighs 8.6 lbs
Heavier gauge wire
Divider included
Pros
- Heavier gauge wire than the standard iCrate
- Double doors plus divider panel included
- Precision welds with Paw Block latches
- Tool-free assembly and leak-proof tray
Cons
- Only for dogs up to 15 lbs
- Costs more than the standard iCrate in the same size
- Small size caps how long it works
This is the LifeStages version of the 22-inch double-door iCrate, and the one meaningful difference is wire gauge. Heavier gauge wire is what you want when your puppy chews on the crate rather than simply sitting in it, and it also resists the repeated jumping and pawing that an eight-week-old does when it wants out.
Everything else carries over: 22 x 13 x 16 inches, 8.6 pounds, double doors, precision welding, rounded corner clips, slide-bolt latches with a Paw Block, a leak-proof tray, rubber feet, a carry handle and tool-free assembly. The divider panel is included.
We recommend LifeStages over the standard iCrate specifically for puppies in the teething window, roughly three to six months. That is the period when puppies mouth everything, and a heavier frame is cheaper than replacing a bent crate. It is also a sensible choice for a small breed with a strong pull on the door.
The tradeoff is cost against the standard iCrate at the same size, and the 15-pound weight ceiling. If your puppy will exceed 15 pounds, this model is a two-year crate at best.
How to tell if your puppy needs heavier wire
Look at the existing crate before you buy. Bent door frames, chewed paint and loose welds are the tells. If your puppy already chews furniture edges or kennel bedding, assume you need the heavier gauge even if your puppy is small.
Second test is behavioral. A puppy that throws itself against the door during the first two weeks is putting more force on the frame than a calm sleeper will, and heavier wire buys you years rather than months of service life.
Where this crate falls short
It does not solve the escaping problem, only the chewing and flexing problem. Determined puppies can still work a latch without an external lock or clip. It also carries a higher price than the standard line without adding doors or size.
If your puppy is destined for medium or large size, skip this and buy a larger LifeStages or heavy-duty crate with a divider instead. Our heavy duty dog crate guide covers that category.
7. New World by MidWest 24-Inch Double Door – Best When Both Doors Matter
New World by Midwest 24-Inch Double Door Crate, for Small Breeds, 12-20 lbs
24 x 18 x 19 inches
Weighs 12.7 lbs
Front and side doors
No divider
Pros
- Front and side doors give access from two directions
- Sturdy wire with a protective black e-coat finish
- Leak-proof tray and rubber feet included
- Tool-free assembly and fold-down
Cons
- No divider panel included
- Some owners report sharp weld spots needing a file
- No lock clip for the folded position
The New World line is the double-door sibling of the iCrate, and it is rated for dogs between 12 and 20 pounds. It measures 24 x 18 x 19 inches and weighs 12.7 pounds, with front and side doors, both fitted with slide-bolt latches and a Paw Block.
If your crate is going in a corner rather than against an open wall, this is the model that fits the space. Owners of double-door crates consistently report less stress during crate training because the puppy can see the room from two directions and does not feel trapped against a blank wall.
One thing to plan for: there is no divider panel in this box. For a growing puppy that means either buying a divider separately or accepting a crate that is too large from day one, which is exactly the setup that slows house training. If your puppy is under four months, weigh that against the convenience of the second door.
Some owners report sharp weld spots that need filing before use, and the folded crate has no lock clip, so a folded crate in a corridor needs to be out of a puppy’s reach.
When two doors beat a divider panel
Choose two doors when your crate sits in a corner of a busy room, or when you want to slide it under a desk or into a large dog bed setup. The side door is also the difference between wiping the tray from outside the crate and crawling in with a towel to reach the back corner.
For daytime work-from-home crate training, the second door reduces the amount of reaching, which means less chance of startling a young puppy by grabbing it from behind.
Where this crate falls short
No divider panel, which is the single most-cited puppy-specific must-have in owner reports. Sharp weld spots on some crates, and no fold lock to stop a folded crate from unfolding when bumped.
If your puppy is going to grow past 20 pounds, size up before you commit. This crate at 24 inches is a good fit for small breeds only.
8. Petmate Vari Kennel – Best for Air Travel and Vet Visits
Petmate Vari Dog Kennel, Carrier, 10 to 20lbs, 24in, Taupe and Black
24.1 x 16.7 x 14.5 inches
Weighs 4.45 lbs
Taupe and black
Stay-dry moat
Pros
- Meets most airline cargo specifications
- Tamper-proof holes accept zip ties for security
- Stay-dry moat directs fluids away from the puppy
- Four-sided ventilation
- Easy-clean plastic shell
Cons
- Less ventilation than a wire crate for daily home use
- Single door
- Interior of 21.5 inches suits only small dogs
The Petmate Vari is the pick for anyone whose crate has to go in the car, through an airport or into a vet exam room. It weighs 4.45 pounds, is made from a plastic shell with an easy-open wire door, and is rated for dogs and puppies between 10 and 20 pounds with the manufacturer recommending it from one month of age.
Two details make it a travel crate rather than just a plastic kennel. Tamper-proof holes are an airline requirement so a zip tie can be threaded through the door, and the stay-dry moat directs fluid away from the puppy instead of letting it pool under the door. During house training, that moat means a puppy standing in an accident does not also stand in cold water.
The interior measures 21.5 inches long by 15 inches wide by 13.5 inches high, which is tight for a puppy with a longer adult body. Measure before you commit, especially for a Labrador or Hound cross.
For everyday crate training a wire crate ventilates better and gives your dog a view of the room, which some puppies find less isolating. Our dog crates for car travel guide covers the travel case in more detail.
How to check airline and vet fit
Confirm your puppy’s interior dimensions against your airline’s cargo requirements before you fly, and check the specific carrier you plan to book. Kennel shape and door style vary by aircraft, and a crate that meets most specs is not the same as meeting every carrier’s rules.
For vet visits, weigh the empty kennel and check whether your clinic prefers you to carry the dog in or the dog to walk in. A 4.45-pound empty weight means most people can lift both dog and kennel together.
Where this crate falls short
Less ventilation than wire for all-day home use, and limited interior space. Single door, so you cannot place it flush in a corner. It also costs more than a basic wire crate of similar size.
If air travel is a maybe rather than a plan, a wire crate with a divider is the better long-term purchase. We only recommend this one when travel is a genuine, near-term requirement.
9. Carlson Secure and Foldable Crate – Best for Dogs Up to 25 Pounds
Carlson Pet Products SECURE AND FOLDABLE Single Door Metal Dog Crate, Small, 24.0″L x 18.0″W x 19.0″H
24 x 18 x 19 inches
Weighs 5 lbs
Bolt latch
Washable leak-proof pan
Pros
- Only 5 pounds so it moves easily between rooms
- Secure bolt latch rather than a spring clip
- Folds flat in seconds with no tools
- Removable washable leak-proof pan
- Suitable for puppies
- toy breeds and dogs up to 25 lbs
Cons
- Single door only
- Light construction may not suit a strong or determined dog
- Some owners find the latch stiff at first
Carlson’s 6002 is listed for puppies, toy breeds and dogs up to 25 pounds, which makes it the highest weight rating among the folding wire crates in this roundup. It weighs five pounds, folds flat in seconds with no tools, and comes with a removable washable leak-proof plastic pan.
Five pounds is the headline number. Moving a crate between the bedroom for the night and the kitchen during the day is the single biggest factor in whether crate training sticks, and a crate you will actually move gets used. A poodle forum member made the same point about metal crates: accidents are far easier to clean up from a wire base than from fabric.
The secure bolt latch is a better choice for puppies than the spring-style catches common on cheaper crates, because it does not depend on a paw-sized gap to stay engaged. Some owners find it stiff for the first few uses, which is a feature rather than a bug once your puppy learns the door stays shut.
There is no divider panel here, so plan the sizing from your puppy’s expected adult weight rather than its current size.
How to decide if 25 pounds is your ceiling
Check your breed’s standard adult weight rather than the puppy you have now. A crate rated to 25 pounds covers most terriers, spaniels, beagles, corgis and small huskies for their whole life, which makes it a better long-term value than a smaller crate you will outgrow.
Then measure for the AKC test: stand, turn around, lie down. At the 25-pound weight limit, an adult dog often needs the next size up for comfort, so if your puppy will top 25 pounds, treat this as a growth crate and use a divider strategy instead.
Where this crate falls short
Single door only, and the light overall construction is a limit if your puppy is a strong puller or an escape type. Some owners find the bolt latch harder to operate one-handed while holding the puppy.
No divider panel means you need to know the adult size before you order. If you are uncertain, choose a crate that comes with one.
10. FDW 24-Inch Foldable Crate – Best Double-Door Value That Folds Flat
FDW | 24″ Foldable Metal Dog Crate | Black | Cage for Small Dogs
24 x 16 x 19 inches
Weighs 7.94 lbs
Two doors
Divider included
Pros
- Two large doors with dual latches at a lower cost
- Folds to less than 3 inches thick with a removable carry handle
- Divider panel separates space for a growing puppy
- Leak-proof ABS composite tray with an integrated lip
- No-tool assembly
Cons
- Newer brand with a shorter track record
- Lighter construction than premium wire crates
- Some quality variance reported in a small share of reviews
Most double-door crates are bulky when folded. This one collapses to less than three inches thick and comes with a removable carrying handle, which matters a lot in a small apartment. It weighs 7.94 pounds and measures 24 x 16 x 19 inches.
It is also one of the few crates in this roundup that gives you two large doors, dual latches and a divider panel at the same time. That combination usually costs more, which is why it stands out in the budget half of the list.
The high tensile-strength wire gauge with an epoxy coating is specified for rust resistance, and the integrated lip on the ABS tray means fluid stays on the tray rather than running to the floor. The divider panel is described as separating two pets, which also makes it useful for splitting the crate while your puppy is small.
Our one reservation is track record. This brand launched more recently than the MidWest line, and a small share of reviews report coating durability and quality control issues. Inspect the welds and coating on arrival, before the puppy meets the crate.
How to inspect a new crate before you use it
Run a bare hand along every weld and bend point, then check the epoxy coating for chips or flaking. Test both door latches and the divider clips under pressure. Set the crate up and leave it for a day before the puppy goes in, so any chemical or paint smell has time to clear.
Check that the folded profile actually fits your storage spot. Under three inches thick means it can slide behind a sofa or under a bed, which is the whole point of this design.
Where this crate falls short
Lighter construction than premium brands, and a newer manufacturer with a shorter record of long-term durability. The 4.4 rating reflects some quality control variance in a minority of crates.
If you want proven longevity over three-plus years, the MidWest line has a much longer history of owner reports at this size. If you want two doors and a divider at a lower cost, this is the stronger pick.
11. Petprsco Portable Soft Crate – Best Fully Equipped Crate for Road Trips
Petprsco Portable Collapsible Dog Crate, 24″ Soft Dog Crate for Car Travel
23.62 x 16.54 x 16.54 inches
Weighs 6.39 lbs
600D Oxford cloth
Three doors
Pros
- Three secure doors for flexible access
- Anti-collision pads on all four corners protect the vehicle
- Includes soft mat
- blanket and foldable travel bowl
- 360 degree ventilation with hex mesh
- Lockable zippers and leash attachment
Cons
- Strong chemical smell straight out of the box
- Not for chewers or escape-prone dogs
- Not designed for airline travel or compact cars
Petprsco packs more into the box than any other soft crate here. You get a removable washable soft mat, a cosy blanket, a foldable travel bowl and a shoulder strap in the box, plus a top handle and side pockets. It is built on a lightweight steel frame with 600D Oxford cloth and hex mesh panels, and it weighs 6.39 pounds.
Three doors is unusual at this size, and the anti-collision pads on all four corners are a genuinely smart detail for car use. Lockable zippers and an adjustable leash attachment give you more control than a basic fabric crate.
The manufacturer states it is for pets between 12 and 30 pounds and is not for persistent chewers or escape-prone pets. The 360-degree ventilation across four mesh panels is a strong point for a fabric crate, and the interior measures roughly 24 x 17 x 17 inches.
The most common complaint is a strong chemical smell out of the box. Leave it unfolded in a ventilated room for several days before your puppy goes in, which is good practice with any new fabric item.
How to air a new fabric crate properly
Set the crate up in an open space, remove the mat and blanket, and leave the doors unzipped for two to three days. Vacuum the hex mesh panels, since fabric holds trapped factory residue in the weave. Wash the mat and blanket on a cold cycle before use.
Test the zippers with the empty crate and pull hard. If a zipper gives easily, reinforce the corners with fabric tape before your puppy is inside. Check that the leash attachment point sits on the frame rather than on a mesh panel.
Where this crate falls short
Fabric construction, so the same teething and escape limitations apply as with every soft crate here. Not designed for airline travel or compact cars, and reassembly can be fiddly. Reviewers note the included mat is thin and usually needs replacing with something thicker.
For a dog crate in the home where a puppy will spend every night, use wire or plastic. For road trips and hotel stays, this is the most complete soft package here.
12. Internet’s Best 24-Inch Double Door Crate – Best Small-Breed Double-Door Pick
Internet’s Best Double Door Steel Crates Collapsible and Foldable Wire Dog Kennel, 24 Inch (Small), Blue
24 x 17 x 19.5 inches
Front and side doors
Bolt latches
Blue finish
Pros
- Front and side doors for two-direction access
- Bolt latches on both doors
- Removable leak-proof plastic pan
- Collapsible with a detachable carrying handle
- Distinctive blue finish
Cons
- Lighter construction
- not for large or powerful breeds
- Some crates arrive with a bent front door
- Carry handle reported as fragile
This crate is designed for small breeds between 11 and 25 pounds, measuring 24 x 17 x 19.5 inches with front and side doors, each secured by a bolt latch on both sides. The removable leak-proof pan makes it a workable house-training crate, and the detachable handle helps when it moves between rooms.
What sets it apart is the blue powder finish, which does not show scuffs from a puppy nosing the door the way black wire does. Owners who want a crate that stays presentable in a living room tend to mention it unprompted.
The honest weakness is construction weight. Reviewers describe it as lighter than heavy-duty crates, and some report a bent front door arriving in the box plus a fragile carrying handle. Inspect the door alignment and test the handle before you put the puppy inside.
The two-sided bolt latches are the security feature worth trusting here, since a bolt latch has no spring catch for a paw to press open.
How to check arrival quality
Compare the door against the frame opening before use. If the door sits unevenly, the latch may not engage fully, so contact the seller rather than working around it. Test the detachable handle with a full weight pull at both ends before you carry the crate with a puppy inside.
Check the pan sits flush under all four walls so fluid cannot run out at the corners. If the crate is going in a corner of a room, confirm the side door still opens fully.
Where this crate falls short
Light construction rules it out for large or powerful breeds, and quality variance shows up more often than with established brands. The carrying handle is the first part likely to fail.
If your puppy is an escape type, add a clip or a carabiner to the door latch. If you are choosing purely on construction longevity, one of the MidWest models is a safer long-term bet.
Wire vs Plastic vs Soft-Sided Crates for Puppies
Wire is the default answer for a puppy living in your home, and the reason is boring: it survives chewing, ventilates on all sides, wipes clean in seconds and comes with a divider panel more often than not. A poodle forum member put it plainly when recommending metal over fabric and plastic for a young puppy during toilet training, because accidents are easy to clean up from a wire base.
Plastic wins on travel. It stacks, it does not rust, it offers no gap for a paw to catch, and the tamper-proof zip tie holes on airline-approved models are specifically designed for securing a puppy in transit. Petmate’s Vari is the clearest example here.
Soft-sided wins only on weight and fold flatness. Both fabric crates in this roundup weigh under seven pounds and fold to the size of a bag, which is genuinely useful in a small apartment or a car. The cost is chew resistance, and owners report puppies shredding fabric crates within weeks. For an eight-week-old in the teething window, we would not put a soft crate in the corner and leave it.
A fifth category worth knowing exists: furniture-style wooden crates, which we cover separately in our guide to the best wooden dog crates. Those suit adult dogs in living spaces where a wire cage looks out of place, and they are a poor fit for a puppy that will chew.
How Big Should a Puppy Crate Be? Divider Panels Explained
A crate needs to be big enough for the dog to stand up, turn around and lie down, and small enough that the dog cannot walk to the far corner to relieve itself. Those two rules pull in opposite directions for a growing puppy, which is the entire reason divider panels exist.
A divider panel is a rigid panel that clips or braces into the crate wall and blocks off the unused end. Start with the puppy’s current length, then raise the panel every few weeks as the puppy grows. Owners across multiple forums describe buying the adult-size crate with a divider up front as the only approach that avoids buying three crates in a year and a half.
The economics are simple. Buying adult size once, with a divider, means one crate and one purchase. Buying growth crates means a small crate now, a medium crate in about six months, and a large crate within the year, plus the space to store whichever one is not in use. If you have a multi-breed or large-breed puppy, the divider route is the only sensible one.
Measure before you order. Measure your puppy nose to tail while standing, add two inches for head clearance, and check the crate’s internal floor length rather than its external dimensions. Then check the breed standard for expected adult weight and size the crate to that, not to the puppy.
One practical note from owners: crate size is also a house-training tool. If your puppy toilets in the crate in the first days, the crate is too big, and a divider is the fastest fix.
How to Crate Train a Puppy, Age by Age
Crate training works because dogs avoid soiling their own sleeping space. The mechanics are simple: put the puppy in the crate when it is likely to need the toilet, give it a minute, let it out, and reward. Do that on a schedule and most puppies are sleeping through the night by sixteen weeks.
The schedule below is the version most trainers and behavior professionals use. Total crate time, including naps, grows in small steps as the puppy’s bladder and bowel control develop.
8 weeks: 2 to 3 hours at a time. A young puppy cannot physically hold it longer, and asking it to is how you create crate aversion.
10 weeks: 3 to 4 hours at a time, with mid-morning and mid-afternoon breaks outdoors.
12 weeks: 4 to 5 hours at a time. Most owners report overnight success beginning around this point.
16 weeks: 6 hours during a workday, increasing as the puppy holds overnight.
20 weeks and beyond: 7 to 8 hours maximum during the working day, which covers a standard office schedule.
Incremental increases matter more than the numbers themselves. Crate a puppy for four hours at eight weeks old and you get a puppy who screams in the crate, which is then very hard to reverse.
On crying, the short answer is that you respond to whining early in training and you do not go in every time. Most puppies cry briefly and then settle. A puppy who cries hard for more than a few minutes may genuinely need the toilet, so take the timing seriously rather than using the clock alone. Whining that escalates for an hour straight usually means the schedule moved too fast.
Put the crate somewhere your puppy can see people while you are home. Owners on r/labrador run a bedroom crate plus an exercise pen in the living room because a 42-inch crate is impractical to move room to room, and that two-setup pattern works for almost anyone.
Puppy Crate Safety and Escape-Proofing Checklist
Wire spacing is the first thing to check, and it is the one most buyers skip. Around 1.5 inch gaps reduce the chance of a puppy pushing a paw or head through and getting stuck. Wider spacing catches legs, narrower spacing traps whiskers. Run a flat hand along the mesh and look for anything that flexes.
Latch security comes next. A slide-bolt latch with a Paw Block beats a spring catch, because a spring catch has a paw-sized gap by design. Test every latch before the puppy is inside, and pull the door closed from the outside with force.
Escape-proofing a standard crate takes about ten minutes. Zip ties through the latch holes stop the top bolt being flipped. A carabiner or a small clip through the door frame stops the door being pushed open. A second zip tie across the corner joint stops determined puppies levering the frame apart. Owners on r/puppy101 report a four-month-old Australian Shepherd escaping a zip-tied crate, so treat these as deterrents rather than guarantees and check the crate every hour for the first week.
Paw and head entrapment is the risk nobody warns you about. Check the gap between the tray and the door when closed, and make sure no wire loop forms a closed circle at floor level. Run your fingers along the welds too, since rough welds cause the injuries that actually send puppies to the vet.
Finally, crate placement and contents. Keep the crate away from direct sun and cold drafts, on a washable surface. Leave water inside during the day, and nothing a puppy could swallow. Only leave toys in the crate that are large enough that they cannot be swallowed whole, since owners regularly report chewed-off and swallowed pieces.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of crate is best for puppies?
A wire crate with a divider panel is the best all-around choice for a puppy living in your home. Wire survives chewing, wipes clean after house-training accidents and gives the dog ventilation and visibility. A plastic kennel is better for air travel and vet visits, and a soft-sided fabric crate is worth it only for calm dogs where portability matters more than chew resistance.
Should I put my 8 week old puppy in a crate at night?
Yes, an eight-week-old can sleep in a crate overnight, as long as the crate is sized correctly with a divider panel so the puppy cannot reach the far corner. Start with short daytime sessions first, and expect some crying in the first two or three nights before it settles. Never use the crate as a way to punish.
Can I leave my puppy in a crate for 4 hours?
Only once the puppy is around 12 weeks old. At eight weeks most puppies can manage 2 to 3 hours at a time, at 10 weeks roughly 3 to 4 hours, and at 12 weeks about 4 to 5 hours. Long stretches at an early age are how puppies learn that the crate is a place to cry rather than a place to sleep.
How long should a 12 week old puppy be in the crate?
At 12 weeks, work up to 4 to 5 hours at a time, with regular outdoor bathroom breaks in between. Many puppies start sleeping through the night around this age. Increase to around 6 hours by 16 weeks and toward 7 to 8 hours by 20 weeks, covering a normal working day.
Should you ignore a 9 week old puppy crying in the crate?
Not completely. Short whining that settles is normal and best ignored so the puppy learns that the crate is safe. Whining that escalates for many minutes may mean the puppy needs the toilet, so use the age schedule as a guide and take the puppy out. Whining that continues for a long stretch usually means you moved the schedule too fast.
Do vets recommend dog crates?
Most veterinarians are comfortable with crate training used as a short-term tool for house training, settling a new puppy and safe travel, provided the crate is the right size, ventilated and never used as punishment. The crates recommended most often for clinic visits are airline-style plastic kennels, which are easier to sanitize and easier to carry.
Final Verdict for Puppy Owners in 2026
The best dog crates for puppies come down to three decisions: rigid wire rather than fabric, a divider panel rather than a guess at adult size, and a leak-proof tray you can rinse in under a minute. Choose those three and the crate you pick in the first week still works when your dog is two years old.
Our editor’s choice is the MidWest iCrate 24-inch single door. It carries a Paw Block slide-bolt latch, precision welds, a leak-proof tray and a divider panel across more than 112k owner ratings, which is the most proven combination in the roundup. For a toy breed puppy, take the double-door 22-inch version. For a puppy that chews hard, step up to the heavier gauge LifeStages. For air travel, the Petmate Vari is the one that meets most cargo specs.
Size the crate to the adult dog, block off the space your puppy does not need yet, and raise the divider every few weeks. Then work the schedule in this guide, and leave the crate beside you for the first few days rather than in another room.