Puppy Crate Training Products and Accessories

Preventive Vet's certified dog trainer and behavior consultant, Cathy Madson, shares her top picks for crates, pens, crate accessories, and supplies to help you through the puppy crate training process.

Safety Note: As with all chews and toys, supervise your dog to ensure their safety. Throw away chews before they are small enough to swallow. Toys should be sized appropriately for your dog so they cannot be choked on or swallowed, and throw away toys when they become damaged.

Top Puppy Crate & Playpen Picks

There are many crate styles to choose from, depending on the available space and style of your home.

MidWest iCrate for Dogs (Single and Double Door Options)

A classic choice, this wire crate is collapsible and convenient with two door options to use.

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Diggs Revol Crate

While on the pricier side, this crate has all the bells and whistles a dog trainer could ask for. Being able to fold up one side allows for a more spacious and open option, perfect for when you combine the crate with a puppy playpen. And the top open option makes giving treats, meals, or toys super easy. Plus, this crate folds down and has wheels for easy transport.

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Midwest Portable Dog Crate

Pop-up crates like this make travel a breeze. While not ideal for dogs that will chew on the fabric (and then be able to escape), these are great for dogs who are comfortable being crated while you stay in hotels.

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Petmate Sky Kennel

Hard-sided kennels like this one are required for airplane travel, and many dogs prefer a more enclosed type of crate at home.

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MidWest Homes for Pets Foldable Metal Exercise Pen

Choose from different heights for your pup's playpen and even attach to their crate when creating a puppy play zone. I like how lightweight these are, which makes them easy to transport and use in a variety of environments.

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Jespet Portable Dog Playpen

This pop-up and portable playpen is perfect for when your puppy needs more room to move while you're traveling or enjoying outdoor time prior to their vaccinations being complete. It's also a great option for moving room-to-room in your home but still need a puppy-proofed area or during potty training.

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Our Picks for Crate Beds & Mats

Veehoo Chew Proof Elevated Dog Bed - Cooling Raised Pet Cot

dog on veehoo chew proof elevated dog bed

Dog cots are great for puppies who love to chew on other bedding, go to place training, and for keeping a pup nice and cool in their crate or pen. These are easy to wipe down or wash in case of potty accidents, and very durable.

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Hugglefleece Dog Bed Mat, Plush Soft and Durable, Machine Washable Bed

Soft and cozy, this crate bed is a nice choice for puppies who like to nestle inside their crate. Plus, it's machine washable! Check regularly for any wear and tear in case your pup decides it also makes a good chew toy.

Buy Similar on Chewy

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PetFusion Premium Pet Blanket

I often steal this blanket to use myself! Velvety soft, it's held up to lots of use in my home and frequent washes.

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PetFusion Premium Dog Cooling Blanket

If you'd like a soft blanket for your dog but are worried about their crate getting too warm for comfort, this one is for you. It feels like a poofy down blanket but wicks away body heat to keep your dog cool. I tried it myself during a heatwave and was impressed with how it stayed cool.

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Our Favorite Water Bowls for Crates

Midwest Snap'y Fit Stainless Steel Bowl

Midwest Snappy Fit Stainless Steel Crate Bowl

This bowl is easy to install into a wire-sided crate and can be used for food or water. It can take some finagling to securely push it in or to remove for refills, and some puppies like to play with the water in the bowl rather than drink it. Make sure it's placed at the correct height for your dog, not too low that they start to play in it, but not too high that they can't drink comfortably.

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Choco Nose No-Drip Dog Water Bottle

This is what I use in my dogs' crates, as it's no-mess, easy on and off for refills, and they took to it right away. Most dogs just need a quick demonstration of how to lick to get water, but you can also smear a small bit of peanut butter to help them. Check out the video below of Preventive Vet pup, Finnegan, using his Choco Nose that's attached to his Mid West crate.

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Potty Pads for Your Dog's Play Pen

Fresh Patch Disposable Dog Potty with Real Grass

I much prefer real-grass indoor potty areas to paper, cloth, or artificial grass options. They can help you transition to outdoor-only potty training much easier, are less likely to be considered bedding or something to chew on by your puppy, and have you ever tried cleaning an artificial grass potty spot? It's disgusting and usually ends with just throwing away the artificial grass portion.
But these real grass spots are meant to be tossed when all used up! Ideal for apartment-dwellers and for puppy owners without puppy-safe grass areas for potty breaks. Choose from a variety of sizes and how frequently you'd like a new Fresh Patch automatically delivered when setting up your subscription.

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Mighty Pee Pads

These potty pads have a sticky backing that keeps them from sliding around, bunching up, and make it harder for a puppy to pull up and chew. Extra absorbent and made with activated charcoal to help mitigate odor.

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Frisco Potty Training Pads

These pads have built-in attractant to encourage a dog to potty on the pad rather than elsewhere. Buy in bulk and choose from scented or unscented options.

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Soothing Options for Your Dog's Crate and Pen

Consider the below products to create a safe and soothing crate or pen environment. Using food-stuffed chew toys and puzzles can help create positive associations with the crate.

SmartPetLove Snuggle Puppy

This is an absolute MUST for new puppies. Transitioning from sleeping with littermates to sleeping alone is tough for a young puppy, and the Snuggle Puppy mimics sleeping with another dog. Use the heartbeat insert and/or warming pack to provide extra comfort.
When I picked up my puppy from his breeder, I brought along the Snuggle Puppy and let his mother and littermates roll all over it to transfer their scent to it.

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Adaptil Diffuser

This synthetic calming dog pheromone mimics the pheromones a mother dog emits when nursing her puppies. Results depend on individual dogs, and it's always a good idea to stack the deck in your favor when it comes to creating a "zen" area for your puppy's crate.

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Adaptil Calming Travel Spray

Spritz just one or two sprays of this pheromone spray on your puppy's crate bedding or in their travel crate.

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MidWest Homes for Pets Dog Crate Cover

Covering your dog's crate can help block early morning light, muffle sounds, and creates a more "den-like" private space. Some dogs do better with a crate cover, and others may prefer to be able to see what's going on outside their crate.

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SNOOZ White Noise Sound Machine

I don't know what I'd do without my SNOOZ machine every night. Not only do I need some white noise to sleep soundly, but this was incredibly useful with my puppy to mask outdoor noises when we lived on a busy city block. Now it masks the outdoor sounds in a very quiet (sometimes too quiet) suburban neighborhood that would otherwise cause my dogs to alert bark.

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West Paw Toppl Interactive Feeder

These stuffable toys are ideal for puppies just learning how to use food puzzles. The opening is nice and large, preventing frustration that many dogs experience when they can't reach that last little bit of food, and makes stuffing and cleaning a breeze. Plus, they're dishwasher safe!

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West Paw Qwizl

This toy stands up to quite a lot of chewing! You can place treats inside for your dog to work at or use it as a bully stick or long chew holder (Note: you should always supervise your dog with bully sticks, as they can easily become a choking hazard, even with a bully stick holder).

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KONG Puppy Chew Toy

A true classic when it comes to dog chew toys! The puppy version of the KONG is made from a softer rubber that's gentle on puppy teeth and gums. Stuff it and serve for crate time enrichment, or stuff and freeze before giving it to your puppy for longer-lasting entertainment.

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Tuffy 3 Way Dog Tug Toy

If your puppy prefers a softer texture for their chew toys, this Tuffy stuffy is made to last. It also doubles as a great tug toy when you need something to redirect your puppy to when they try to nip at your hands.

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Crate Safety

If your dog must wear a collar in their crate or pen, please use a breakaway dog collar to lessen the risk of strangulation if the collar gets caught.

PetSafe KeepSafe Breakaway Dog Collar

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