Crate/Kennel or Carrier: Whats the difference?
Question by mrprov12: Crate/Kennel or Carrier: Whats the difference?
I am the soon-to-be owner of a Boston Terrier puppy. I’m shopping around for the things I’ll need, and I was wondering what the difference was between a crate/kennel and a carrier. Do I need both? Neither? Can dogs sleep in them? Or do I need to get a bed also?
Also, could you tell me a few of the other things I’ll need? Do you have any recommendations on brands or types?
And is padding for the crate worth it? For the sides?
And do puppy pads work? Are they useful?
Thanks, yall 
Best answer:
Answer by pissedoffcupcake
Health for you and your new upcoming puppy. Crates usually tend to be plastic, and kennels tend to be metal, this isn’t in all instances though. Either one will suit your puppy but you have to make sure it isn’t too big or too small because it’s used as a method to potty train them as well as be a home when you’re not around. Puppy pads are useful and help if you’re not around and a dog must have padding for the crate, not necessarily for the sides, but of course for the bottom.
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Tagged with: Boston Terrier • Boston Terrier Puppy • Carrier • Crate/Kennel • difference • dogs • health • Instances • Puppy Crates • Shopping • Sleep • Train • What's
A kennel is an outdoor, fenced and gated structure. A crate is usually a wire or hard plastic indoor unit with a door. The wire variety is nice b/c it lets your pet see what’s going on all around him/her. A carrier is usually a soft-sided, luggage or purse like unit. I prefer use a crate at home, and I use a carrier for trips to doggie park and the vet’s office. I’d wait on the padding ’til you know what your Boston likes. Be sure to have plenty of dog toys for your little one. Also, my pups enjoy their grooming sessions, so be sure to have tear-free shampoo and a brush available. Finally, puppy pads have always worked for my dogs. There is an attractant in them than makes puppies want to pee/poo on them.
A crate that’s made of heavy wire (like Precision, or similar brand) is best for in the house or traveling. A soft crate (like a Sherpa or a Doggone Good Cabana crate) is lighter and more portable, but many people recommend that you don’t start a puppy in one of those as they can easily destroy it and thus create bad, crate-destroying habits.
I’d get a puppy a plain wire crate with a door that’s easy to open. I’ve found these used (for cheap!) on Craigslist in all sizes. The other good thing about open wire crates is that it’s very easy to drop treats in the crate when the dog’s in there, which is reinforcing for the dog. It’s harder to throw treats into a crate that you have to unzip.
I never used puppy pads for my dogs; I’ve always rewarded for pottying outside. I don’t like having 2 different sets of criteria for a dog – if it’s very clear where it’s OK for them to potty, it’s much easier for them.
HTH!
The crate/kennel is for the dog to sleep in and to stay in when your gone. The carrier is used when going to vet ect.Carriers/kennels help a puppy learn bladder/bowel control. I only have a carrier and my dog sleeps in it also. We do have a bed that fits into th carrier so she will have something soft to sleep on but I take it out when we take her somewhere we do not have padding for the sides I felt it would impare her ability to breathe. Puppy pads do work. We started training from the first day we brought her home. First we put the pad just out side of her (kennel) carrier. A puppy will try not to potty where she sleeps so when we would put her in her crate we would say kennel up and then when she was let out 2- hours or so latter she would potty on the pad after a few days we moved the pad closer to the door eventually we were able to do away with the pad and she only goes outside.. Also if your puppy is out and playing she will sometimes go to the pad if you do not catch her in time to go out. At the beginning she may potty in the carrier if this happens it is because she was in to long and could not hold it.
Most carriers are crates. You’ll need to decide on size and mesh vs plastic vs wire.
I started with crates for a full grown dog of my dog’s breed type.
I like the wire kennel in the house, but prefer the plastic “Furrari” brand for travel in the car. I feel that in the event of an accident, plastic will hold its’ structure and will rebound back to it’s origional shape if crumpled while the dog is inside, unlike most wire kennels. It would also give him a few extra seconds of protection if the car burst into flames from an accident that a wire kennel would not. This particular style has quick release clamps that could also prove helpful if seconds counted to save him in an accident. There is a preferred brand of wire kennel for vehicles that is more reinforced for safety that many show handlers swear by.
With a puppy, you may concider an X-pen. This is free standing and can give a puppy more room to romp. They have the enclosure of a kennel without feeling quite so confined. My friend used this and was able to set a smaller crate inside the x-pen with the door off. Her puppy could go in and out of the crate freely and did not experience the same anxioty that many dogs get when first learning to be kenneled. She also put a puppy pad in the x-pen, but outside of the crate and the puppy quickly learned not to potty in the crate, but had a specific area to potty while she was at work and not able to take the dog out for frequent potty trips.
I don’t recomment a mesh crate until your dog is completely crate trained and not prone to any anxioty of strange noises. It is way to easy for them to get out of the mesh is they decide they no longer wish to be contained.
It’s fine for dogs to sleep in their crates. Think of the crate as their own room. If they know you won’t bug them there, they will retreat to it when they don’t want others to be bothering them. It is a very happy place and not a place for punishment. Many young dogs cannot handle a pad or padded bed. They will shred it. Use a towel at first, it is also easily laundered in case of accidents.
Have fun with your puppy and remember to always set them up for success when training.