So you bought yourself a new crate? If it didn’t come already prebuilt, then you’re going to need a guide to help you figure out how to assemble a dog crate. That’s where we come in.
What Kind of Dog Cage
Assembling your own dog cage is going to differ from cage to cage. Do you have something more complex and heavy-duty dog crate, or do you have something more simple like cheap and affordable dog crates?
Wire
Wire crates are by far the easiest crates to assemble. They are also most likely going to be the type of crate you get because of how cheap and easy they are to maintain.
Once you get your crate out of the box, you need to lift the top layers. They should already be connected, so you don’t have to worry too much. The top layer should be the front and back of the crate. Have someone hold them up for you as you lift the second layer.
The second layer should be the sides and top of the crate. There should be hooks on the side of the wire sides. When you figure out which sides go where all you need to do is hook them in place. Don’t forget to place the plastic bottom where it needs to go so that the dog doesn’t have to walk on bare wire.
You’re done! Now all you need to do is test your crate out to make sure it’s durable enough to house your dog. If you are dealing with dog crates with dividers, simply fit it into the area of the crate you need it for.
If you want to deconstruct your crate, just follow the steps above, but in reverse order. It may take a few tries folding it back into place, but you’ll get it.
Plastic Portable Carrier
These plastic carriers are made with thick, durable plastic for travel purposes [1].
Portable and travel dog crates usually come with three main parts-A top, bottom, and door. There should also be some drop pins or screws to hold the top and bottom parts in place.
The three parts fit together like a puzzle piece. Take the bottom part and lay it on the ground. Make sure your door is fitted into its correct location. If you try and fit the top part on at this point, you’ll have an even harder time putting in the door. Have someone help you if you are experiencing trouble.
Take the top half and make sure the door fits in the door space before completely lowering it to fit over the bottom half of the carrier. This part can be tricky.
Take the drop pins and screw them in the available holes along the side. You should be able to do this by hand. You’re done.
Heavy-Duty Metal Crates
These crates are big and tough and likewise are a little harder to assemble than regular wire crates. If you do ever buy one, it should come with instructions to tell you how to assemble it. Even so, here is a brief summary of the steps you’ll need to assemble a metal dog crate.
Set up your side and back panels by holding them in place. You may need two people for this. Make sure the supporters are faced inwards. Attach the panels by screwing them in. You should be able to hand screw them in for now.
Remember those supporters? Now you need to slide in the bottom piece over those supporter plates. You should be able to screw in the bottom panel to the back panel for extra support.
Attach the front and top panel to the crate. Screw them inappropriately. Make sure all the screws are tight.
After finishing all these steps, you should have a durable enough crate. Some metal crates come with castor wheels. You can choose to use them or not. If you do, flip your crate upside down, fit the wheels in the appropriate places, and screw them in. That’s all it takes.
Wooden Crates
These crates are DIY ones built by you to fit your dog’s special needs. They can be made of wood or wire and are usually more complex to assemble. You’ll need plenty of tools such as wood, hammers, measuring tape, safety gloves, and anything else you’ll need when woodworking. Check here to see the types of materials you’ll need for your wooden crate.
Once you have all the materials, you’ll need to organize them in the order you will need them. Make the walls and door first.
Once all the walls are made, use the above instructions for the metal cage to get an idea of how to set the kennel up. There are going to be a few key differences, like the added steps of assembling your bottom pieces and the door but the concept should help you at least get an idea of what to do to start off with.
If you’re buying from a seller then you should have your parts prebuilt. You’ll just need to follow the instructions.
In reality, there are more than one ways to create a wooden crate. You can purchase a set of plans or try it from scratch. Just follow the directions carefully. Ask others for help when you need it, and happy building!
FAQ
Q. How do you assemble and disassemble a dog crate?
A. Wire crates are the easiest to assemble and disassemble. You simply fold the metal walls up and hook them in place.
Q. How do you set up a crate?
A. The crate should have instructions for assembly in the box, but in case you need more help, follow these quick instructions. First, attach your back and side panels and screw them in place. Make sure they face the right way since you’ll need the supporters to fit in the bottom panel. Fit in the bottom panel over the supporters and screw in place. Next, fit the front and top panels in and screw them in place as well. Finally, you can attach any wheels on by flipping your crate over and screwing them in.
Q. How do you assemble a drop pin dog crate?
A. You have three main parts to this crate. First, attach your door to its proper place in the bottom crate. Fit the top portion on top of the door and bottom piece. Finally, use the drop pins to fasten the top and bottom parts together.
