Ready to replace your dog’s ugly metal dog crate with nice quality dog crate furniture? We all get to that point after looking at that ugly crate for weeks, while our puppy is house trained!
A metal crate is great for potty training your new puppy, but there comes a time in every dog owner’s life when they are ready to move on.
You still want your Bichon near you, but she needs a better place to get a little shut-eye but still be near the family.
Sure, it was fine when your puppy was little and learning to toilet outside. It was definitely worth having because it kept your house clean and your puppy safe. But now it has served its purpose.
And you’re ready to get rid of it. Or at least store it in the garage until you need it for other purposes. Keep in mind that a folding metal crate is handy for traveling with your dog.
But the remaining issue is that you still need a quiet place for your Bichon to go, when she wants to escape from your kids or grand kids and take a rest.
Or you need a safe place to put your Bichon when you need to go out to run an errand or you get company that doesn’t like dogs.
What’s the solution?
Furniture Grade Dog Crates
Fortunately someone out there understands our plight! We can now purchase dog crates that also serve as furniture in our living areas. Made by furniture companies, they are nicely finished, not rough and poorly constructed.
You have your choice of:
- End tables
- Night tables – the same as end tables, but used next to your bed in the bedroom
- Credenzas – great if you have two or more dogs.
There are a number of finishes and colors available, so you should be able to find something that works reasonably well with your decor.
Is Dog Crate Furniture for You?
Dog crate furniture is certainly more attractive than your dog’s metal dog crate. And, it takes less space. It also serves a dual purpose. It houses your dog and serves as a table or other piece of furniture.
Remove the metal crate from your room and replace it with a piece of furniture, and your room looks more spacious again. Your puppy now has a permanent place to hang out, near you.
But, don’t consider getting a furniture dog crate too soon. Your puppy needs to be potty trained, as you certainly don’t want to risk his soiling a beautiful piece of furniture! Urine odor and bacteria are very difficult to remove from wood.
And, if you have a chewer, you’ll need to curb that bad habit before you buy a wooden crate. Dog crate furniture, by its very nature is simply not chew-proof.
Keep in mind that dog furniture has a specific purpose and can’t be used like a metal dog crate.
In addition, most furniture dog crates are not collapsible and can’t go with you when you travel.
Dog Crate End Table or Night Stand
These pieces are interchangable, and their purpose depends on where you intend to use them. A Bichon Frise can usually use a small or medium size dog crate.
As an adult, your dog should be able to sit in her crate, stand in her crate and lie down comfortably.
An end table is a good size for a Bichon. As your dog matures, she should not be confined in her dog crate for long periods of time, with the door closed.
Some dog crates are made of rubber wood and can be used outdoors, as well as indoors. And some are made of a plastic that looks like wood.
Quality Furniture Dog Crates
Of course furniture dog crates are not all alike. Some will necessarily be better quality than others. The best ones are quality furniture, with or without your dog.
Look for these qualities in your dog crate:
- Secure latches, for when you have to leave her in her crate
- Easy cleaning
- Easy assembly
- Sturdy construction
- A removable tray, just in case your dog has an accident
- Door opening in a convenient location (This depends on where you will put the crate in your room.)
- Air circulation – There should be some holes or vents to make sure that your dog is getting plenty of air and is not too hot in warm weather.
- Solid sides – if your dog is an anxious or nervous dog, solid sides can help him feel secure and safe.
These end table dog crates are well suited for Bichon Frises:
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