Best Dog Crates for Anxiety, Travel, & Indestructible Crates
The best dog crates for anxious dogs are sturdy and den-like. Travel crates should be padded for comfort, while escape artists need fortress-like steel crates, not wire or fabric.
Every dog has its own quirks. Some are nervous nellies, others are mini Houdinis; bending bars on wire crates like it’s an escape room. And then there are the restless travelers who just want to ride shotgun.
Dog crates are great for containment, but finding the right one—whether it’s for anxious pups, travel-ready durability, or an indestructible escape-proof crate—can feel like a cyber treasure hunt.
The 3 Best Dog Crates for Anxiety, Travel, and Even a (Near) Infallible Fortress
➢The Best Dog Crate for Anxiety: The Midwest Homes for Pets Dog Crate Kit
- 🟠 Folds flat for travel and easy storage
- 🟠 Double-door design offers flexible placement and easy access.
- 🟠 Leak-proof removable base makes cleaning simple and protects floors.
The Midwest Homes for Pets Dog Crate Kit is a reliable choice for anxious or reactive dogs that need a calm, enclosed space to feel secure. Its den-like cover blocks out visual distractions, and the sturdy wire frame offers durability without feeling harsh or restrictive. It’s a well-rounded crate for everyday use, training, or downtime when your dog needs a place to decompress.
Best for:
Anxious dogs, reactive dogs, or dogs that struggle to settle in general.
Pros:
- Fitted with rubber feet to prevent floor scratches.
- Rounded corners and low door thresholds for added safety.
- Leak-proof, removable plastic base for easy cleaning.
- Folds flat for transport and storage.
- Double-door design offers flexible placement and easy access.
Cons:
- May need DIY reinforcement for destructive or escape-prone dogs—the wire won’t withstand extreme force.
- Bulky to move or fit into smaller cars.
- The included bed is thin and made with synthetic fibers—fine to start, but you’ll likely replace it.
Worth Noting:
This is a 3-part kit containing the crate, a bed, and a cover. Dividers to fit the crate are sold seperately.
My Take:
We started with two large Midwest crates for our Staffies. They quickly claimed one as a shared den, and it’s never failed us. One stays set up with a cover as their quiet retreat, while the other folds away for holidays.
The cover truly transforms it—a dark, calm space that’s ideal on fireworks night. Most standard cushion beds fit neatly inside, and the wire bars are sturdy enough to hold a clip-on water bowl. For anxious dogs, this crate kit is a dependable, comfort-focused choice.
Find the latest deals on the complete Midwest Dog Crate Kit!
➢ Best Portable Dog Crate: The Elitefield
- 🟠 Three access points — front, side, and top — make travel setup easy.
- 🟠 Breathable mesh panels for great airflow and visibility.
- 🟠 Lightweight, fold-flat design with carry bag for effortless transport.
When your dog’s as ready for adventure as you are, the EliteField 3-Door Folding Soft Dog Crate is an easy travel companion. It’s the portable crate you can fold up, pack in the boot, and have ready for hotel stays, road trips, or lazy afternoons at a campsite.
This crate hits the sweet spot for dogs who are already crate-trained and don’t test the limits of soft sides. With three mesh doors and plenty of airflow, it feels open yet secure — more “canine glamping” than “dog jail.”
The extra width and height give your dog room to stretch, and it’s available in a wide range of sizes and colours, so you can match it to your travel setup.
Like most soft crates, it’s not built for chewers or escape artists. If your dog treats zippers as a puzzle to solve, you’ll want a sturdier metal crate instead. But for calm, travel-savvy dogs who see their crate as a home base, this one offers encouraging comfort and convenience.
My take:
The EliteField’s mix of portability, ventilation, and soft comfort makes it ideal for road trips and stays away from home. It’s best for dogs who’ve already learned crate manners — the ones who’ll curl up and nap after a long hike, not test the seams.
If you think your dog might still push the boundaries, try tossing in one or two of these best durable dog toys for aggressive chewers that you’re sure they won’t destroy.
Get the best price on the EliteField Soft Dog Crate
➢ The Best Near-Indestructible Dog Crate: The Trixie Double Transport Box
- 🟠 Sturdy aluminium frame with safety-lock doors.
- 🟠 Excellent airflow from wide bar spacing.
- 🟠 High sides keep mud and hair contained.
Ever seen dog-walkers pull up with sturdy cages in the back of their car or van? Those are dog transport boxes — and many everyday owners use them too.
Pros:
- Sturdy and secure: Aluminium construction provides a robust, stable setup with safety-lock doors.
- Excellent ventilation: Wide bars allow strong airflow, while the rear bars are positioned high to prevent paws reaching passengers.
- Keeps your car cleaner: High back and side panels contain mud and shedding hair.
- Space-saving design: Slanted front sides fit neatly into most car boots.
Cons:
- Heavier build: Its sturdiness makes it trickier to move between vehicles.
- Slippery base: Can get slick if your dog’s wet — a non-slip mat helps
- Mixed materials: The wood sections aren’t as tough as the aluminium frame.
Worth noting:
While the mixed materials could be weak points in an open setting, this crate is designed for use in vehicles where the surrounding space prevents escape attempts. Adding a non-slip mat or rubber liner also improves grip and comfort for longer trips.
That said, the larger model (with the divider removed) gives enough room for most medium-sized dogs to stretch out comfortably. Some owners use it as a travel crate for overnight stays or hotel trips. For escape-prone dogs that need an everyday crate, it could also work indoors if placed securely — for example, on a carpeted area or tucked under a desk, or table, to prevent movement.
Also noteworthy:
TRIXIE is a German brand, and this crate is listed on their official site as being tested under Austria’s Tierschutzkonform animal welfare label (inspection number 2015100014). That certification ensures the product meets Austrian standards for animal welfare, though it’s not an official UK designation and doesn’t appear on the Amazon UK listing. It’s still a reassuring sign of quality for EU-made pet products.
My Take:
The first time I saw one in action was in a friend’s car during a group walk. We had four Staffies between us — two ours, two theirs. After a run through the countryside, all four piled into the crate for the ride home, comfortably separated by the divider. Whether it was this exact model or not, I can’t say, but it worked flawlessly for that setup.
What I like most is how practical it is: no muddy boot liners to constantly wash, no loose dogs bouncing around, and plenty of airflow. For anyone regularly travelling with one or two dogs, this box is a sturdy, long-term solution that’s worth its space in the boot.
Find the best prices for the Trixie Double Transport Box for Dogs here.
A Buyer’s Guide to Dog Crates: Matching the Crate to Your Dog’s Needs
Choosing a dog crate isn’t just about size — it’s about purpose. The best crate matches your dog’s personality and your lifestyle. Whether you’re calming an anxious pup, traveling regularly, or need a fortress for an escape artist, here’s how to find the right fit.
1. Crates for Anxious or Reactive Dogs
If your dog tends to stress easily, comfort and security come first. Look for crates that feel like dens — enclosed, quiet, and secure. Wire crates with fitted covers (like the MidWest Homes iCrate Kit) help reduce visual distractions and create a calm retreat.
Opt for softer bedding and position the crate in a quiet corner of the home. For dogs sensitive to noise, you can also try white noise or gentle calming music to mask external sounds.
2. Crates for Travel and Mobility
For dogs who join you on road trips or weekends away, portability and ventilation are key. Soft-sided crates such as the EliteField 3-Door Folding Crate fold flat, making them easy to move and store.
Choose travel crates that are light enough to lift but sturdy enough to feel secure in the car. Breathable mesh panels and multiple access doors make loading and cleaning easier while keeping dogs cool and comfortable during trips.
3. Crates for Escape Artists or Power Chewers
Some dogs are natural problem solvers — they’ll test zippers, bend bars, or paw at weak points. If that sounds familiar, durability should top your list. Heavy-duty options like the Trixie Aluminium Double Transport Box combine strength and structure, giving determined dogs fewer opportunities to push limits.
Look for crates made from reinforced materials with secure latches, and consider placement — a car boot or enclosed space adds an extra layer of safety if your dog’s an escape expert.
Making the Crate a Comfort Zone
Once you’ve chosen the right crate, make it a place your dog wants to be. Use familiar bedding, include a safe chew toy, and keep it positive. Short time-outs are fine — just avoid overdoing it to the point your dog starts to associate the crate with punishment.
When you read guides saying never use the crate as punishment, it really means not to make your dog fearful of it.
The crate can be useful for short cool-downs when your dog’s overstimulated — just keep it calm and consistent, not as a scolding. The goal is to help them reset, not to isolate or frighten them.
If this is your first dance with crate training, start slowly. Leave the door open at first, reward calm behaviour, and build short stays into your daily routine. Over time, your dog will start to see it as their safe space, not confinement.
You may also be keen to know more about what to put in a dog crate to make it as calm and relaxing as possible.
For anxious dogs, calming aids can make a big difference. Gentle scents or ambient noise can help create a more peaceful environment — and yes, soothing dog music is totally a thing. It helps tune out background noise and keep your dog relaxed during naps or downtime.
To Wrap Things Up
Each of these crates serves a different need:
The right crate gives your dog a secure spot to rest and travel safely — and gives you peace of mind knowing they’re comfortable, contained, and happy.
FAQs
What’s the best dog crate bed for chewers?
The best dog crate beds for chewers are made from ballistic nylon, ripstop fabric, or heavy-duty canvas. These materials resist tearing far better than plush or faux-fur covers.
Whatever you choose, remove any tags or labels — they’re usually the first target. Avoid beds with exposed zippers, as they can tempt dogs to chew during teething or anxiety. A padded bed with a zipper on the base and a tight fit inside the crate makes it harder for dogs to grip and tear.
What’s the best dog crate with a divider for potty training?
The MidWest Homes for Pets Dog Crate Kit is ideal for house-training because it has a leak-proof, removable base that’s easy to clean.
While the kit doesn’t include a divider (it’s sold separately), you can get the same effect by placing a smaller bed inside the crate during puppyhood, then switching to a full-size bed once your pup is out of the leaky phase. Keeping the crate just big enough for your dog to lie down and turn comfortably discourages accidents and makes cleanup simple.
What size of dog crate do I need?
Choose a crate one size up from your dog’s breed category so they can stretch, turn, and lie down comfortably.
As a rule of thumb:
– Small breeds → Medium crate
– Medium breeds → Large crate
– Large breeds → XL crate
For example, Staffies are medium-sized dogs, but a large crate gives them room to sprawl out or share comfortably if two live together.
A properly sized crate should let your dog stand fully upright, turn around easily, and lie flat without touching the sides or top. If you’re buying for a puppy, choose a crate that allows divider panels so it can grow with them.
Are there any crash-tested dog crates?
Yes — some dog crates are crash-tested by independent organisations like the Center for Pet Safety (CPS) in the U.S. and Testfakta in Europe.
The Center for Pet Safety is a U.S. non-profit that uses Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS 213) procedures — the same used for child car seats — to test how crates perform in simulated crashes. Crates that pass can display the “CPS Certified” badge. Notable examples include the Gunner Kennels G1 and the Lucky Kennel by Lucky Duck.
In the UK and Europe, there isn’t an official crash-testing authority, but independent labs like Testfakta in Sweden conduct similar crash simulations based on ECE R17 automotive safety standards. Brands such as MIMsafe Variocage and 4pets ProLine have been tested to these criteria.
For owners who travel often, crates tested by CPS or Testfakta offer the highest proven safety standards, though they tend to cost more than regular travel crates.