Shih Tzu Expert

Here You can find everything about Shih Tzu dogs. Best dog Food, Grooming tips and advice, Training and Health issues of Shih Tzu and other small breed dogs

  • Food
  • Health
  • Dog Grooming
    • Dog Clippers
    • Other Grooming Tools
    • Grooming Products
    • Grooming Tips
  • Dog Safety
    • GPS Dog Collars
    • GPS Dog Fences
    • In ground dog fences
    • Wireless Dog Fences
  • Dog Training
  • About

Impact Dog Crate Review

By Elma | Last Updated June 4, 2020

We may earn commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Learn more

Impact Dog Crate Review – Is this the best option for your dog?

Responsible dog owners understand that crate training their dog(s) is imperative to the dog’s emotional, as well as physical well-being. All dogs deserve a safe space to call their own, a space that mimics a den that a dog would have in the wild. A safe space to be able to take time to chill out within, whenever life might stress the dog out a bit. And to be kept safely and comfortably within, if their owners need to leave the dog alone, rather than take the risk of them getting hurt and/or getting into something that is dangerous / toxic or deadly, while their owner is gone.

However, deciding which dog crate is best for their beloved canine companion, out of the countless brands, and types of dog crates that are available within the dog crate market, can be a very difficult and overwhelming task for any conscientious pet owner. This article can help dog owners make a good decision when purchasing a dog crate, by way of providing dog owners with not only a multitude of information about the different types of dog crates that are manufactured and sold by Impact Dog Crates, but this article also includes a wealth of imperative information (as well as links to additional, valuable resources) about the critical things that all dog owners must consider when purchasing a dog crate, including what to always check carefully when buying a dog crate, as well as the safety and risk factors associated with using a dog crate, including the critical tips and warning that all dog owners who use a dog crate to contain their dog, at any point in time, must be aware of and fully understand.

In the market of dog crates, it is a fact that Impact Dog Crates are among the best options for dog containment. Impact Dog Crate manufactures confidently state that their crates are “the world’s toughest dog crates,” made from the highest quality, military-grade materials. Impact Dog Crates believes in the durability of their products, so much, that all of the dog crates that they make and sell come with a lifetime guarantee. Impact Dog Crates are hand-crafted in the U.S.A., and manufactures claim that these crates are 100% escape-proof, even for the most determined of dogs. Additionally, each Impact Dog Crate is made out of high-quality American aluminum, that is finished with a non-toxic powder-coating in order to create a corrosion-resistant shield for the entire dog crate. The light-weight aluminum body also makes the Impact Dog Crates 20% lighter than similarly designed crates. Despite their lighter weight, manufactures claim that these crates are strong and durable enough to handle even the most determined chewers and scratchers.

In this article, four of the different types of dog crates that are manufactured by the Impact Dog Crate brand will be discussed, in detail, including each crate’s description, key features, the sizes and specific (dimensions) that are available for each type of crate, including information about what size dog each crate is recommended for, as well as the total weight of each crate. Followed by information about the overall pros and cons of using Impact Dog Crates.

Impact Dog Crate Review

Contents

  • 1 IMPACT DOG CRATE REVIEWS
  • 2 PRODUCT 1: Impact High Anxiety Collapsible Dog Crates
  • 3 PRODUCT 2: Impact Collapsible Dog Crates
  • 4 PRODUCT 3: Impact Stationary Dog Crates
  • 5 PRODUCT 4: Impact Hybrid Dog Crates
  • 6 OVERALL BENEFITS OF IMPACT DOG CRATES
  • 7 OVERALL PROBLEMS OR CONS OF IMPACT DOG CRATES
  • 8 CRITICAL THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING A DOG CRATE
  • 9 SAFETY / RISK FACTORS OF USING A CRATE – CRITICAL TIPS AND WARNINGS
  • 10 IMPACT DOG CRATE SAFETY
  • 11 IMPACT DOG CRATE CRASH TEST
  • 12 IMPACT DOG CRATE FINANCING OPTIONS
  • 13 HOW TO CONTACT IMPACT DOG CRATES
  • 14 IMPACT DOG CRATE ACCESSORIES
  • 15 CONCLUSION

IMPACT DOG CRATE REVIEWS

PRODUCT 1: Impact High Anxiety Collapsible Dog Crates

Product Description and Key Features: These dog crates are the most popular of all of the crates made by Impact Dog Crates, and for good reason. The Impact High Anxiety Collapsible Dog Crates, in particular, are highly recommended for use with dogs that suffer from separation anxiety, and/or dogs that are generally anxious, because of the ways in which the crate is specially designed and built for these types of dogs. Specifically, the Impact High Anxiety Collapsible Dog Crates are made with the highest-grade (.080”) 12-gauge American aluminum that is available in this market. These crates also feature four additional butterfly latches that are placed strategically throughout the crate’s exterior, for extra protection for your pup, and as a safety precaution for especially strong and/or smart dogs that are determined to escape.

As readers can see, the Impact High Anxiety Collapsible Dog Crates are hand-crafted to protect your beloved canine companion to the highest degree, by way of making self-harm and escape virtually impossible. Additionally, the air holes featured in the Impact High Anxiety Collapsible Dog Crates are smaller, and the door bars are placed closer together, in order to help prevent escape, or damage to your dog, or to the crate due to chewing. However, the air ventilation holes and front door bars still meet and even surpass air ventilation requirements for dog crates, and allow plenty of air to flow within the crate. Furthermore, the Impact High Anxiety Collapsible Dog Crates are the ONLY type of crates made by the Impact Dog Crates brand, that come with an additional Dog Damage Warranty that lasts for 2 years, during which owners can receive free replacement parts, if needed, with no questions asked. This crate is available in only one color, which is powder-coated gray, and comes in six different sizes, which are sizes 300, 400, 450, 500, 600 and 700 (see more details about what each size number means, below). The prices of the Impact High Anxiety Collapsible Crates range from $830.00+ for the smallest size crate available (medium), to $1,360.00+ for the largest size available (3X-large).

Sizes and Dimensions Crate is Available In: 300, 400, 450, 500, 600 and 700.

 

Size 300: Medium

Crate Dimensions: 20.50” wide by 25.69” tall by 30.50” long.

Recommended for Dogs: that are 20 – 25” long and 0 – 23” tall.

Total Weight of Crate: 45 pounds.

 

Size 400: Large

Crate Dimensions: 23.00” wide by 28.69” tall by 34.50” long.

Recommended for Dogs: that are 26 – 29” long and 0 – 26” tall.

Total Weight of Crate: 52 pounds.

 

Size 450: X-Large

Crate Dimensions: 23.00” wide by 28.69” tall by 40.50” long.

Recommended for Dogs: that are 30 – 37” long and 0 – 28” tall.

Total Weight of Crate: 56 pounds.

 

Size 500: 2X-Large

Crate Dimensions: 27.50” wide by 33.69” tall by 40.50” long.

Recommended for Dogs: that are 36 – 37” long and 29 – 31” tall.

Total Weight of Crate: 63 pounds.

 

Size 600: 2X-Large

Crate Dimensions: 26.50” wide by 33.69” tall by 42.50” long.

Recommended for Dogs: that are 36 – 37” long and 32 – 33” tall.

Total Weight of Crate: 68 pounds.

 

Size 700: 3X-Large

Crate Dimensions: 32.50” wide by 35.69” tall by 48.50” long.

Recommended for Dogs: that are 38 – 43” long and 0 – 33” tall.

Total Weight of Crate: 85 pounds.

 

PRODUCT 2: Impact Collapsible Dog Crates

Product Description: The collapsible dog crates that are made by the Impact Dog Crates brand are unique in that these crates are hand-crafted with high-quality (.063”) 14-gauge American aluminum, to be incredibly strong and durable, but despite their superior durability, the Impact Collapsible Dog Crates can be collapsed into an 8-inch tall, briefcase-size unit, that can be easily hidden or stowed away, at any time. Manufactures state that the assembly and collapsing of these dog crates is easy, and can be done in a matter of minutes by simply undoing the butterfly latches and lifting up, making sure that the tabs are on the inside of the crate, and latched (simply do this in reverse to collapse the crate). These crates are manufactured to be easy to carry, as well, with a built-in carrying-handle. Additionally, there are many laser-cut airholes located throughout each side of these dog crates to allow for plenty of airflow, surpassing ventilation regulations.

The Impact Collapsible Dog Crates are available in the following eight colors: gray, desert tan, purple, blue, black, teal, white, and lime green. These crates are available in sizes that range from small to 3X-large, including the following size numbers: 200, 300, 400, 450, 500, and 700 (see further details about what each size number means, below). The crates that are sizes 200 and 300 include one butterfly latch, in the middle, for easy assembly and collapsibility. The crates that are sizes 400, 450, 500, and 700 include two butterfly latches, due to their larger size. The prices of the Impact Collapsible Crates range from $550.00+ for the smallest size available (small), to $920.00+ for the largest size available (3X-large).

Sizes and Dimensions Crate is Available In: 200, 300, 400, 450, 500, and 700.

 

Size 200: Small

Crate Dimensions: 18.50” wide by 22.375” tall by 24.50” long.

Recommended for Dogs: that are 16 – 19” long and 0 – 19” tall.

Total Weight of Crate: 25 pounds.

 

Size 300: Medium

Crate Dimensions: 20.50” wide by 22.75” tall by 30.50” long.

Recommended for Dogs: that are 20 – 25” long and 0 – 23” tall.

Total Weight of Crate: 30 pounds.

 

Size 400: Large

Crate Dimensions: 23.00” wide by 28.75” tall by 34.50” long.

Recommended for Dogs: that are 26 – 29” long and 0 – 26” tall.

Total Weight of Crate: 35 pounds.

 

Size 450: X-Large

Crate Dimensions: 23.00” wide by 28.75” tall by 40.50” long.

Recommended for Dogs: that are 30 – 37” long and 0 – 28” tall.

Total Weight of Crate: 40 pounds.

 

Size 500: 2X-Large

Crate Dimensions: 27.50” wide by 33.75” tall by 40.50” long.

Recommended for Dogs: that are 36 – 37” long and 29 – 31” tall.

Total Weight of Crate: 45 pounds.

 

Size 700: 3X-Large

Crate Dimensions: 26.75” wide by 33.00” tall by 48.00” long.

Recommended for Dogs: that are 38 – 43” long and 0 – 33” tall.

Total Weight of Crate: 50 pounds.

PRODUCT 2: Impact Collapsible Dog Crates

PRODUCT 3: Impact Stationary Dog Crates

Product Description and Key Features: The Impact Stationary Dog Crates were first designed and manufactured for U.S. Military and Police working dogs, with every aspect of safety, protection, and durability for long-term use, with strong and determined dogs, in mind. These crates are made from high-quality (.063”) 14-gauge American aluminum, and are in many ways, much like the collapsible crates. The only difference being that these crates are not collapsible, hence the stationary aspect of their name. Despite being a stationary design, the Impact Stationary Dog Crates include features that make these dog crates practical for travel, and completely airline compatible, including the fact that they are lightweight, stackable, and mobile.

The Impact Stationary Dog Crates are available in nine different colors, including: gray, desert tan, purple, blue, black, red, teal, white, and lime green. The Impact Stationary Dog Crates also come in a wide array of sizes that range from X-small to 3X-large, including size numbers: 100, 200, 250, 300, 400, 450, 500, 600, and 700 (see further details about what each size number means, below). The prices of the Impact Stationary Dog Crates range from $395.00+ for the smallest size available (X-small), to $900.00+ for the largest size available (3X-large).

 

Sizes and Dimensions Crate is Available In: 100, 200, 250, 300, 400, 450, 500, 600, and 700.

 

Size 100: X-Small

Crate Dimensions: 16.50” wide by 16.75” tall by 20.50” long.

Recommended for Dogs: that are 0 – 15” long and 0 – 14” tall.

Total Weight of Crate: 15 pounds.

 

Size 200: Small

Crate Dimensions: 18.50” wide by 18.75” tall by 24.50” long.

Recommended for Dogs: that are 16 – 19” long and 0 – 19” tall.

Total Weight of Crate: 21 pounds.

 

Size 250: Medium

Crate Dimensions: 20.50” wide by 22.75” tall by 30.50” long.

Recommended for Dogs: that are 20 – 25” long and 0 – 20” tall.

Total Weight of Crate: 28 pounds.

 

Size 300: Medium

Crate Dimensions: 20.50” wide by 25.75” tall by 30.50” long.

Recommended for Dogs: that are 20 – 25” long and 0 – 23” tall.

Total Weight of Crate: 30 pounds.

 

Size 400: Large

Crate Dimensions: 23.00” wide by 28.75” tall by 34.50” long.

Recommended for Dogs: that are 26 – 29” long and 0 – 26” tall.

Total Weight of Crate: 35 pounds.

 

Size 450: X-Large

Crate Dimensions: 23.00” wide by 28.75” tall by 40.625” long.

Recommended for Dogs: that are 30 – 37” long and 0 – 28” tall.

Total Weight of Crate: 40 pounds.

 

Size 500: 2X-Large

Crate Dimensions: 27.50” wide by 30.75” tall by 40.50” long.

Recommended for Dogs: that are 36 – 37” long and 29 – 31” tall.

Total Weight of Crate: 45 pounds.

 

Size 600: 2X-Large

Crate Dimensions: 26.50” wide by 33.75” tall by 42.625” long.

Recommended for Dogs: that are 36 – 37” long and 32 – 33” tall.

Total Weight of Crate: 50 pounds.

 

Size 700: 3X-Large

Crate Dimensions: 32.50” wide by 35.75” tall by 48.50” long.

Recommended for Dogs: that are 38 – 43” long and 0 – 33” tall.

Total Weight of Crate: 55 pounds.

 

PRODUCT 4: Impact Hybrid Dog Crates

Product Description and Key Features: The Impact Hybrid Dog Crates are also constructed out of high-quality (.063”) 14-gauge American aluminum, like the two types of crates detailed above. But these Impact Dog Crates are called Hybrid because of the fact that their hybrid design is meant to more closely resemble standard, wire dog crates. The Impact Hybrid Dog Crates are not collapsible. However, they are the only Impact Dog Crates that feature a removable floor pan for easy clean-up. These crates feature a butterfly door-latch for extra security, as well as an additional butterfly latch that can be found near the bottom of the crate for easy access to remove the removable floor pan, in order to clean up any potential messes that a dog may make. These crates are light enough to be carried with ease, yet offer stronger and more durable protection than any other comparable wire crate on the market, today. The open concept design and plethora of large ventilation holes offers more air flow than any of the other Impact models.

Unlike all of the Impact Dog Crates discussed above, the hybrid version has a black powder-coated finish (instead of gray), and the hybrid crate is only available in the black powder-coated finish color. The Impact Hybrid Dog Crates are also only available in two sizes, which are size numbers 400 and size 450 (see further details about what each size number means, below). At the time in which this review was written, the Impact Hybrid Dog Crates were sold out on the Impact Dog Crates website and everywhere else that dog crates are sold. However, research revealed that the smallest size available in this crate (large) can usually be purchased for around $415.00+ and the largest size available (X-large) usually costs about $515.00+.

 

Sizes and Dimensions Crate is Available In: 400 and 450.

 

Size 400: Large

Crate Dimensions: 26.75” wide by 26.125” tall by 34.25” long.

Recommended for Dogs: that are 26 – 29” long and 0 – 26” tall.

Total Weight of Crate: 28 pounds.

 

Size 450: X-Large

Crate Dimensions: 26.75” wide by 26.125” tall by 40.25” long.

Recommended for Dogs: that are 30 – 37” long and 0 – 28” tall.

Total Weight of Crate: 31 pounds.

 

OVERALL BENEFITS OF IMPACT DOG CRATES

  • Manufactures state that their dog crates are 100% escape-proof, even for the most determined of dogs.
  • Each crate is hand-crafted in the U.S.A., with the highest quality American aluminum, and comes with a lifetime guarantee.
  • Because the crates are made out of aluminum, which is non-porous, the crates are much more sanitary than crates made out of plastic.
  • The light-weight aluminum body that Impact Dog Crates uses for each crate that they manufacture, makes their crates 20% lighter than similarly designed dog crates.
  • Despite being lighter in weight, due to the aluminum body, manufacturers state that their dog crates are strong and durable enough to handle even the most determined chewers and scratchers.
  • Manufacturers claim that all of the dog crates that are made by Impact Dog Crates meet International Air Travel Requirements (IATA) and are compliant to all safety standards, and therefore ready to be taken on any commercial flight.
  • Each dog crate is made with reliable, carefully designed, and hand-crafted hardware that is far less likely to fail or fall apart, and therefore less likely to pose a risk for a dog to choke on a part of the crate, or escape the crate and get hurt, due to broken hardware.
  • Each Impact Dog Crate is finished with a non-toxic powder-coating in order to create a corrosion-resistant shield for the entire dog crate. The low heat capacity inherent in the aluminum, combined with the power-coating finish helps to reflect heat away from the crate, instead of absorbing it on warm days.
  • A few users report that there are no sharp edges, or hardware that protrudes out of these crates, making the Impact Dog Crates safer for dogs to be in, especially dogs that get scared / panic, and throw themselves around the crate.
  • Several users of the Impact Dog Crates have stated that these crates effectively contain difficult to contain dogs, and furthermore, share that these crates seem to minimize some dogs fear surrounding being locked in a crate, and help to calm some dogs that suffer from separation anxiety.
  • Users of these crates report that the Impact Dog Crates customer service representatives are very helpful and readily available, even at odd hours of the day, and always offer their customers helpful suggestions, and many options for solutions to the problems that they might be facing with their Impact Dog Crates.

OVERALL BENEFITS OF IMPACT DOG CRATES

OVERALL PROBLEMS OR CONS OF IMPACT DOG CRATES

  • Impact Dog Crates are one of the, if not the most expensive dog crates available within the market, today, and some users report that these crates are not worth the price.
  • Some users report that there are screws that come loose within these dog crates, even after making sure that the screws were securely tightened and in place, multiple times.
  • A few users report that the Impact Dog Crates are not fully indestructible, and that even their smaller dogs have, in fact, been able to chew through parts of the crate, with effort.
  • Several users report that the drill-holes for the airline rails are drilled in the wrong spots and do not allow for the airline bars to be used with the kennel, rendering them useless.
  • Users have also reported that with time and effort, their dogs have chewed apart the butterfly door-latches, even when it caused the dogs to sustain injuries and broken-teeth.
  • Several users report that the Impact Dog Crates require much more assembly time than they anticipated (approximately 45 minutes to one hour of assembly time) and that the assembly of these crates is quite difficult.
  • Users report that there is a metal bar located under the door of these crates and that dogs have been able to pull up the sharp edges of that bar up, rendering the crates unsafe for further use, and users also report that dogs have been able to bend and pry apart the door bars, as well as various other parts of the supposedly indestructible crates.
  • Several users report that collapsible crates are not, in fact, IATA approved, and therefore the Impact Collapsible Dog Crates do not meet International Air Travel Requirements and cannot be used to take a dog on a commercial flight, further research on behalf of the writer of this article confirmed this fact. Therefore, the Impact Dog Crates website writers are making false claims about their collapsible crates meeting IATA standards.
  • Some users complain that the lifetime guarantee / warranty that Impact Dog Crates provides customers with means noting because the company will not replace a crate, or any part of the crate due to anything that was “caused by a dog” (with the exception of the Impact High Anxiety Collapsible Dog Crate that has an additional, 2-year Dog Damage Warranty), the Impact Dog Crates lifetime guarantee ONLY covers crate parts that were damaged or broken while being manufactured, or during the shipping process.
  • Interestingly (or predictably) enough, Impact Dog Crates will not allow any negative reviews or comments to be posted to the reviews section on their website, for any one of the crates that they manufacture. Therefore, potential customers are unable to get a fair and accurate idea of whether or not these dog crates live up to what the company claims, meaning that potential customers must work hard and tirelessly, searching the internet for truthful reviews of Impact Dog Crates, anywhere other than on the Impact Dog Crates clearly biased website.

 

CRITICAL THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING A DOG CRATE

Check carefully, each of the following aspects of purchasing and using a dog crate.

Size: Size most certainly matters when it comes to the size of the crate that you use with your canine companion. This is because a dog crate that is too small for your dog will not only be uncomfortable and cramped for the dog to be in, a crate that is too small can also cause long term and permanent internal damage to the dog. The crate must always be big enough for the dog to comfortably stand-up all of the way, turn all of the way around in any direction, and stretch out with all four of his or her limbs fully extended. If your dog outgrows their kennel, a new one must be purchased. Therefore, it is best to plan for the size that your dog will grow to, not the size he or she is as a puppy.

However, there is a fine balance between too small and too big, when it comes to purchasing the perfect sized dog crate. Because on the other end of the size spectrum, if you use a crate that is too big for your dog, doing so can encourage the pup to use the bathroom inside of their kennel. Especially if there is enough space for the dog to relieve himself or herself without having to lay down in the poop or pee to get comfortable. This is why it is often recommended to buy a smaller, and less expensive wire crate to use while potty and crate training a small puppy, and save the expensive crate purchase for when your dog is fully grown (or close to), so that you can buy the correct size crate for training, without wasting money on an expensive one that the dog outgrows quickly. But even a temporary crate must always be safe and comfortable for the pup.

Furthermore, if the crate is too big for the dog, it will not allow for the dog to have a secure and comforted feeling while inside of the crate, due to the extra amount of space. Having the right sized crate for a domesticated house dog is akin to what a dog or wolf’s den would be for the animal in the wild, which is a safe space to retreat too, that is not too large and not too small. Therefore, all dog owners will want to use a crate that is the correct size, in order to mimic the space a dog would retreat to for safety and comfort in the wild. The good news is, with all of the different sizes that are available within the dog crate market, today, it should be fairly easy for all dog owners to find the right size crate for their dogs.

The Impact Dog Crates brand, in particular, manufactures dog crates from size extra-small for exceptionally small dogs, to 4X-Large, for exceptionally large or giant breed dogs. Dog owners can use this super helpful link to access the crate size calculator that can be found on the Impact Dog Crate website. To determine which dog crate size number is the best fit for any dog, simply measure the dog from the tip of their nose to the base of their tail (not including the length of their tail), and from the floor to the tips of their ears, and select the appropriate range for those two measurements, from the crate calculator’s drop-down menu, and a result with the ideal crate size number for that dog will appear.

Quality: The age old saying of “you get what you pay for” has stuck around in our vernacular for so long because it is often true. If you buy the cheapest dog crate that you can find, chances are it will be made out of cheap materials and inexpensive hardware, resulting in the crate being poor quality, overall. A poor quality and cheaply made crate might be okay to use with a very small and exceptionally calm dog. But still, the poorly made parts of the crate could come loose and fall off, presenting a choking hazard to your pet, which is very unsafe.

This doesn’t mean that the only high-quality and safe dog crates are the most expensive crates available in this market. All that this means is that if you would like a high-quality and safe dog crate, it is imperative that you, as the dog’s owner and advocate, complete a lot of research, such as reading articles like this one, in addition to reading unbiased customer reviews (usually not found on the dog crate manufacturer’s website), and always make yourself aware of all of the safety standards and risks of any dog crate you are interested in purchasing, before purchasing.

Material: There are dog crates that are made out of just about every material that you can think of, from plastic, to metal or steel, wood or wire, and also aluminum, which is the material that all of the Impact Dog Crates are made with. The material that you select for your dog’s crate will largely depend on the dog’s temperament and behavior in a crate as well as any allergies that your dog might have, (some dogs are allergic to plastic and some are allergic to steel), in addition to what you, as the dog’s owner, prefer aesthetically.

However, selecting a dog crate should always come down to what is the safest option for the dog, above all (including placing the dog’s safety above the owner’s preferences for what the crate looks like). The safety of your dog must always be your top concern. For example, if you have a dog who gets anxious in their crate and will do anything to escape, a plastic or wire crate most likely will not be the safest option for you because dogs, especially determined and/or large dogs can chew, or bend their way right through a plastic or wire crate. A crate that is weak and is not made to be durable against the brute force of a dog who wants to escape, throwing their weight around within the crate, will also not be good for a dog that is determined to get out.

This is precisely why Impact Dog Crates are some of the best dog crates available within the market, today. Especially for anxious and/or defiant dogs who do not like to be locked in their crate, and will do whatever it takes to escape. For these kinds of dogs, a weak and cheap dog crate could easily lead to an injury. For instance, if the dog chews a hole through the plastic, or bends the wires enough to attempt to squeeze their body through the opening that they made, he or she could easily end up being cut or punctured by the sharp and jagged edges of the broken and chewed up kennel. A dog can also chip or completely break off their teeth while trying to chew through, or bend the crate’s walls and bars. If a dog owner purchases and uses an Impact Dog Crate, the manufacturers claim that these will never be concerns that they will have to worry about. The designers and manufacturers of the Impact Dog Crates claim that these crates will keep even the most determined to escape dogs contained, stating that even the largest and strongest of all escape artists will be safely kept inside of an Impact Dog Crate, because they are hand-crafted to be virtually indestructible, using the highest quality, military-grade aluminum.

However, having an anxious dog that is attempting to escape his or her crate is never a good thing, and can be extremely upsetting to both the dog and their owner. If your dog suffers from anxiety and has difficulty with being shut in his or her crate, here are a few resources that you can read for further information, and suggestions for how to help your furry friend with this common concern. Crate Training 101 is an incredibly informative and exceptionally helpful article written and published by staff writers at the Humane Society. Crate Training Your Dog, is another amazing and extremely helpful article about this topic written and published by staff writers at the Denver Dumb Friends League. And last but not least, the following article published by Dogs Naturally Magazine, provides a plethora of information about natural remedies that can help dogs that suffer from anxiety, 6 Natural Solutions For Dog Anxiety.

Durability: Not all dog crates are made equally. Some crates are much more durable than others. For the kind of investment that you are going to make for the perfect dog crate, one that your canine companion can hopefully use for a lifetime, you will want to make sure that you purchase a product that is durable, and therefore safer for your dog. The crate’s frame, as well as all of the hardware and parts that keep the dog crate together, must be made out of high-quality and durable materials, ensuring that the crate is strong and sturdy against the most powerful of dogs.

Additionally, a durable crate is the only kind of crate that will potentially last for the dog’s entire lifetime, so paying a bit more money for a dog crate that is exceptionally durable makes sense. Because in the long-run, buying a well-made and durable dog crate will keep you from having to waste money on buying multiple dog crates, after one or more of them have been broken.

Maintenance: If the dog crate that you purchase is durable, it should not require much, if any maintenance. This is a very important aspect to consider because not only will you have to buy the new parts, and spent time putting the dog crate back together if it breaks, the lose parts are a major choking hazard to your dog.

Portability: This is especially important if you plan to have your dog travel anywhere with you. For portability purposes, it is important to purchase a crate that is readily able to go along with your pup, wherever you may roam. It is important to use the same crate that you use at home for traveling with your dog, so that they have that safe and familiar crate space to retreat into when they are feeling uncomfortable or anxious in new and unfamiliar environments, while traveling.

You will want to make sure that the travel compliant crate that you purchase is still very well-made and durable, in addition to meeting all air travel requirements for dogs. If you are interested in purchasing an Impact Dog Crate and you travel with your dog on public airlines, you are in luck, because the stationary crates made by Impact Dog Crates do in fact meet the International Air Travel Requirements (IATA) for containing dogs while traveling.

Travel Compliancy: As mentioned above, there are fairly strict and stringent requirements for which types of dog crates can be used to contain a dog on a commercial airline flight. These requirements are called the International Air Travel Requirements (IATA) and they are in place to ensure than both the dog, and all of the humans that are located anywhere near the dog, are kept safe.

Stationary Impact Dog Crates do, indeed, meet the IATA requirements and can therefore be used to contain a dog on a commercial airline flight. Which is very helpful for any dog owners who show their dog(s), and/or travel on airplanes with them. Any dog owner that is traveling by air with their pet should still make sure that he or she checks the most current regulations before buying a crate, and before taking it with them to travel on any commercial flight with their dog, as these safety standards are subject to change, at any point in time.

 

SAFETY / RISK FACTORS OF USING A CRATE – CRITICAL TIPS AND WARNINGS

 

There are a multitude of safety concerns and risk factors that all responsible dog owners must consider when purchasing and using a dog crate to contain their beloved canine companions. Below, readers will find discussions and details surrounding several of the many risk factors that must be considered, and fully researched before deciding which dog crate is best to use for a dog. Each of these aspects of using a dog crate to contain your precious pet must always be researched, checked carefully, monitored regularly, and watched out for, every single time that the dog crate is used to contain a dog.

Collars: It is commonly recommended that pet owners leave any and all collars off of dogs while they are in their crate for any period of time. This is because the collar can get stuck on any number of parts in the dog crate, causing the dog to suffer grave injuries, and even death.

Durability of Crate and All Parts: Dog owners will want to make sure that any crate that they use for their dog has durable parts that will not easily come loose and/or fall apart, leaving the dog at risk of swallowing any part of the dog crate, or risk the dog getting out on their own, while unsupervised, and getting into something in the house that could be dangerous and/or toxic to the dog.

Furthermore, if the dog crate is not durable, and a dog is able to chew through the crate’s walls or bend the wires enough to try to make his or her way out of the crate, they could easily cut or puncture themselves with the torn, sharp, and jagged broken parts of the crate that have been compromised. For these reasons, the durability of a crate and all of its parts must be guaranteed, in order to guarantee the safety of a pet.

Time Period of Confinement: Dog crates are meant to keep dogs safely confined for only very short periods of time. A dog should never be kept in a crate for longer than he or she can hold their urge to pee or poop. And a dog must always have easy access to plenty of fresh water, even while in their crate. A dog must always be given adequate potty and play breaks, at least every few hours throughout each day. If a dog’s owner is unable to do this due to their work schedule and/or any other commitments that he or she might have, it is imperative that the dog’s owner find a trusted friend or family member to do let their dog out for them, or hire an individual from any one of the many reputable and trusted dog walking and doggie day care services that exist.

For more information about how long puppies and adult dogs can and cannot be left alone and/or left in a crate, see the following articles: How Long Is Too Long to Leave Your Dog Alone? written by Dr. Karen Shaw Becker (DVM) and published by Dr. Joseph Mercola on his Healthy Pets website, and How Long is Too Long to Leave a Dog Alone? written by Nancy Tucker who is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA). Click here to be connected to a valuable online resource that busy dog owners can use to help find a wide-variety of affordable and professional dog walking service near their home.

Crate Location: Dog owners must always make sure that their dog’s crate is located in a temperature controlled environment, in an area of the home that always maintains a safe and steady temperature, especially during the hours that the dog is left alone in the crate. Some dog breeds are much more sensitive to hot and cold temperatures than others. However, for any breed of dog, a general guideline for what temperatures are too cold, is anything below 32 degrees, and too hot is anything above 85 degrees. A dog’s overall health, and age also has an impact on the temperature extremes that she or he can safely tolerate.

Additionally, a dog’s owner must take into consideration the fact that there is not as much air flowing into and through a dog’s kennel. Therefore, the temperatures inside of the kennel could soar well above the temperatures in the general area that the kennel is located in, especially in humid environments, or if the kennel is place in direct sunlight (which should NEVER be done). All of these factors must be taken into consideration when deciding where a dog’s kennel should be located, and the safest temperature to keep the room in which the dog’s crate is set-up within.

Crates in Vehicles: Going along with the above information about the fact that dog crates should always be placed in a safe, and temperature controlled location within the dog owner’s home, that is never too hot or too cold, a dog should never be left in their crate inside of a vehicle. It is commonly recommended by most, if not all pet safety and animal cruelty advocates that a dog should NEVER be left in a car alone, crate or no crate, no matter what the temperature outside is. This rule exists for several reasons. One, a dog could be harassed and/or stolen if he or she is left in their owner’s vehicle, alone. Also, a dog should not be left alone in a vehicle because there is a plethora of things that the dog could get into and destroy that could be toxic and harmful, even deadly to the dog, not to mention frustrating and expensive for their owner to fix and/or replace.

Furthermore, it is extremely important that all dog owners are aware of the fact that even when the temperature outside feels cool and comfortable, it is a completely different situation inside of a parked vehicle, even with the windows open. For example, in a pleasant outdoor temperature of only 70 degrees, a vehicle will heat up to a dangerous 89 degrees in ONLY 10 minutes time, and the vehicle will soar to an astonishing 104 degrees in a matter of 30 minutes, which is an extremely dangerous and deadly temperature for the dog who is left in a vehicle, even when it is only 70 degrees outside. Cracking the windows of a vehicle has been proven to do very little, if anything at all, to aid in cooling down the rapidly rising temperatures inside of a parked car. All of this should help dog owners to understand that there is never a time in which it is safe to leave a dog alone in a care. This is why 31+ states in America have passed laws against doing so, because hundreds of pets die every single year due to their owner’s taking this risk that is simply never worth it.

Read the following article published by Temperature Sensei, for further information about this topic, Temperature Guidelines for Leaving Your Dog In a Car (Everything You Need to Know). For more information about the laws surrounding leaving a dog in a parked car, for each state, see the following article published by the Animal Legal and Historical Center, Table of State Laws that Protect Animals Left in Parked Vehicles.

Scared or Anxious Dogs Can Hurt Themselves Trying to Escape a Crate: This is not an uncommon occurrence, unfortunately. Dogs that have separation anxiety and/or dogs that are anxious, in general, and are downright fearful of being in a crate have been known to break their teeth, rip off their own claws, and scratch themselves up very badly while trying to get out of a crate that they have been left in, before they were ready or properly trained. Like anything that you teach a dog, such as where to go potty, and when to eat their food, teaching a dog to be calm and comfortable when he or she is shut inside of a crate, requires training as well.

We, as their owners, cannot even imagine the kind of terror and panic a dog must be feeling to physically harm themselves in their attempt to get out of their crate. This behavior is NOT due to a dog being defiant, it is pure and utter terror that cannot be faked by a dog and should never be ignored. If your dog suffers from anxiety or fear surrounding their crate it is not okay to leave them in a crate until the issue has been fully addressed and resolved. This would be like leaving a person who has a deathly fear of spiders and snakes locked up in a tiny cage full of spiders and snakes. We would never condone doing such a horrible thing to a human being, and as such, a dog who has a fear of their crate should not be forced to be locked up in the crate.

Owners of anxious and fearful dogs have options, they can take their dog to a doggy daycare that lets the dogs roam free, both inside and outside, while the owner is at work, or they can hire a professional dog watcher and walker to come stay at their home with the anxious and fearful dog when they are not able to be there. And thankfully, there are a multitude of amazing resources available at all dog owner’s fingertips, via the world wide web, that can help the anxious or fearful dog’s owner to learn how to best address and remedy this anxiety and/or fear in their beloved pet. Here are a few of the millions of resources that can be read by a dog owner, in order to learn how to help their dog overcome their anxiety and fear surrounding being left alone in their crate: How to Crate Train a Fearful Dog in 5 Steps written by Mikkel Becker, who is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA), Certified Behavior Consultant Canine (CBCC-KA) and author of 6 dog training books. What to Do When Your Dog Hates His Crate written by Pat Miller (CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA). Dealing with Separation Anxiety in Dogs published by the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. And Dealing with Dog Separation Anxiety written by the well-known dog behaviorist Cesar Millan.

Children and Strangers: A dog’s crate is meant to be their quiet and safe space, that most closely resembles what their den would be to the dog in the wild, which is a location in which the dog can go to safely eat, relax, sleep, play with toys, or do anything that he or she would like to do, without being bothered by the outside world, and the other animals and people that surround them. Therefore, it is important that a dog owner never allows children, strangers, or even themselves to mess with or taunt the dog while she or he is in their crate. Doing so will teach the dog to associate bad things happening with being in their crate, and this will cause the dog to learn to dislike their crate, and therefore, not what to go into their crate any longer.

The same applies to using the crate as a form of punishment for a dog, which should never be done, or again, the dog will learn to associate a bad thing (being in trouble) with being in their crate, and will not want to use it. It is best to reward a dog with positive reinforcement in the form of high-value treats (chicken, cheese, hot-dogs) whenever they go into their crate, and simply leave the dog alone and instruct all others to do the same, whenever the dog is in their crate. If you do not do this, a dog could also become aggressive and lash out at a child, stranger, or even their owner. Therefore, it is extremely important that you give your dog their alone time, and space when he or she is in their crate, and teach every person who is around the dog to do the same. Read more about this topic and several of the other dog crate risk factors discussed above, in the following article, Crate Training: Times When You SHOULD NOT Crate Your Dog.

IMPACT DOG CRATE SAFETY

As far as safety goes, the Impact Dog Crates are among the safest dog crates available within the dog crate market, today. This is due to all of the aspects of Impact Dog Crates that are discussed in the review section of this article, including the high-quality and durable, American aluminum that each crate is hand-crafted out of. Additionally, the hardware that Impact Dog Crates utilizes in each crate that they make is meticulously designed in order to ensure that the hardware will not fall apart, posing a risk to your dog’s safety.

That being said, all of the research that the writer of this article completed in order to write an accurate and detailed review of the Impact Dog Crates did, unfortunately, reveal that some dog owner’s report that their dogs were able to chew the Impact Dog Crates hardware off, and even chew through certain parts of the Impact Dog Crates, resulting in sharp and dangerous jagged edges being left within the dog crate, the dangers of which are detailed above. So, even with use of the exceptionally strong and durable Impact Dog Crates, all dog owners must be diligent in always keeping a close eye on their dog, and constantly monitoring and carefully checking the state of the dog’s crate in order to ensure their dog’s safety.

The fact that the Impact Dog Crates are made out of strong and durable aluminum that is not porous in nature, like plastic is, makes the Impact Dog Crates more sanitary, which is a good safety feature for especially messy or dirty dogs, in addition to making these crates more difficult (but not impossible) for a dog to chew through or tear apart. Furthermore, some dogs are allergic to the plastic and steel that many dog crates are made out of, whereas it is much less likely for a dog to be allergic to powder-coated aluminum. For these reasons, and more, the Impact Dog Crates are some of the safest dog crates available, today. Please read more, below, about how Impact Dog Crates have been shown to hold up in motor vehicle accidents.

 

IMPACT DOG CRATE CRASH TEST

Although the Impact Dog Crates brand has not had any of their dog crates formally crash test rated, there are multiple, real-life accounts and testimonies that have been given by Impact Dog Crate owners and users, regarding the fact that having their dog in an Impact Dog Crate saved the dog’s life, during a horrific and terribly unfortunate motor vehicle accident that these dog owners were involved in, while their dog was located inside of the vehicle that was hit. But thankfully, the dogs were saved because they were safely inside of their Impact Dog Crate.

Please read the following articles to learn more about how being inside of an Impact Dog Crate saved these dog’s lives, when the vehicle that the dogs were inside of, was involved in a very serious motor vehicle accident: “An Unfortunate Experience Put My Impact Dog Crate to the Ultimate Test” and All 9 Dogs Safe in Rollover Accident While Traveling in Impact Dog Crates. Additionally, you can read this statement written by the Impact Dog Crates Team, discussing the value that Impact Dog Crates places on manufacturing dog crates that are strong enough to keep a dog protected during even the worst car crashes, Car Safety Isn’t Just for People Anymore.

IMPACT DOG CRATE FINANCING OPTIONS

IMPACT DOG CRATE FINANCING OPTIONS

Impact Dog Crates are expensive, there is no denying that. But they are also a very high-quality dog crate, and possibly one of the most escape-proof and durable options within the dog crate market, today. However, the Impact Dog Crate team understands that there are not many people who have set aside anywhere from $500.00 to nearly $2,000.00 dollars for their purchase of a dog crate. If a dog owner has decided that they do, indeed, want to purchase an Impact Dog Crate, but they do not have the money to pay for the crate that they would like to purchase, all at one time, Impact Dog Crates offers financing through a financing company named “affirm”. Affirm loans are processed through Cross River Bank, a Chartered Commercial Bank and member of the FDIC, that is located in New Jersey.

Dog owners who are interested in this financing option can easily apply for a loan through affirm, via the Impact Dog Crates Financing Options webpage, by simply clicking on the link in blue, and following the step by step directions. Applying for an affirm loan is quick and easy, and only requires the dog owner to enter a bit of information, in order to get an immediate answer to whether or not they meet the requirements for receiving a loan through affirm. Checking your eligibility for the loan, and finding out what your interest rate would be, will not affect your credit score. There are also no hidden costs or fees for this option, and no requirement to use the financing approval to make a purchase. Readers can also click here, to reach the official affirm website, in order to read more information about anything that they would like to know, that is not covered in the financing section of this article.

HOW TO CONTACT IMPACT DOG CRATES

Impact Dog Crates can be reached in the following three ways: (1) by calling them on the phone at 1-208-908-0118, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time (PST), (2) or go to this page on their website (https://www.impactdogcrates.com/pages/contact) and fill out an electronic message form with your name, email address, phone number (optional), and the message that you have for Impact Dog Crates, and simply hit the “Send Message” option in order to deliver a message to the company electronically, and wait for them to send a reply back to your email address, (3) or send them a message via postal mail to their physical address, which is 2160 West Miles Avenue, Hayden, Idaho, 83835.

 

IMPACT DOG CRATE ACCESSORIES

(Each of the following accessories, and several more, can be found by way of clicking on the following link for more information: https://www.impactdogcrates.com/collections/accessories.)

(Prices for each accessory may vary depending on when and where each product is purchased.)

Impact Dog Crate Fan: Attaches to the exterior of any Impact Dog Crate to provide dogs with a cool breeze inside of their crate. It is designed to be quiet, but provides a gentle and soothing white noise for the crated dog. It is 8 inches tall by 7 inches wide, with an 8 and 1/2 foot long cord that can be plugged into any standard outlet, and costs ~$100.00+ dollars.

Padded Berber Dog Crate Pad: Durably designed and custom made to fit the dimensions of the Stationary and Collapsible Impact Dog Crates. This crate pad is stuffed with a full three inches of padded Berber. The material is also designed to wick away excess moisture, and can be machine washed as needed. Prices for this pad range from $30.00+ dollars for the small size pad, to $65.00+ for the 3X-large size pad.

Vinyl Dog Crate Pad: This custom fit, water resistant pad also fits all of the Stationary and Collapsible Impact Dog Crates. This dog crate pad does not ever need to be machined washed and is designed for quick and easy clean-up, as it can be removed, wiped down, and returned to the dog’s crate within a matter of minutes. The pad is made using 1-inch thick foam that is wrapped in durable and weather-proof vinyl. Prices range from $30.00+ for the small size pad, to $65.00+ for the 3X-large size pad.

Impact Dog Crate Dual Wheel Cart: This durable and heavy-duty cart is designed to hold up to four, size 100 or 200, crates at one time (two on the bottom and two on top). It comes with four locking mechanisms that hold the crates securely in place to allow you to safely transport the crates anywhere you might need to take them. It is priced around $315.00+ dollars.

Impact Dog Crates “Connect 2”: This butterfly latch kit can connect any two Impact Dog Crates that need to be stacked on top of one another, for any purpose, such as traveling for vacations and/or to dog shows. The kit comes with two butterfly latches that securely connect two Impact Dog Crates to one another, and includes all of the hardware users need to install the latches, a drill bit, and an instruction guide. This accessory can be purchased for $30.00+.

The various other accessory that are manufactured and sold by Impact Dog Crates can be found by using the link that is provided at the beginning of this section of the article, for the Impact Dog Crates Accessories website page. The additional accessories that were being sold by Impact Dog Crates at the time in which this review was written include, but are not limited to the following: Impact Crate Door Guards, Impact Dog Crate Wheel Cart, Impact Dog Crate Stainless Steel Locking Slam Latch, Impact Dog Crate Name Tag Holder, Impact Dog Crate Airline Rails, Impact Collapsible Bracket (IATA), Impact Dog Crate Stacking Corners, Impact Dog Crate Grooming Arm Rails and Pads, Dog Tack Box, Impact Dog Crate Sniffer Box, Impact Dog Crate Camo Door, Impact Pooper Scooper, and an Aluminum Dog Bowl Stand.

 

CONCLUSION

As readers of this extensive review article that had been carefully researched and written about Impact Dog Crates and all of the safety risks that come along with using a dog crate, can see, there are many good things about Impact Dog Crates. But like with any product that is available within the dog accessory market, today, there are pitfalls and cons to using Impact Dog Crates, as well as the benefits and pros. Nothing in life can ever be 100% perfect, and this applies to even the products that claim to be the best choices within their market. But for the expensive price tag of up to $2,000.00+, potential purchasers of Impact Dog Crates deserve to know exactly what kind of dog crate they would be buying, and if it works as well as the company claims it does.

Therefore, it is very difficult for people who are interested in buying an Impact Dog Crate, to get an accurate idea of whether or not these dog crates are worth their hefty price tag. That is why reading reviews like this one is imperative, and incredibly helpful to dog owners who are simply trying to make the best choices possible for the overall safety and well-being of their canine companions.

In conclusion, there is no doubt that Impact Dog Crates are made quite well, with much better hardware and materials than many dog crates that are available within the market, today, are made with. However, based on the plethora of research that the writer of this article completed, it seems that the Impact Dog Crates may sometimes not meet the high-quality standards that the company claims, as these crates have been shown to be susceptible to destruction, and capable of being torn apart by especially determined dogs, of any size, not only large dogs. That being said, the Impact Dog Crates are likely to be one of the best choices for traveling in a motor vehicle, as they have been proven by multiple users to keep dogs safe in motor vehicle crashes that destroyed the vehicles in which the dogs were in, but left the Impact Dog Crates intact, ensuring the survival and safety of the precious pet within the crate.

All of these things, including each of the safety and risk factors that are discussed in great detail within this article, must always be carefully considered, checked very closely, and constantly monitored by all pet owners. Even by pet owners who believe that their dogs are not at risk when left alone in a crate. Hopefully this article has opened up the eyes of dog owners that may have been unaware of all of the safety concerns and risk factors that are associated with using a dog crate for containment, as well as providing further, valuable resources for dog owners who have dogs that are struggling, and suffering with fear and anxiety surrounding being left alone in a dog crate. All of these issues are usually able to be overcome with a little bit of knowledge, time, training, and most importantly patience and love on behalf of the dog owner, towards their dog.

More Shih Tzu Related Awesomeness

Filed Under: Dog crates Tagged With: Impact Dog Crate Review

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Dog Grooming Tools

Best Dog Dryers

Best Dog Dryers : Things to think about before purchasing!

Best Dog Clippers for Matted Hair

Best Dog Clippers for Matted Hair [Pet Safe]

Best Dog Clippers

7 Best Dog Clippers for Professional use 2021 [Ultimate Guide]

Best Dog Clippers for Poodles

Best Dog Clippers for Poodles 2021 [Safe & Easy to Use]

Best Dog Clippers for Shih Tzu

12 Best Dog Clippers for Shih Tzu 2021 [Fun & Easy Grooming]

How to find the best brush for Shih Tzu

How to find the best brush for Shih Tzu — it’s Easier than you think!

Dog Grooming Products

Andis Pulse ZR II 5-Speed Detachable Blade Clipper

Andis Pulse ZR II 5-Speed Detachable Blade Clipper

Most Popular

What about Indoor air quality?

Is Air Pollution Dangerous For Dogs? [How to Protect your Pup?]

What Age do Puppies Stop Growing

What Age do Puppies Stop Growing? [Learn All about it here]

Dog Food

Best Dog Food for Firm Stools

Best Dog Food for Firm Stools [Clinically Proven Results]

Victor Dog Food Vs Taste Of The Wild Featured

Victor Dog Food vs Taste of the Wild : Is one better than the other? Your complete guide.

Best High Fiber Dog Food for Anal Gland Problems

Best High Fiber Dog Food for Anal Gland Problems Everything You Need to Know

Pet Safety & Training

Tips for Picking the Best Wireless Fence

Best Wireless Fence for Large Dogs

Best Electric Fence Chargers for Dog Fences

Best Electric Fence Chargers for Dog Fences

  • About The Shih Tzu Expert and the Team!
  • Contact us
  • Terms of Services
  • Privacy Policy
  • How We Review
  • Dog Clippers
  • Wireless Dog Fences

This website is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to
Amazon.com. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

Privacy Policy

You can contact me at adam@shihtzuexpert.com

Disclaimer

We  shihtzuexpert.com do not intend to provide veterinary advice!.Even in our veterinary approved articles! Our comprehensive and well researched articles are for information purposes only.  Please always seek advice from your own veterinarian for any medical, health issues etc

 

Copyright © 2021 · ShihTzuExpert.com, All Rights Reserved. DMCA.com Protection Status