Dog crates are a very important part of your new dog’s life to get absolutely right. And that can up the pressure a little.

However, this crate is likely to be their safe spot. It’ll be their little sanctuary and their place to sleep so you want to ensure that it’s a place they’ll like to be.

I’m sure if you’re waiting on the arrival of your very own little pup, you’ve already done tons of research on the right sizes and the best versions. You may have also read up on dog crate dividers.

Dog crate dividers are a great option for those that want to invest in a larger crate that their pup will grow into once they become full-sized.

Obviously, this crate option is a good economic option, but it will mean that the crate is a little too big to begin with.

They’d have too much space in a larger crate and it may encourage them to sleep in one area and use the other part of the crate as a toilet. You don’t want that. I don’t want that. Nobody wants that.

Enter the divider.

It keeps the crate the right size up until they’re ready for a bit more room and discourages them from going potty in their cage during the night.

And the best part is that you don’t have to break the bank to have a well-working divider. They’re super easy to DIY and in this article, I’ll show you exactly how to do so.

Step-By-Step Guide To Making Your Own Dog Crate Divider

1. Choose Your Material

So, the first thing you’ll need to decide is what kind of material you want to use for your divider. There are two typical options to choose from; cardboard or plywood.

It’s really up to you which you pick but you may want to observe and consider your little pup’s behavior to finalize your decision.

For example, if you’ve got a fairly well-behaved pup then cardboard might be perfect for you. If your pup likes to have his mouth around everything in sight and loves to chew…then cardboard probably won’t be your best bet.

If you do opt for cardboard, I would recommend corrugated cardboard that is a little more sturdy so it doesn’t collapse when your pup leans against it.

2. Measure Your Crate

This step is pretty important for two reasons. First, you won’t know how much of your material to cut if you don’t know what space you’re working with.

Secondly, you want to measure your crate to ensure that you’ll still have enough space for your little pup.

You want to start at one side of the inside of the crate and measure to the other side to ensure that you have an accurate reading.

From there then measure the distance between the floor inside the crate to the ceiling of the crate.

Once you have these measurements, you’ll know the exact distance and measurements that your divider needs to be.

3. Cut Your Divider

Now, depending on the shape of your divider, you should have the outline of either a square or a rectangle on your chosen material.

All you need to do is cut out this shape. You’ll want to use either a hand saw or a table saw to do so if you’re using plywood. If you’re using cardboard then box cutters should easily suffice.

To take the pressure off a little, just remember that it doesn’t need to be absolutely perfect.

However, if you have any particularly rough or sharp edges, you should always either trim or sand them down to ensure that your pup doesn’t catch or hurt themselves on them.

4. Create The Holes

Your divider will require holes so that it can be attached to the walls of the crate. So you’ll need to punch or drill a hole into each corner of your divider.

If you’re worried about the sturdiness of your divider (or the power of your excitable pup) then it may be worth adding a few extra holes down the side so you can secure it even further.

5. Secure Your Divider

You can now place your divider into the crate and start to safely secure it. To do so, you’ll want to grab some wire or cable ties. You can hook the wire or ties through the holes and then secure it on the wire of the crate.

Ensure that you cut off any access wire or ties once secured so that your pip doesn’t try to chew or bite on them.

And just like that you’re all done – easy, right?

Keep An Eye On Your Divider

It is important to always revisit your diver regularly as your little pup continues to grow. You should continue to check that the divider is still secure.

And then you also should keep note of the space. As your puppy gets a little bigger, they might start to need some more room.

You can move the crate divider further back to allow for more space up until your pup is no longer a little baby anymore (cries) and they do not require a divider anymore.

Final Thoughts

Dog crates have many advantages but purchasing a small, medium, and large crate as they continue to grow can really start adding up.

That is why many dow owners opt for a crate that will accommodate them from their small puppy size to their full growth and development (see also ‘What To Put In Crate With a Puppy‘).

This does mean, however, that the crate will be far too big at first which is where dividers come in. They will ensure that your pup has the perfect amount of space at all times during their time in their crate.

Thankfully, as you’ve learned from this article, they’re super easy to make yourself, cost very little in supplies, and can be made, ready, and installed in just a matter of mere minutes.