If you’ve got more than one dog at home, you already know the juggling act: different personalities, different energy levels, and a shared need for safe, structured rest. Creating a designated crate corner is one of the most effective ways we’ve seen to bring harmony to a multi-dog household.
At Impact Dog Crates, we’ve helped thousands of owners—and their dogs—enjoy the peace of a well-planned setup. In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to build a crate corner that works for your space, your dogs, and your routine.
Planning Your Crate Corner
The first step is choosing the right location. You’ll want a spot that’s quiet enough for rest but not so isolated that your dogs feel cut off from the family. A corner of the living room, a sectioned-off area in the mudroom, or even a basement landing can work—so long as it’s:
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Climate-controlled year-round
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Away from loud appliances or foot traffic
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Easy for you to supervise without being disruptive
Spacing matters too. Each dog should have enough room to comfortably enter and exit their crate without bumping into their sibling. Leave a few inches between crates for airflow and visual boundaries—this helps prevent squabbles and encourages calm.
Selecting the Right Crates
When you’re housing multiple dogs, consistency and durability are key. We offer three styles that suit different temperaments and training needs—and all of them can work beautifully in a crate corner.
Here’s how they compare for multi-dog setups:
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Stationary Crate: The go-to for everyday use. Heavy-duty, stackable, and escape-resistant—great for strong dogs or long-term containment.
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Collapsible Crate: Folds down when not in use, ideal for those rotating crates between home and travel.
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High Anxiety Crate: Designed for dogs who panic in confinement. Solid walls, double latches, and unbeatable strength for peace of mind.
Each of our crates offers:
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Stackable design options for vertical storage
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Small footprint without sacrificing internal space
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Exceptional ventilation via precision-cut holes
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Marine-grade aluminum that resists wear, rust, and chewing
If your dogs are different sizes or have very different needs, mixing crate types within the same corner is completely doable. What matters most is that each crate suits the dog inside it.
Arranging for Comfort & Safety
Once you’ve chosen the right crates, make the space as inviting as possible. Start from the ground up—literally.
Use a rubber mat or crate tray underneath each crate to protect your floors from spills, movement, or wear. For comfort inside the crate, we recommend pairing our Orthopedic Crate Pad with the Pad Liner to keep things clean, cozy, and easy to wash.
Ventilation is another priority, especially if your crate corner gets warm in the afternoons or lacks airflow. Our Impact Crate Fan clips right onto the crate and offers quiet, cooling air to keep your pups comfortable.
A final touch? Add a few visual barriers if needed—like crate covers or a privacy screen between crates—to help each dog feel secure without feeling cut off.
Training Tips for Multiple Dogs
Even the best-designed crate corner will only succeed if your dogs understand that it’s a positive, safe place. We always suggest introducing each dog to their crate individually before expecting them to settle side-by-side.
Here’s a simple training flow that works well in multi-dog homes:
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Start with one dog at a time—don’t rush group introductions.
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Use high-value treats and calm praise to encourage each dog into their crate.
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Leave the door open at first, allowing exploration without pressure.
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Once comfortable, close the door briefly and reward calm behavior.
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Practice during low-energy times of day to set up for success.
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Build a routine—same times, same commands, same rewards.
Over time, your dogs will start to recognize their crate corner as a familiar signal that it’s time to relax, not compete or worry.
Maintaining Your Crate Corner
Keeping a multi-crate setup clean and functional doesn’t have to be a chore. I check latches weekly for tightness and scan for signs of wear on pads or liners. A quick vacuum and wipe-down every few days keeps the space fresh and fur-free.
If your dogs are similar in size and temperament, try rotating crate assignments every few weeks. This keeps the space novel and helps prevent territorial behavior from forming.
Most importantly, keep the routine consistent. When your dogs know what to expect, they’re more likely to relax—and that’s the ultimate goal.
Conclusion
A well-designed crate corner brings structure, security, and peace to any multi-dog household. From safer meal prep time to smoother bedtime routines, giving each dog their own “room” makes your life easier—and your dogs’ lives happier.
If you’re not sure which crate is right for each dog, try our Crate Quiz—it’s a quick way to match needs with features. Or browse our full lineup to start building your ideal crate corner today.
