A universal dog crate divider panel is a barrier you place inside any crate to shrink the space your puppy can use, so the crate grows with your dog. Truly one-size-fits-all dividers are hard to find, so the easiest solution is to make your own from plywood, solid wood, cardboard, plexiglass or bird netting, cut to fit your crate.
Dividers matter because most dogs avoid soiling the spot where they sleep. If a puppy has too much room, it can sleep at one end and use the other end as a toilet, which slows down house training. Unfortunately, some crates don’t come with a divider, which means you’d either have to improvise or look for a universal one.
In the next few paragraphs, we’ll talk about how to alter the size of your pup’s crate without breaking the bank.
What Is a Universal Crate Divider Panel?
A universal crate divider panel is an adjustable or extendable barrier that can be put inside a dog’s crate to create two distinct units. Adjustability is key because different crates have different dimensions.
Unfortunately, most dividers sold today are made for specific crate brands and sizes, and we have yet to come across a truly universal one. That is why we have compiled a few DIY divider ideas that you can use to divide your pup’s crate into two distinct units.
As a rule of thumb, set the divider so your puppy has just enough room to stand up, turn around and lie down stretched out. Move it back as your puppy grows.
Making a Custom Crate Divider Panel at Home
Unless you are lucky enough to have a crate whose dimensions match one of the model-specific divider panels available out there, chances are that you’ll be better off creating one for yourself at home.
Not only is this a practical way to solve your crate training challenges but also a fantastic way to cut costs – commercially available dividers can be quite pricey.
You’ll want to go with something that’s sturdy but not too heavy. A material that’s too heavy might make your crate too heavy to move around.
Another thing, it’s advisable to work with a material easy to manipulate so you can cut and customize it for a perfect fit. And of course, you want the material to be affordable so the divider panel is cost-effective. Here are our recommendations:
At a glance
5 picks, each best at something different
1Plywood Panels
This is a type of manufactured wood panel that is produced by gluing different wooden (veneer) layers together. This type of building material is quite popular out there thanks to the fact that it is light in weight – compared to solid wood.
On top of that, it is relatively strong and solid. And if durability is your top priority, this building material will give you the reliability you need for the long haul.
And the best part? Plywood is cheap, widely available, and less prone to warping than many solid boards. Sand the edges smooth so your pup can’t get splinters, and choose untreated plywood rather than pressure-treated wood, which contains chemicals you don’t want your dog chewing.
Pros
- Good degree of strength
- Resistant to warping
- Inexpensive
- Easy to work with
- Can be re-used
Cons
- Weaker than normal wood
- Have to cut to size
2Wood – Pine, Fir, Birch, or Cedar
If your dog crate is made out of wood, you’ll definitely want to create a divider panel for it that is made of similar or almost similar materials.
One of the biggest advantages of using wood is durability. Unlike plywood, solid wood can withstand a lot more abuse and last really long.
Most wood types like pine are available throughout the country and can be purchased at pretty much any big box store near you.
Plus, if you enjoy woodworking, there might be no better material to work with than – you guessed it right – wood. Pine wood is particularly a delight to work on as it leaves your workshop smelling nice too.
Pros
- Highly durable
- Looks the part
- Can be re-used
- Readily available
- Relatively easy to work with
Cons
- Heavier than other materials
- Messy to work with (a workshop might be needed)
3Cardboard panels
Sure, it may not be as tough or resilient as wood but that box from your last trip to the grocery store might just be what you need.
The first benefit of using cardboard for this kind of project is that it’s a really cheap material. You simply need to wait for your next shipment to arrive to get a free one.
Other than that, cardboard divider panels are really light in weight. As such, you don’t need to worry about your DIY divider adding too much weight to your crate.
It’s also really easy to work with as all you need to trim and customize it using is a pair of scissors.
A big qualm with cardboard as a building material is that it’s no match for dogs that chew or scratch. Swallowed cardboard can upset your puppy’s stomach, and it soaks up urine during accidents. It only makes sense to use if you have a calm puppy that doesn’t chew – preferably a small breed – and you should replace it as soon as it gets soiled or torn.
The idea here is to create a temporary, psychological boundary to help you in your crate training efforts.
Pros
- Readily available
- Absolutely cheap to obtain
- Easy to work with
- Ideal for a temporary divider
Cons
- Not re-usable
- No match for feisty pups
4Plexiglass Panels
Besides being easy to work with, plexiglass is fairly strong, making it a good choice even for restless pups. Just like with wood, a table saw, scoring tool, or router is all you’ll need to customize this material to the exact shape and dimensions of your crate. Sand or file the cut edges smooth, as cracked acrylic can be sharp, and consider drilling a few holes so air can still flow through the crate.
The material is also fairly lightweight. It won’t make your crate any significantly heavier to move around or fragile either. What’s more, plexiglass comes in different colors – so you can always find something that blends in perfectly with your crate or interior décor.
To top it all up, the material is extremely low maintenance and easy to clean should your pup happen to soil the kennel during the learning phase.
Easy To Install
Pros
- Easy to work with
- Looks the part
- Durable
- Low maintenance
- Can withstand harsh weather
Cons
- Relatively pricey
- Non-biodegradable
5Bird Netting
Bird netting may be designed for protecting gardens but who said you cannot turn it into a universal crate divider? Made of UV-proof nylon, this net is durable and yet quite easy to work with.
All you need is to cut it to the width of your crate. You can then tie its ends to the crate’s walls using some wires, strings, or even its own edges. However, you want to be very careful how you install it, as netting can be a choking and entanglement hazard.
Its ends should be neatly tied and tucked into place. The net itself should be pulled tight to create a firm boundary – it should never be left loosely hanging. Only use netting for puppies that don’t chew, check it daily for holes, and remove it right away if your pup starts biting at it. A puppy tangled in netting or swallowing pieces of it is a real emergency.
Pros
- An affordable option
- Very easy to install
- Weatherproof
Cons
- Poorly installed netting can be a hazard
- Not for strong dogs
Final Thoughts – A divided crate
We all would like to find the best universal crate divider panel available. Unfortunately, until crate manufacturers agree to keep their product dimensions exactly the same, the only way out, for now, is to create one yourself.
This means you’ll have to pick the right material and install it in the right way. Fortunately, there are a few great options available each with its own unique benefits.
Just make sure to go with something that meets your needs both functionally and aesthetically. Once you do that, then you’re all set to enjoy a safe and secure kennel for your pup. If you'd rather buy a crate with a divider built in, take a look at double dog crate furniture for two dogs or a dog crate with a sliding door.
Best of luck with your DIY universal crate divider panel project!
