Best wire crate for a Cavapoo

Switching from plastic to wire makes a lot of sense if your Cavapoo has been restless — plastic crates limit airflow and visibility, which can make some dogs feel closed in rather than settled. Crate size is still the most important factor though: too small causes distress, but too large removes the den-like feel that makes crates work in the first place. Before I point you to something specific, can you tell me roughly how much your Cavapoo weighs, and is this crate mainly for home use or do you need it for travel too?

At 8kg and for home use only, a 24-inch wire crate is the right size for him — snug enough to feel secure but with enough room to stand and turn comfortably. The pacing and whining in the plastic crate is a pretty classic sign that the restricted sightlines are the problem rather than the crate itself. Wire lets him see what's going on around him, and the open feel tends to settle dogs who've become sensitised to feeling enclosed. Has he always been in the plastic crate, or did the restlessness start more recently?

That pattern — willing to enter but not able to settle — points strongly to the environment inside the crate rather than a crate-training issue. Good news is you're not starting from scratch; he already has a positive association with crating, so the transition should be straightforward. I'd recommend the Ellie-Bo 24-inch folding wire dog crate. It's a genuine 24-inch interior, which is the right fit for an 8kg Cavapoo, the double-door design gives you flexibility with placement, and the fold-flat mechanism means it's easy to move between rooms if needed. It's well made without being overpriced, and the wire gauge is sturdy enough that it won't rattle or flex when he moves around — which can be its own source of anxiety. Drape a thin blanket over the top and two sides initially to give it a slightly more den-like feel without blocking all airflow, and you should see him settle within a week or two.

Put the plastic one away once the wire crate is set up. Keeping both out tends to create confusion rather than reassurance — dogs do better with one clear option. Move his bedding and any familiar-smelling blanket straight into the new crate so it smells like his already. Feed him a few meals in there with the door open before you close it, just to rebuild the positive association quickly. Given that he's crate-trained already, a few days of that should be enough.

You're in a good position — he's not anxious about crates generally, just uncomfortable in that particular setup. The Ellie-Bo 24-inch should sort it. Good luck with him.