Dog Crate Furniture for Working from Home, Visitors and Deliveries

Golden Retriever resting inside a wooden dog crate end table in a home office

For working from home, choose dog crate furniture your dog already likes, with a secure latch, an accessible door, and water nearby. Place it away from the front door and use it only for short stays while you are in the room. Dog crate furniture doubles as a side or end table, but it should provide comfort, not silence barking. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) advises against crating dogs all day while you work^[1], while the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) recommends a maximum of three hours, which we view as a limit, not a target.^[2]

Look for:

A closure you can fasten: A latch or lock named on the product page.
A door you can reach: The PDSA says you should be able to reach into the crate to give a reward.^[2]
Water within reach: A clip-on bowl,^[1] or a feeder you can refill without opening the door.
A spot away from the front door: The PDSA suggests this for a bed or mat, and in our view it suits a crate too.^[3]

A Dog That Barks at Calls, Visitors and Deliveries

A video call, a knock at the door and a parcel delivery can all set a dog off at once. The PDSA says dogs often see the front door as part of their territory, and that barking can reinforce itself because “from your dog’s perspective, barking works”.^[4] You may also want a boundary that suits a home office or living room, not a crate that looks like a kennel.

Why the Usual Fixes May Not Be Enough

Shouting or punishing: The PDSA says never to shout at or punish barking, because it can increase a dog’s fear and excitement.^[4]
A bed or mat alone: This is the PDSA’s main suggestion, taught with recorded doorbell sounds before real visitors.^[4] In our view it gives no physical boundary while your dog is still learning, so a crate can sit alongside a bed or mat rather than replace it.
Using a crate before your dog is ready: Short stays suit a dog that is already comfortable in the crate, and the PDSA says never to rush crate training.^[2]

The PDSA’s own door advice centres on a bed or mat rather than a crate.^[3]^[4] Its crate page says a crate can stop other people disturbing your dog when it needs space or rest.^[2]

What to Look For in Dog Crate Furniture for Short Stays

What to look for	Why it matters	What to check on the product page
A closure	Battersea Dogs & Cats Home (Battersea) says that when a dog is relaxed and happy to use the crate, you can begin to lock the door for short periods while you are still in the room.^[5]	A latch or lock, in the page’s own words
A reachable door	You should be able to reach in to give a reward or food.^[2]	Door width and height
Water and food	Dogs Trust says your dog needs access to fresh water.^[6]	Room for a clip-on bowl,^[1] or a feeder you refill from outside
Inside size	A dog should stand, turn around, lie down and stretch.^[1]	Inside measurements
A furniture look	The top can work as a side table, though the top load differs by product.	The finish, and the top load figure

Dog Crate Furniture as a Settling Place at Home

As a settling place, dog crate furniture suits a dog that already likes its crate, so the points below assume that.

Position, Noise and Time

Position: In our view, keep it in the room where you work but away from the front door.^[3]
Noise: Background music or TV noise can help prevent a dog hearing external noises.^[7]
Time: Never more than three hours at a time, says the PDSA, and less if your dog is not used to it. It adds that some dogs may not tolerate even that long, so in our view three hours is a ceiling and short stays are the aim.^[2]

A Short Routine for a Call or Delivery

This routine is our rule of thumb, assuming your dog is comfortable in the crate.

Practise first: Use recorded doorbells or knocks to help your dog settle, starting with the crate door open.^[4]
Before a call or visit: Make sure your dog has exercised, eaten, played and had a toilet break.^[2]
Help your dog settle: Offer a safe chew or food toy before the knock. Stay in the room during calls and keep delivery trips brief.^[2]^[4]
If barking starts: Wait for a brief pause before opening the crate, but let your dog out if it seems distressed.^[1]
Watch for stress: Pacing, panting, trembling or persistent barking may signal distress. Consult a vet if needed.^[4]

Dog Crate Furniture That Suits Short Stays at Home

Infographic displaying top three dog crates for short stays with specifications and pricing

We picked three PawHut crates from our range for the features above. Each crate is compared on the specifications its product page lists. Prices and specifications were correct at time of writing, so check the product page before ordering.

Check	Lockable Front Door Crate	Feeder and Shelves Crate	Wide Door Crate
Product	PawHut Lockable Front Door Crate	PawHut Feeder and Shelves Crate	PawHut Wide Door Crate
Price	£95.99	£98.99	£154.99
Outside size	100 x 60 x 73.5 cm	80 x 60 x 90.5 cm	121.6 x 61 x 70.7 cm
Inside size	95 x 54.5 x 66.3 cm	77 x 58.5 x 56.5 cm	114 x 57 x 68 cm
Closure wording	Front lockable door	Double doors with secure locks	A latch
Door size	Front door 47 cm wide, 65.4 cm high	See the product page	Door 67.5 cm wide, 41.6 cm high
Feeder	None mentioned	Rotating feeder refilled from outside	None mentioned
Top	20 kg top load	Tabletop and storage shelves	20 kg top load
Dog limit	Up to 30 kg, body length 60 cm	Under 20 kg, body length 50 cm	Up to 30 kg, body length 60 cm
Rating shown	5.0 from 7 ratings	None	5.0 from 5 ratings

Note: Prices and specifications are correct at time of writing. Check the product page before ordering.

A Lockable Front Door: PawHut Lockable Front Door Crate^[8]

Grey wooden dog crate end table with open metal doors and a Golden Retriever lying in front

The PawHut Lockable Front Door Crate (D02-192V71GY) suits the closure check because the page says it is equipped with a front lockable door.

Size and door: It measures 100 x 60 x 73.5 cm outside and 95 x 54.5 x 66.3 cm inside. The front door is 47 cm wide and 65.4 cm high.
Best suited to: Owners of a dog up to 30 kg who want a lockable front door and a top that takes a 20 kg load.
Pros: A plush, washable cushion is included, and the front door, at 65.4 cm high, is taller than the Wide Door Crate’s 41.6 cm.
Limitations: No feeder is mentioned, and its 47 cm door is narrower than the Wide Door Crate’s.
Choose another option if: You want to refill water from outside, or a wider door.
Price and delivery: It costs £95.99 at time of writing, with free UK mainland delivery. Contact us within 30 calendar days of delivery to return it.

Buy Now – PawHut Lockable Front Door Crate

Refilling Without Opening the Door: PawHut Feeder and Shelves Crate^[9]

Rustic brown dog crate furniture table with built-in shelves and a Beagle sitting outside

The PawHut Feeder and Shelves Crate (D02-255V00RB) suits the water and food check because its rotating feeder lets you refill food and water from outside without opening the door.

Size and doors: It measures 80 x 60 x 90.5 cm outside and 77 x 58.5 x 56.5 cm inside. The page describes double doors with secure locks, and says the latch locks keep a pet secure inside when guests are over.
Extras: The page lists storage shelves suitable for lamps, books, toys or treats, and a tabletop with a guardrail. It lists two bowls, and no cushion is listed.
Best suited to: Owners of a dog under 20 kg who want shelves and a feeder.
Pros: Food and water can be topped up without opening the door, and the shelves give somewhere to keep treats.
Limitations: It is sized for dogs under 20 kg with a body length of 50 cm, and no rating is shown.
Choose another option if: Your dog is 20 kg or more, or you want a cushion included.
Price and delivery: It costs £98.99 at time of writing, with free UK mainland delivery. Contact us within 30 calendar days of delivery to return it.

Buy Now – PawHut Feeder and Shelves Crate

A Wide Door: PawHut Wide Door Crate^[10]

Grey corner dog crate furniture end table with wide door open

The PawHut Wide Door Crate (D02-167V70GY) is the one to look at if a wider door matters most, with a door 67.5 cm wide, wider than the Lockable Front Door Crate’s 47 cm, though only 41.6 cm high.

Size and door: It measures 121.6 x 61 x 70.7 cm outside and 114 x 57 x 68 cm inside. The door is 67.5 cm wide and 41.6 cm high. The page says the latch keeps pets securely inside and refers to being in the kitchen or entertaining guests.
Best suited to: Owners of a dog up to 30 kg (check the 41.6 cm high opening first) who want a wide door and a long crate.
Pros: The inside is 114 cm long, the longest of the three, as the table shows.
Limitations: It has the largest footprint and the highest price of the three, and the door is lower than the Lockable Front Door Crate’s.
Choose another option if: You want a feeder, or the lowest price.
Price and delivery: It costs £154.99 at time of writing, with free UK mainland delivery. Contact us within 30 calendar days of delivery to return it.

Buy Now – PawHut Wide Door Crate

Who This Suits, and Who It Does Not

It suits you if:

Your dog already goes into its crate calmly and settles while you are nearby.
You need short, planned stays during calls or deliveries.
You want a crate that doubles as a side table.

It does not suit you if:

Your dog is not yet comfortable in a crate. Crate training comes first, because the routine above assumes your dog already likes it.
Your dog shows fear or anxiety at the door. The PDSA says to speak to a vet if barking changes suddenly or your dog is highly distressed.^[3]^[4]
You need to leave your dog for long periods. The routine above is for short stays only.
Your dog is over the stated weight limit for the crate you are considering.

Recommendation

For working from home, choose the crate for the job: a lockable front door, a feeder you refill from outside, or a wide door. In our view, the PawHut Lockable Front Door Crate suits an owner of a dog up to 30 kg who wants a front door they can lock, the PawHut Feeder and Shelves Crate an owner of a dog under 20 kg who wants to refill without opening the door, and the PawHut Wide Door Crate an owner of a dog up to 30 kg who wants a wider opening, though a lower one. Keep stays short, and stay in the room during calls.

FAQs

1. Can you put a dog in a crate during a video call?

In our view, yes, for a short stay if your dog is comfortable in the crate and you stay in the room. The PDSA’s training steps say to go about your normal activities while the door is closed, and it says never to use a crate for longer than three hours at a time, and less if the dog is not used to it.^[2]

2. Will a dog crate stop barking at the doorbell and deliveries?

In our view, a crate is a place to settle, not a way to silence barking. The PDSA suggests teaching a replacement behaviour, such as going to a bed or mat, with recorded doorbell sounds before real visitors, and rewarding calm. It also says never to shout at or punish barking. If barking changes suddenly or your dog is highly distressed, speak to a vet.^[3]^[4]

3. Is it okay to crate a dog when visitors arrive?

It can be, if your dog likes its crate. The PDSA says a crate can stop other people disturbing a dog that needs space or rest, and that nobody should disturb a dog while it is in the crate.^[2] Settle your dog before the visitors arrive rather than after, and keep the stay short.

4. Does covering a dog crate help with noise?

It can. Dogs Trust says covering a crate reduces sounds from outside and excludes draughts,^[6] and the PDSA suggests a blanket over the top and sides with the front left open.^[2]

5. Can you use dog crate furniture as a side table?

Yes, it is styled as a side table or end table, but the top load differs by product. The PawHut Lockable Front Door Crate and PawHut Wide Door Crate give a 20 kg top load, and the PawHut Feeder and Shelves Crate page gives no top load figure.^[8]^[9]^[10] Check the figure on the product page before putting anything on top.