So glad that I read this thread before our puppy came! I purchased several soft baby blankets to put over the plastic crate bottom/pan for our pup so that he would be comfy in his crate, but since reading all of the informative posts in this thread, I'll only use them when we are able to watch him. And I'll definitely save the really nice Teton Dog crate mat/bed for when he's older and (hopefully) past his chewing stage!