2 days... 2 cockers... 1 crate ?

[KellyP]

Folks,

I need to pick your brains again.
Currently Millie has a 30" crate (the one from Argos) - she fits in it fine.
However we are getting an estate and would like a crate that is big enough for both Millie and "new addition" to fit in. This new crate would also then become the new home of Millie of night probably (seeing as though she'd be the biggest).
Do you guys think that a 36" crate would be big enough to keep them both in (providing they get on!) whilst in the car travelling and also whilst at shows?

Thanks

Kel                    

[Loraine]

Hi Kelly

I kept Georgia and Candy in the same crate whilst travelling until quite recently.  Georgia now has the crate, and Candy is next to her in the boot.   They both can fit in there still though I put them both in together the other day when a non doggy person came to the house.  (My crate is the same size as the one from Argos.)

Colin has a larger crate for Jimmy and Misty - I'm sure he'll let you know where he got it from if you do want to invest in a larger one.

Only a couple of days to go.  Bet you can't wait!!

Loraine                      

[padfoot]

Are you excited now?
Is the crate from Argos any good? Just wondering as I want to get one.                    

[Colin]

Hi Kelly.................... just 2 days to go now, how exciting !

I use the Argos crate in the car and both dogs fit in there fine together.

The only problem with the Argos crate is it only has a door on the short end . The boot on my own car is big enough to fit it in with the short end facing the boot opening but not all cars are. I've currently got a courtesy car, a Fiesta, it has to go longways in there and there's only a tiny gap for the dogs to squeeze in and out of the crate. This is Ok for a couple of days but longterm I'd find it really annoying.  :?

Have you ordered one of those pouches Penny recommended, Kelly ? Thinking back I remember I used to carry Misty around in a shoulder sports bag. It was OK at first but once she got more adventurous she was trying to escape. Picking up Jimmy's poos was difficult too, she was in danger of tipping out on occassion, so the pouch does seem like a good idea.

Good luck for friday !                    

[taliska]

we've only got the one "tali" hes got a 36inch for home and "30inch for the car.  The extra large is 42 so I'm not sure this would fit in an estate.  having said all that we got ours from http://www.cages4pets.co.uk/ and found the prices very reasonablethe medium balck coated is £29.99 plus 7.99 postage and has two doors which is very useful....

we went for the more upmarket version for the 36 which was £49 plus postage.  

I'd love to have a second cocker but dont think we have the room... I'm sooo jealous... :twisted:  :twisted:                    

[Silver Surfer (indiesnan)]

awww Kelly, not long now then, only two more sleeps.  :wink:                      

[KellyP]

Hi all,

thanks for your responses! Yes we're incredibly excited!
I think I'll get the 36" one then - what kind of estates do you 'estate folk' have ? :?: :?:

We've spoken to loads of people about still taking Millie out before and after we have the pup (prior to her jabs) and most people have recommended against it - so we haven't ordered a pouch and Millie has been confined to quarters for the last 2 weeks

I spoke to the vet and the pup can have her first jab next week and her 2nd at 10 weeks, then she's ok for the big wide world (in little steps! ), so I think we'll hang fire. We're still going to take the pup places .. like pets at home, work etc.. where there are no dogs; then once she's been jabbed we'll introduce her to my mum's bitch - then its puppy class!
We are really really paranoid - can you tell?   :roll:  :oops: Tris knew a young dog (2 or 3) that died of Parvo when he was about 12 - he said it was horiffic and that the owners never had the dog vaccinated - so we're kinda airing on cautious (probably over-cautious, but we're happy about it!)
As for being well adjusted and socialised .. I have so much family that I honestly don't think it will be a problem for either human, canine or feline socialisation when the time is right !


****edited to add - yes the argos crate is good, nice quality and plenty of room for a cocker (even 2 according to Colin!) But also as Colin has said the downside is only 1 door and its on the 'short side' so it makes it a tad difficult in the car - check ouot eBay though, there are 2 people on there who are always selling crates, nice ones too with coated bars and 2 doors - slightly cheaper than Argos for a 30" one with 2 day delivery, just type in DOG CRATE, or even just DOG and you'll soon find them      ****                    

[Kim]

I have a 406 estate & use 2 Croft crates in the back, although I can fit 4 in when the back seats are down.

The 36 inch one is good for 2 at a show, providing it's not benched, although I know some people remove partitions to fit a big cage in, I believe it is against the rules, am I right Jane ?
Croft do this size, with a door in whichever end you require.

The other minus point at shows is that one dog might create when the other is taken out to be shown etc. I prefer seperate cages & covered if necessary, to minimise stress.                    

[KellyP]

that's a good point Kim, and one I did think about when I thinking of shows and the logistics of extracting one cocker from the cage whilst trying to retain my diginity and keeping the other inside!!

I might order another 30" one then, and hopefully they'll both fit in it for journeys (Millie's a petite girlie anyway!) but have have seperate ones at shows

Where do you get the 'wheelie' things from that transport the dog 'in' the cage? or are they just glorified sack trucks ?                    

[sams]

I go along with what Colin has said about the door being in the short end of the Argos crate.

I have a Xantia estate which is ok but I could imagine problems with a smaller boot.

Good luck.

Sam                    

[Jane S]

We have a Passat Estate & can fit 4 smaller cages in with the back seat down. Like Kim, for showing purposes, we think 2 smaller crates is better than one big crate. Big crates don't fit on the benches unless you remove the partition which can be dangerous & yes I'm sure it is against the rules somewhere too :wink: You can get various types of trolleys - some are combined with a grooming table (expensive) & some are just basic frames with wheels. You'll be able to see them on sale at Crufts & check out the prices                    

[PennyB]

We've spoken to loads of people about still taking Millie out before and after we have the pup (prior to her jabs) and most people have recommended against it - so we haven't ordered a pouch and Millie has been confined to quarters for the last 2 weeks  

Its sad as you see so many dogs around that have been poorly socialized and it can affect them for the rest of their lives especially as this initial period (up until about 16 weeks) is the time to do it (read Gwen Baileys book the Perfect Puppy). If you are thinking this way then you can carry parvo on your feet just the same as your other dog could. I have carried both my dogs around and they both met up with other dogs during this period and were fine as were all my friends pups. I live in a parvo area but still took Wilf out over the summer as I felt that it was more improtant to socialize him. Many people on this board carry their pups around during this period.

You are after all just carrying him and the risk is if he goes down on the ground not from something that's airborne.                    

[KellyP]

I fully appreciate what you are saying Penny, and a line has to be drawn somewhere, otherwise you verge on the insanely paranoid!
For us our line is with not taking out Millie, so that she doesn't have the opportunity to interact with other, potentially unvaccinated, infected dogs. Yes we understand that we may still potentially bring other bugs in on our feet, but to keep the pup in a completely sterile environment would be near impossible.

As I said in my post, we WILL still be taking just the pup out and carrying her around, to pets at home work etc, but Millie will stay in until the pup has had her jabs

Quote "Its sad as you see so many dogs around that have been poorly socialized and it can affect them for the rest of their lives" unquote

Our breeder treated Millie in exactly the same way as she is recommending we treat our new puppy. We didnt pick Millie up until she was 15wks old and then we took her to puppy class, family visits etc and she is perfectly well socialised and adjusted to all things / people she meets.

We do not think we are going to cause a life long issue with our puppy in our choice of action.
At the end of the day we are taking our own action based on recommendations and our own judgement - what is right for one dog owner may not be right for another - but we have appreciated your advice all the same, even though you may not think it, or may not think we are doing the right thing



PS - only 1 day to go!!                      

[Dessie]

Just a word about the Crates on eBay I bought one from a Seller on last year looks lovely but it isn't very strong, it is black coated and has two doors, but for everyday use I think it wouldn't hold up very well.  I just use it for Shows now.  It was only about £40 for a 36inch one P&P.  There is some stronger looking ones on eBay but I'm a bit warey of buying another one now.  Although I did pick up a great Rosewood one from a Carboot sale for £4 my friend bought the same cage from a pet shop locally and paid £140  

Forgot to add that my three travel to the common, beach etc in a 36inch one (the carboot bargain) :wink: and there is plenty of room for No 4 when I finally get him  :wink:                    

[KellyP]

hmm 3 fully grown cockers in a 36" crate??!!  :shock:
Perhaps I oughta just get another 30" one then .. considering what everyone has said I think  its probably going to be big enough !

The one I've seen on eBay is coated black, although there are others that are kinda gold in colour, like the argos one .. perhaps I ought to go for one of those ones then

Thanks guys and girls