crates

[claireandmartin]

what do ppl mean by crates is  it like the metle big cages you can get and what are they used for and at what age would you stop using them

[Mollie.Ladie]

Yes, you are right that they are big metal cages.  They're good for the dogs to have because they give them a sanctuary of their own.  They can be used for all day use or only night time use.  Well..the age limit is up to you.  You can keep it in your house for as long as the dog is living or for as little as a month! I would reccomend though that if you do get one..keep it for a year at the least so the pup has a nice place to sleep during the day or during the night. 

[claireandmartin]

whats recomended then a puppy box like breeders use to have the pups in or a crate?

[PennyB]

I assume, by the puppy boxes you mean whelping boxes ---- growing pups can get out of these really easily if you intend to use them to keep them safe. Depends on what you want to use the crate for. Mine were used if I had to pop out for a short while, to give them some quiet time (and me ) with a chew, or if am doing something upstairs, plus they always slept in the crate at night. Now mine are adults and its stil lthere as they like to snuggle up inside it as its cosy in there (has a blanket over three of the sides, with enough space for air to flow through.

[claireandmartin]

yeah just somewhere safe to sleep and somewhere for if i have to go out for a whille just so she dosnt wreck the kitchen or house

[Evs]

We were advised to get one for our pup - she's now 20 weeks & it's very useful.  We also use it for journeys in the car as it fits in the back of our old estate & she's already better travelling than our last Cocker.  She sees it going in the car & gets very excited as she knows it means we're off to somewhere special [ the beach /lakes etc].
Wish we'd had one for all our previous cockers.

[PennyB]

yeah just somewhere safe to sleep and somewhere for if i have to go out for a whille just so she dosnt wreck the kitchen or house

Then you probably need a crate. Mine came from Croft and are probably more expensive than some but its pretty sturdy and have had it for 5 years now. I have another much larger one on loan from a rescue for when I occasionally foster dogs but I don't like it as its quite flimsy.

[cazza]

Fern still uses her crate and she's 11 months.

I also use it in the car.

W have a 36" crate in the house, which as said on another thread is actually big enough for 2 or 3 fully grown cockers, so you wouldn't have to get one this big for 1 cocker 

[claireandmartin]

im lucky cos my x husband is going to give me a crate he used for his rottie pup so thanx for all the info

[Tasha]

My oldest dog was 15 (sadly no longer with us) and he had a crate that he slept in, the door was never closed he just used to get up when he'd had enough and pop himself of to bed

They are useful but not for 24hr a day use.

[cazza]

They are useful but not for 24hr a day use.

I agree - Fern is only in hers when i pop out to drop kids at school or nip to shops for milk etc, unless she goes in on her own accord that is 

  I actually hardly ever go out and leave her in her crate  normally if I want a day out to see friends etc I do it when OH is working from home    spoilt dogs or what