crate advice

[summertime]

hi all

we're planning on getting a puppy and I want to be prepared so my question is what sort of crate should I get for her. When I had my little boy several years ago I got an open one but someone said that a closed one may be better as a pup will feel more secure. I would also expect to get one thats big enough for her to walk around but again this person contradicted this and said a smaller one will make her feel secure.

so confusion reigns supreme, what do you prefer to use, if its a small one I could also use it in the car but I dont want to get one she will grow out of in 5 minutes (how long would you expect to crate a pup)

HEEEELP


summer x

[Claire83]

Hi summertime,

We purchased a 36" crate for Roxy shortly before we collected her. However our breeder advised us that actually a 30" crate is better and just as good as when it comes to toilet training they aren't as likely to mess in the place they want to sleep in. We stuck with our 36" crate and TBH she was fine, not a lot of accidents at all. Admitedly we cannot fit it in the back of our car (well it fits at an angle but not very useful  ) but she has a harness for travelling in.
She uses her crate all the time and it's a great little retreat for her especially if we have children over. If she gets fed up or tired she takes herself off to her crate where they cannot get to her. They really are a useful bit of kit!

By the sounds of this you want to put it in your car so a 30" crate will probably suit you best. 

[Millbean]

We had Bertie in November at 8 weeks old and when he arrived home his 30 inch crate was ready and waiting.  He went straight in and loved it.  We now call it his bedroom.  He is now just over 5 months and he still loves his crate.  He's not in it during the day, but sleeps in it at night and we have never had any sleepless nights!

One of the reasons we got the crate was because we have two cats and thought it would be safest for Bertie.  It's turned out to be the best thing we did.

Hope this helps

[AMJ]

Hi Summertime,

We are in the same position as you and are due to pick up our new and first ever puppy in three weeks...the kids are beside themselves with excitement.

I've gone a bit over the top with reading around etc and I have eventually bought a 30" crate and am going to use it to slowly toilet train her rather than using the paper method and for times when we and she needs a break! I had been told that a 30" is big enough for her to grow into but I may need to partition off the end to start with to ensure she doesn't get confused and use the crate as a toilet too. As the other posts have said it's also useful as the 30" will fit in the boot of our car but a 36" doesn't.

Have you also considered a playpen? This is a larger screened off area where they can play safely so isn't as confining as a crate but doesn't help with the toilet training as they can 'go' in the playpen - depends on what you're looking for.

Good luck with all the preparations - it's exciting isn't it!

AMJ

[EmmaA]

We have a 36'' crate, which is too big really. I get round the issue with messing in the crate by putting Eric's whole basket in there wgich just fits in with a little bit of room round the edges. If I just put the cushion in he does tend to mess in there.

[louis mum]

I have a 9 week old, a 30 inch crate and he goes straight off to sleep of a night no crying or anything. He only really uses it of a night at bedtime, I have a large puppy pen downstairs for if I have to get on with doing something and dont want him involved.  By that I mean hoovering or something. 

[Sheryl]

Where did you get the puppy pen from Patsy?

[louis mum]

It was The Kennel Shop

http://www.kennelshop.co.uk/products.php?action=viewproduct&productid=191

I got the bigger one, it is great. Pity Lee didnt use it yesterday while I wasnt home  A few hours later I got a text message to say Alfie had chewed through a computer wire.  All Lee's fault of course, he may as well of chewed through it himself the mouthful i gave him. 

[Sheryl]

   Poor Lee.  Thanks pet

[louis mum]

No probs.  I have bought allsorts from this company, delivery is sooooo cheap and fast, cant fault them really.