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Advice on best dog crate type
Question:
We are getting a Labrador puppy in September. I am sitting here with a catalog, trying to decide the type of crate which will be best for our needs. I plan to use it to housetrain, for transporting the dog in the car, and as a bed for the grown dog later, if that’s where he wants to sleep. I don’t need the crate for shows since I don’t plan to show him. There are metal crates and plastic crates. There are zinc crates and epoxy crates. There are economy crates and heavy-duty crates (Midwest). There are folding crates and non-folding crates. Should I get a metal crate with a divider (for housetraining), or two sizes of plastic crate? Should I get a pad for the bottom, a blanket, or leave it a hard surface? I am so confused. Please help me!
Response:
Heavy-duty wire crate would be safer in the car than economy, in case of accident. If you get a plastic, Vari-Kennel is still the best and sturdiest. Best to arrange for tie-downs of crate in car – vans are best for this! You could probably be ok with an adult size crate. Divider may not be necessary unless pup develops a housebreaking problem. Save the ‘nice’ blankets and pads for the first birthday. Puppies only eat the expensive ones!!!!! That’s an ingrained rule of puppyhood. Use something washable and cheaper in the puppy days!!! Old blankets from thrift stores are great, also rubber backed bath mats. Get several old blankets for padding (one to ‘wear’, one to wash, one for spare), and top the folded blanket with the rubber backed bathmat. If put tends to chew blankets, make a ‘pillowcase’ of denim and put the blankets in that before putting in crate. Denim is a bit more resistant to puppy teeth than soft, fluffy blankets! And stock up on film. Those little guys grow up SOOO fast!!! Find a good puppy kindergarten class, they are wonderful for you and puppy. I can always spot a kindergarten graduate in my adult classes! Mary Alice
Response:
On a very hot day, and with no watermelon in sight, Sat, 25 Jul 1998 – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->We are getting a Labrador puppy in September. I am sitting here with a >catalog, trying to decide the type of crate which will be best for our needs. > I plan to use it to housetrain, for transporting the dog in the car, and as >a bed for the grown dog later, if that’s where he wants to sleep. I don’t >need the crate for shows since I don’t plan to show him. >There are metal crates and plastic crates. There are zinc crates and epoxy >crates. There are economy crates and heavy-duty crates (Midwest). There are >folding crates and non-folding crates. >Should I get a metal crate with a divider (for housetraining), or two sizes of >plastic crate? >Should I get a pad for the bottom, a blanket, or leave it a hard surface? >I am so confused. Please help me!
Debbie, yes, it *can* be confusing, eh? The more choices, the more confusion usually. I’m not going to give you a recommendation, but I will try to list some of your considerations. Metal crates are usually more expensive, heavier, much more portable (the collapsible kinds, that is), more attractive, more repairable, offer more options (like the placement of the door, etc.), and are more suitable for indoor use. Plastic crates are usually less expensive, lighter, less attractive, less repairable, offer less options, are better suited for outdoor use and transportation. While you dog is still a puppy and being house-trained, I wouldn’t recommend any pad, blanket, etc. It’s easier to clean up your puppy’s "mistakes" and any lingering odors, etc. After he’s reliably housetrained, a pad and/or blanket will add to your dog’s comfort. The crates that come with partitions will afford you some additional flexibility, because a crate *can* be too large to use correctly for house-training. The vast majority of dogs will eventually outgrow their need of a crate except for transportation or emergency, temporary short-term confinements, so buying the most *expensive* crate can *often* be a waste of your money. Good luck with your decision. It wasn’t as confusing as selecting a *breed,* eh? And please get this book *now*: The Art of Raising a Puppy, by the Monks of New Skete. You’ll find some additional book recommendations at my Web site. :>) — Dogman About Hunting Retrievers http://www.i1.net/~dogman/fieldtrl.htm New! Dogman’s Book Recommendations http://www.i1.net/~dogman/books.htm About The Finest Sour Mash Whisky Under The Sun http://www.georgedickel.com "Violence, when there are alternatives, is immoral. Violence, when there are no alternatives, is survival." Dogman "Do unto others as they do unto you." Dogman
Response:
Debbie, I bought a fold-up metal crate because ventilation is good and it is so hot this time of year. I feed my puppy in her crate as recommended. I slid her bowl inside and she dashed after it. As she was entering the crate doorway she got her leg caught in one of the little square openings at the bottom. She screamed and I had to free her leg. No lasting damage, thank goodness. I taped up the openings, but now she chews on the tape when I crate her. This close call was very upsetting and a disappointment for my $200 I might add. Gail – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > We are getting a Labrador puppy in September. I am sitting here with a > catalog, trying to decide the type of crate which will be best for our needs. > I plan to use it to housetrain, for transporting the dog in the car, and as > a bed for the grown dog later, if that’s where he wants to sleep. I don’t > need the crate for shows since I don’t plan to show him. > There are metal crates and plastic crates. There are zinc crates and epoxy > crates. There are economy crates and heavy-duty crates (Midwest). There are > folding crates and non-folding crates. > Should I get a metal crate with a divider (for housetraining), or two sizes of > plastic crate? > Should I get a pad for the bottom, a blanket, or leave it a hard surface? > I am so confused. Please help me!