Crate Question

E

emmadactryl

Forums Regular
I have a bad habit with getting crates waaaay bigger than my dog, which is the reason Charlie's sleeping in a metal one at the moment that could easily fit another two of him in there beside him comfortably, so I'm looking for a bit of advice.

My dad and I are driving down to pick up my new little boy on the twenty seventh of November- I've started the countdown already :o -and while I wasn't going to bother with buying another crate, just using the combination of the ex pen and dividing up Charlie's crate, I'm starting to reconsider- especially for the ten hour trip back home- and am looking for a metal one on eBay. The breeder thinks all the puppies in the litter should mature at around 14/15 inches, so what size should I be looking for? I've got available different ones at 24, 30 and 36 inches. Until he's past the puppy chewing everything stage he'll be in the metal crate when needed, but I'll be switching him to a soft one as soon as I'm confident and comfortable that he won't try and launch an escape, so would I be able to get away with a smaller size? Or is it just better to go with one he'll fit into fully grown?
 
Most of my crates are 30" metal suitcase crates, of varying ages and brands. I have 16" dogs, and this is a good size for them. I keep some 24" crates for the smaller dogs and puppies. They were like $15 each at Home Depot, so I got 6. :smile2: In my car is a 42" crate, since I also have a Collie. I can get two Shelties in that one for traveling.
 
is there chance you can borrow a smallish puppy crate just for traveling and beginning? Some people have cats and smallish crates to take them to the vet. I bet if you ask someone will lend you for a month or so. That is what I do/ did for mine, you also have to consider if your new puppy is crate trained already, I would not start new puppy with a crate if he did not used to one. I would bring cardboard box with pillows/ blankets in such case or your traveling companion will keep pup in the lap entire trip...
 
Both of mine (1 grown about 15 1/2 inches and 1 puppy) use 30 inch crates for traveling. They are big enough for the grown dog to get up turn around and lay down. But I figure that's best in case we ever get into an accident as it seems the less room they have to bounce around in the better. They are also nice since they fit through the doors of my Acadia so I can load/unload the dogs and crates w/out unloading the entire back of the car. In the house I have 36 inch soft crates and take those to shows for the hotel room so they have a bit more room.
 
I've got a medium sized crate, 30x32x24 I think are the measurements. It came with a divider which I used to size the crate accordingly. On the unused side I stuffed it with blankets to make it feel more den like.

As my pup grew I'd push it back. My pup's always been a little odd he sleeps in the strangest positions, on his side/on his back so he's always taken up more room than needed.

It seemed to work well for him, though he prefers to sleep on the bed with me now.
 
Mine have 30" crates for day use ie feeding and if I'm out. Yogi sleeps in his too. I have a 30" metal one in the car which they share quite comfortably for short journeys but for shows each have a 24" metal crate. I have 7 crates for 2 dogs! and 3 pens! One of the crates is a 38" which I thought was a bit of a white elephant when I bought it but was so useful when Yogi had the cone of shame last year as he could turn around quite comfortably without banging into it while keeping safe. I think it's always worth getting a crate the adult sheltie will fit comfortably in for those unexpected situations. My boys are 14"-15" BTW.
 
We have a 24 & 30" here.At the moment the 24" is attached to the x-pen that Mia uses.

She sleeps in the larger 30" at night.It is to big for her,but she has never gone potty in it,givin the size there is plenty of room to do so.

We also have 2 soft sided crates,one is on the sunporch,the other in vehicle.

Both of the metal crates were giving to us.I did'nt say sorry,they are to big,I was grateful that someone gave them to me.

Trapp & Jasper both used the 30",niether one now sleeps in a crate at night.
 
For Cosmo I bought a 30 " I believe , I made a small 1/4 " plywood divider
and cut the crate in half when he was small and I first brought him home at 8 weeks and then I just moved the divider back as he grew till I took it right out.
 
emmadactryl said:
I have a bad habit with getting crates waaaay bigger than my dog, which is the reason Charlie's sleeping in a metal one at the moment that could easily fit another two of him in there beside him comfortably, so I'm looking for a bit of advice.

My dad and I are driving down to pick up my new little boy on the twenty seventh of November- I've started the countdown already :o -and while I wasn't going to bother with buying another crate, just using the combination of the ex pen and dividing up Charlie's crate, I'm starting to reconsider- especially for the ten hour trip back home- and am looking for a metal one on eBay. The breeder thinks all the puppies in the litter should mature at around 14/15 inches, so what size should I be looking for? I've got available different ones at 24, 30 and 36 inches. Until he's past the puppy chewing everything stage he'll be in the metal crate when needed, but I'll be switching him to a soft one as soon as I'm confident and comfortable that he won't try and launch an escape, so would I be able to get away with a smaller size? Or is it just better to go with one he'll fit into fully grown?
Click to expand...

When I got Cranberry in January, I bought a soft carrier for the trip home:
http://cranberrycallie.shutterfly.com/29
he slept in that at night until he outgrew it and I got him a bigger soft crate. He also had a wire crate with the divider that was kept in the living room until he outgrew it and now Dixie stays in that one.
One thing starting him in the carrier- it's pretty sturdy and now that he's bigger, he's been in various styles of soft crates and does well in them. Dixie managed to paw at hers so much that she did get the zippers to unzip and freed herself. I was worried that she had ruined the door part since I have seen that happen but now I just clip the two zippers together and she stays inside.
Too bad you're way in Australia- could send you Cran's carrier for the pickup :winkgrin:
 
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