Best dog crates according to redditors
We found 154 Reddit comments discussing the best dog crates. We ranked the 86 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the top 20.
We found 154 Reddit comments discussing the best dog crates. We ranked the 86 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the top 20.
It’s this one: ProSelect Empire Cages - Medium https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000Y905XE?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf
I have a collie mix who hates storms. This didn’t go over well when we moved to Florida and everyone went to work. He destroyed his wire crate in stages, usually managing to escape, hurting his paws and doing damage to his surroundings. This thing is designed for very strong dogs and works wonders! Get the dog bed for it, though!
That's way more than you need to spend on a crate. Amazon has basic 48 inch ones in the $70-80 range: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B018YCUHGW
Your situation sucks, but it is simple.
You and your cat are not safe around the dog. You already know this. An undisciplined and untrained dog who attacks humans (including his owners) is not going to magically get better; you and your cat will be at risk of attack anytime you are there. This is a 100% valid concern, especially for your cat.
Your boyfriend is unable or unwilling to fix the dog's behavior. The specifics and excuses don't matter, what matters is you asked for some action and got none. Dog tore up your wrist and BF said 'oh well yeah he does that sometimes' and didn't see a problem with it.
Therefore, if the dog is going to be where your boyfriend is living, you cannot move in there because you and your cat won't be safe there. That's the simple reality of the situation. There are no excuses or justifications around this, it's just the fact of what's happening.
So that means either you move in somewhere without the dog, or you keep living separately, or you break up. Those are the three options.
Now, moving in somewhere without the dog could involve getting a new dog. A new dog you could train properly so it wasn't a menace to people. That might be a compromise.
But if the boyfriend has to have THAT dog, and refuses to address the behavior, then you can't live there.
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One side note- if the boyfriend says he'd destroy a crate, that sounds more like an excuse than reality. A dog crate like this is made of metal and thus is quite difficult to destroy.
You should try one of these. They come with a divider so you can move it as they grow until they are able to use the whole thing!
If you're going to crate the dog, then I suggest this crate. It has a divider so that you can make the crate small for when he's a puppy and then slowly move the divider as he gets larger. As long as the crate has only room enough for him to turn around and lay down then he will not poop or pee in the crate. Fill the empty side of the crate with some cardboard boxes so that it feels small and cozy. This is by far the best way to potty train a dog. This crate size is perfect for my 93lb 4 year old and he has plenty of room in it to stand up and sleep in multiple positions.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002AT3ME/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Do not get him bedding with stuffing. He will most likely destroy it, eat the stuffing, and get blockages (same with stuffed toys). Mine did this to all his beds but luckily he pooped out the stuffing. Instead, I got him a big white IKEA comforter. It's a like a big blanky he can move around to his desire and he won't destroy it. Also, it's easy to toss in the washer.
Buy a Kong so you can stuff peanut butter, cheese, and other treats into to keep him busy.
These are the best dog balls I've found. My dog can't destroy them and he loves playing with them:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00280MUXA/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Also, do NOT cheap out on his food. Buy 100% grain free high quality food. Dobermans are subject to getting bloating and foods with grain can cause it which can lead to death. I suggest Taste of the Wild's Salmon puppy formula.
Good review site for dog food:
https://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/dog-food-reviews/taste-of-the-wild-dog-food-dry/
Lastly, socialize this dog like crazy. Take it everywhere and have it meet all sorts of people, dogs, animals, city life, etc. At first, though, since he doesn't have all his shots you might have to just stick to puppy classes where other dogs have their shots (so no one catches any illnesses). Don't take the puppy to random dog parks as they can be filled with diseases which your puppy isn't protected against.
Good luck!
What do you mean by "crate" them? If you mean you put them in something like this for 11 hours a day, that's clearly animal abuse.
Get them into training ASAP. They can be a stubborn, headstrong, energetic breed. In the wrong hands, this could be a disastrous combination.
They have razor sharp puppy teeth that they like to put to good use. You will most likely end up with some handsome red scratches on your legs/arms/face/etc. Do not fret, this is normal.
If you did not know already, this breed is prone to hip dysplasia. The occurrence of hip dysplasia is based on mainly genetics, weight, and exercise. Hopefully you got your pup from a good breeder who screens the parents' hips and elbows, as orthopedically sound parents will more likely produce orthopedically sound pups. You can also help reduce the likelihood of HD by keeping your GSD lean and on a healthy food. I recommend Victor Nutra Pro here https://www.chewy.com/victor-select-nutra-pro-active-dog/dp/129281 You can find other good foods on Dog Food Advisor. In addition, here is a chart that illustrates the different body types of dogs: http://www.dummies.com/pets/dogs/how-to-evaluate-your-dogs-weight/ This is just a general guideline of course - the healthy body types will vary slightly by breed. But this is a good starting point. Last point is exercise. Don't put too much stress on their joints at a young age. Ie, don't run them too much, have them jump too much, etc. Keep the exercise low impact at this stage.
I recommend feeding your pup from a Long Wobler, as they can tend to eat fast. You can find them on Amazon here https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003ALMW0M/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1496502891&sr=8-1&keywords=kong+wobbler
I recommend brushing out their fur with a rake and Kong Zoom Groom. You can also find them on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0062Z0RPA/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1496502790&sr=8-3&keywords=dog+rake+brush and https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0002AR19Q/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1496502846&sr=8-1&keywords=zoom+groom&dpPl=1&dpID=51QkRAxrf0L&ref=plSrch
I would highly recommend crate training. It's one of the best things you could do for your dog. I like the Midwest 48" crate here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000QFWCLY/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1496503032&sr=8-1&keywords=midwest%2Bicrate%2Bfolding%2Bmetal%2Bdog%2Bcrate&th=1&psc=1
Let me know if you have any questions!
> 1- if he does something he knows is wrong
This is REALLY subjective. Dogs don't really 'know' what they are doing is 'wrong', they only know what behaviors are reinforcing and which ones aren't. What specific things are we talking about here?
Depending on how you handle the situation, you my actually be reinforcing the behavior. For example, if he steals a napkin are you chasing him down? Chasing can be a SUPER fun game, especially for a corgi. It is jumping on the furniture? This is a pretty self rewarding behavior and if they are not normally let up on the furniture it may reinforce guarding behavior.
Focus on specifics. If you just focus on the growling, you are only looking at the symptom, not the cause - and treating ONLY the symptom will not improve your situation. In fact, it only stands to make any anxiety or stress much worse. If he is having issues with guarding, check out this article.
Being an only dog for a period of time then getting a new dog can cause a LOT of anxiety. You may not recognize it immediately as dogs are pretty good at hiding their emotions and have a different way of communicating stress than we do, but the new dog is likely having an impact (even months later). You may need to revisit/retrain some behaviors with your corgi to help him feel confident and know what he SHOULD be doing.
> 2- When he's let out of his crate, he'll growl and jump all over her, barking and snapping.
99% of the time with corgis, this is more playful or 'herding' behavior than aggression. Corgis are extremely vocal dogs and use a fair amount of growling in addition to a variety of other noises. Our corgi can sound REALLY vicious when he is in play mode, but there is a very clear difference in pitch and posture between a serious growl and a play growl (but his play growl is WAAAY more exaggerated then his real one - again, if you were unfamiliar with him you would think he was a rabid beast dog, but he really just wants you to play tug with him). If it is first thing in the morning and he is jazzed, this can all contribute to his behavior.
First things first - don't let him out of his crate when he is barking/over excited. If you need to, let him out of his crate first. It may be helpful to get him into a down/wait position while he is in his crate before opening the door. Work on having him stay in that position until you cue otherwise. Open the door very slowly, if he gets up, close the door and walk away for 30-60 seconds and try again. If you can get the door 1/4 of the way open without him getting up, give him a treat and try to get it 1/2, 3/4, etc. It will take a few tries the first few times, but corgis are VERY quick learners and will pickup on what you expect.
Once he has a reliable wait with you at the door, you can start adding a bit of distance between you and him while he is still in the crate with the open door. Reward liberally and work in baby steps. Never put him in a situation where he is likely to fail or you will damage your training up to this point, you need to be consistent. If he gets up before he is cued to do so, the door needs to close and he needs to wait a period of time before you try again. You may also want to work on this behavior at other times, not JUST in the morning when he is really excited.
This will help reinforce calmness = getting out of the crate, not barking craziness. It is likely that he is just excited to get out and start the day - corgis are very zealous workers - it is likely he does it to your wife and not you because you have corrected him for jumping up on you in the past.
Check out these articles related to this behavior:
> 3 - It doesn't matter what we put in the bottom of it as far as a pan goes, she chews right through it.
What kind of crate are you using? Wire crates should have a wire bottom with a plastic tray in them. If she is chewing through that plastic tray, have you tried [a travel crate](Link: http://amzn.com/B003E77OEG)? Or even a Metal or Wooden crate (although if she is chewing through plastic/carpet/etc - she will probably be able to get through a wood one, too)? They also have crate covers like this.
More importantly than trying to find a reinforced crate, when is she exhibiting this behavior? This is inline with symptoms of separation anxiety or boredom/under exercised. Again, getting a reinforced crate may be good for the symptom, but if you do nothing to treat the cause you are still going to have problems.
If she does it while you are at work (for example), get her a LOT more exercise before you leave in the morning and don't feed her breakfast until JUST before you head out the door. Stuff a kong or two with her breakfast and freeze them the night before so she will have something productive to work on rather than chew through her crate. You can also leave in large deer or moose antlers - they are very hardy chews for dogs that will last a VERY long time. You can practice reinforcing her choice to chew on the antlers while you are at home and then start to leave them with her in her crate (if she proves to be able to handle them without trying to eat them).
GSDs are also prone to being escape artists. A bored shepherd in a crate is not going to have a happy ending. You may want to consider getting her (AND her corgi brother!) into day care a couple times a week or hiring a daily dog walker to help them get out all that extra energy. Both are RIDICULOUSLY high energy working breeds so they are going to need more then 2 or 3 walks a day - they are both going to need to RUN for a couple hours off leash or spend an hour or two each day working on high level obedience/sport training.
Our corgi can run for 2 hours+ off leash without missing a beat. Just yesterday we took 4 laps around the outside edge of a 20 acre dog park and he was outrunning most of the larger dogs there. Those little legs can MOVE! Your GSD is going to be on par if not need MORE exercise then that to really be able to relax.
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Overall, it sounds like you have a lot of focus on symptom behavior. "Leave it" is a good management cue, but "No" doesn't really hold much weight in the dog world. You are not really 'showing them who is in charge' by telling them no, you are just letting them know that they should probably wait until you are out of sight before doing that again (or, worst case, they get yelled at). Focus on managing the actual CAUSES of these symptoms and always look to reinforce behaviors you WANT and redirect/ignore/manage behaviors you do not want. It is easy to ignore a well behaved dog, but that is when you should be paying them the MOST attention. Shape behaviors by using things your dogs want (getting out of the crate, getting plays, getting attention, getting food, etc) as a reward. If your corgi lays down and waits in his crate with the door open, he gets to leave the crate. If your corgi chooses to do 'good' behaviors, he should get some attention, etc.
Corgis are REALLY good at knowing how to push your buttons and will do those behaviors if they think you should be paying them more attention. GSDs can be the same way - you have two highly intelligent working dogs on your hands!
Here are some additional resources that will likely prove helpful:
search Amazon for "dog crate" they have lots of sizes
Amazon, it's actually a dog crate!
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0098L1Z9C/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
We travel (East coast to West coast and back) with our six year old dog semi regularly. We have a medium sized metal crate that folds flat for storage in the car that we pull out at hotels (like this: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00QAVO29I/ref=mp_s_a_1_3/143-4418050-6028144?ie=UTF8&qid=1541910872&sr=8-3&keywords=dog+crates&dpPl=1&dpID=51b0bwi1l0L&ref=plSrch). We also got the dog used to it at home first (originally with high value treats).
The dog wears a harness/seatbelt combo in the car and we have an oversized gerbil-style water bottle tied to the back of a seat that the dog likes. We stop every 2 hours for a leg stretch/potty walk. That may depend on how long your road trip portion is. We keep some toys and a blanket for the dog in the backseat.
All the hotels we have stayed at have said as long as our dog was crated while we were out, it would be fine. That being said, just like the above poster said, always check with the hotel first (it’s a quick phone call) to see if that is acceptable, if there is a weight limit, or additional pet fee per day. Petswelcome.com let’s you search pet friendly hotels. In the hotel room, we always have a blanket that smells like us and the dog available near the food bowl when we are there and we put it in the crate with the dog when we are gone along with some toys. We tend to play fetch with the dog before we leave as a sleepy pup is quiet and less stressed. We always give a treat before we leave. We also leave the tv on low volume so the dog isn’t startled while we are gone. Generally our dog is only alone in the hotel room for a couple hours at a time though as we stay at hotels between stopping with family, which might be different than your case. Hope that is helpful!
Edit: forgot to mention, our dog is also 35 lbs so about the same size as yours.
If he has to be crated overnight or when unsupervised then I think a good quality soft-sided one is the way to go.
My instinct would be to make his surrounding area as soft as possible, but you also said that he shredded the bed you put in the crate for him.. Does he shred anything you put in there? Beds, folded up blankets?
My guy has idiopathic epilepsy and grand mal seizures are typical of it, but what you describe is way, way more violent than anything my guy has ever done. I just know that for mine, I would not want him to seize in a plastic or wire crate. He was on crate rest for a little while recently and he did have three seizures in his soft sided crate, and it held up fine vs. a 'normal' grand mal seizure, but there may be too much mesh to survive an encounter with wild fish out of water flopping. This crate is a newer version of the one I have. The first three color options are all newer and they all have screens that pull down over the mesh parts which could add extra support - mine doesn't have those screens.
Yeah, sounds like standard separation anxiety. She wants to be near you guys. I know it's not your dog but if you wanted to grab a crate for her to bring into your room, they're pretty reasonable on amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-Single-Door-Folding-Metal-Crate/dp/B00QAVO29I/
If you take her to a local vet, they can scan for a microchip but good chance she's just a stray/abandoned. Kudos for helping her out.
I bought this dog crate about six months ago. It's a little bent where the dog had tried his escapes in the past, but still works. It's too large for him, so we got one of those smaller furniture looking ones and no longer need this. Lemme know if one of you can use it before I put it on the street.
While we haven't used one for 'activities' We have a large one for our previous dog. The nice thing is with a large one is you can actually make it smaller by putting walls inside the cage.
It's a lot harder to make a cage larger after you've purchased a smaller one.
I just saw a large one at a thrift store for 30 bucks. and one slightly smaller for 20.
Also, look at amazon and e-bay for much better pricing. I think ours was an e-bay one and it was quite inexpensive (not thrift store cheap) and similar to the one you posted. if you find you like it you could move onto This
Look into a dog crate - they're really good for rabbits when you need to secure him. As time goes on it'll probably end up just as a safe place they hang out in if you're comfortable having him free roam. If you have trouble with training the he'll have enough room.
I don't know about extra large, but you could always buy two wire play pens and hook them up, plus crate.
My set up is usually one of these, attached to a crate of the same height (not a must, but I find puppies try to get over the "shortest" part). It ends up looking like this.
I agree with all that you have said. It took at least 2 months before our Berner was fully house trained. I work nights and my wife works days, so both of us lost quite a bit of sleep during this time period. It is almost as bad as a newborn... almost... The first few nights are the worst.
We have this crate Amazon Midwest Crate and it has worked well for us. Our berner is a medium sized male, and he still fits well at 1 year old (100lbs). We use the crate only if we are gone from the house for more than an hour.
We got our puppy last July, and my wife had a baby in January. They are great together! Imgur
We have limited our puppy to certain rooms in the house. Our breeder recommended limiting stairs, so our puppy sleeps downstairs. He also isn't allowed in the formal living room or dining room. We did this by using gates. We had at one point 5 gates in our house. When he was about 8 months old, we slowly removed them, 1 at a time. The first night, he tried getting upstairs. I heard his paw at the top of the stair at 7am, and told him sternly to get back down. He hasn't tried it again since! We reinforce his boundaries by telling him "out" if he gets bold, and then praising him when he leaves. Positive reinforcement is key.
Our puppy was a little mouthy at times... a lot longer than I had wanted. Just be patient, but pay attention to your baby around him during this time.
I have never seen a wire crate with a top opening. I have this soft sided crate which opening from the top, side, and front. It's also pretty sturdy.
If you think a wire crate would be best, my suggestion if no one else has seen one: get a crate with a side door and turn it on the side. Take the plastic tray out completely, lay it so the side door is on top, put a towel down as a cushion, and then the bed.
GSDs are amazing dogs. They are also difficult novice dogs, so you jumped into the deep end. here are some tips.
GSDs are "working" dogs. this basically means your GSD is going to be much happier with a task and when put to use. For you and your dog "working" can be training and putting you dog through her paces. basically, if your dog thinks she is useful then she will be much happier and not seek negative attention.
Your puppy will chew stuff up if you let it. yelling at it and telling it off will be your first reaction but it won't really help, so don't do it. get a bunch of different type of toys/chews. lots of consistencies, rigid toys, floppy toys, etc. when your dog looks like it is about to chew the table leg.... give her a toy. it is all about redirecting her energy into something that you approve of.
speaking of toys... never play "tug" with the dog. it is OK to tug a little (i will play tug for 5 seconds or less) and get them excited but let them have the toy. if you don't do this you are making them work really hard for the toy. this can result in them not wanting to give it to you later.
crate train your dog. you want to make sure the crate is small enough so they can't/won't pee in the corner and sit in the other corner to escape it. i recently got this crate https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000QFWCLY/ for my new puppy. it is big enough for an adult but it comes with a divider to make the crate small while they are a puppy. i train mine by giving them a treat when they get into their crate. i tell them "kennel up" and lead them to the crate. then i give them the treat when they are inside. this is a great way to get consistent behavior. don't leave them toys in the crate in case they choke. you can give them elk antlers (you can get a bag of them at amazon). your puppy will act like you are the meanest thing in the world when you first start crate training. it will take upwards of a few weeks but they get used to it. don't put a blanket or bed in the bottom of the crate. they will chew it and might choke. you can get them a bed when they are older.
potty training... take her out a lot. every 20 mins. when she goes tell her how good she is and reinforce that it is good behavior. the tend to pick up on outside pretty quickly. if you take them out a lot, at first, they likely won't go inside and will develop a good habit.
your puppy won't be able to hold her bladder for long at first. make sure she goes out late at night (right before bed). crate her at night. set an alarm and get up in the middle of the night for a potty break. you likely won't get 8 hours straight (without peeing) until 3 - 4 months old.
while training you need to be more stubborn than your dog. if you tell it to "sit" and it doesn't sit then make it. don't be mean. be firm and make the dog sit. give praise and/or treats. if you get into the habit of telling the dog to do something and then don't make sure it happens you are just training your dog to ignore you.
don't let your puppy jump on you or others. it might be cute now but it will be horrible when you have a 100lb dog that greets people by jumping on them. if they start to jump you can ignore them and turn away from them. acknowledge them when they quit jumping. once they sit on command you can use that to your advantage. you will start learning when they tend to jump.... be pro-active and make them sit before they jump.
good luck. enjoy.
edit: i forgot socialization!!! this is huge. you want a friendly GSD, not some dog that you can't take anywhere. don't take your dog to the dog park at first. crazy dogs jumping all over it can be a traumatic experience for a new pup that is still building confidence. it can also show your new pup that some pretty bad behavior is acceptable. at 3 months your dog is ready for the dog park... maybe sooner. have friends come over a lot so your dog gets to be OK with people coming over. also, take your dog as many different places. Home Depot and Lowes usually let you take dogs. people love to pet a puppy so this is a great experience for your dog. Obviously, petsmart and petco allow pets too. make sure you vary the dogs experience. you don't want to always go to petsmart and have the dog OK with the petsmart but the park or home depot is not cool in the dogs mind.
I have a 9mo. old Lab/Boxer(or Pit) mix. He eats Blue Buffalo Chicken & Rice
Dishes: I use a 1qt and a 4qt stainless dish with a rubber non-slip bottom for food and water.
Leash: http://www.ruffwear.com/Flat-Out-Leash_6?sc=2&category=15
Collar: http://www.ruffwear.com/Hoopie-Collar-trade_6?sc=2&category=16
Toys: Nylabones, Kong Braids (they are the only plush toy that lasts more than 8 seconds - they last 2 days instead but the braided part lasts a week or 2)
Crate: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002AT3ME
Brush: Furminator
As someone else mentioned, how much exercise the dog gets daily may be playing a factor in these behaviors. Huskies and labs both are breeds that need a lot of physical activity on a daily basis.
Doggie daycare might be a good option if he is destructive and hurting himself when left alone. Sometimes taking a dog to daycare a few times a week, gives them an outlet for energy and tires them out for a day or two after going. A tired dog is less likely to put the time and energy into trying to escape from it's crate, and will be more balanced and calm overall.
As far as secure crating options, there are heavy duty crates you can buy that have thicker bars and secure locks, but while they will keep the dog contained, they aren't going to solve the underlying anxiety problem your dog is having.
Here is a link to a pretty thorough aspca guide on seperation anxiety and how to manage the behavior.
We use fluoxetine with mine. Its about 15/mo. (Canal St. Vet. Dr Stephanie will need to see the pup and what not)
Also is the dog cage trained? Mine ate a freaking door a few years ago., after eating through his crate.
He did all of this AFTER a 4 mile run.
SO I had to get a crate he could not eat. and work really really hard on making sure he knew the cage was his safe space and he would always get a reward for going in there when we told him too.
That combined with fluoxetine and he now sleeps in his bed under my desk or on the couch and rarely has to go up. (we only put him up if he runs to the door when we are getting ready to leave)
Pup should always be in a kennel if you're not there! This one worked really well for my pups. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QAVNWSK?aaxitk=1LKwoTnZiyptLQiYABTvfg&pd_rd_i=B00QAVNWSK&pf_rd_p=44fc3e0f-4b9e-4ed8-b33b-363a7257163d&hsa_cr_id=4416700210801&sb-ci-n=asinImage&sb-ci-v=https%3A%2F%2Fm.media-amazon.com%2Fimages%2FI%2F91sf00skrsL.jpg&sb-ci-a=B00QAVNWSK
Make sure the crate is just big enough that pup can sit down, stand, get rotate. Make sure its not too big so that way they aren't pooping or peeing in a corner of the crate. If pup is crying when in the crate, ignore it. When she stops crying or barking, give treats. This will help for her to see it's a positive experience and not a negative one. At our house, we also feed meals in the crate and give special toys or treats in the crate.
>does anyone know of a crate that is very hard to get out of? Inescapable even?
I wouldn't say that these crates are absolutely escape-proof in all circumstances, but outside of investing in a custom crate from a company like Rogue or others, a ProSelect Empire crate will work just fine for most escapees.
This was posted on the Austin Pets Alive Facebook page around 1 pm today (link shorteners removed):
"We are expecting several hundred more displaced pets today and this week as we continue our rescue effort for #APAHarvey. We've set up a temporary location at 7711 Burnet Rd. Suite 7723, Austin, TX 78757 for animals.
We need the following things donated ASAP: Donated (not loaned) medium & large wire dog crates (we have heard local places are running low on crates so you can buy from Amazon & get them shipped to the above address: example 1, example 2, sheets (can be used), bath & beach towels (can be used), aluminum food bowls, styrofoam bowls, dog & cat food (meat as 1st ingredient), wet canned cat food, kitty litter, aluminum baking pans (like this for litter boxes), trash bags, bleach, paper towels, dog poop bags, clorox wipes, sponges, hand brooms/dust pans, litter scoopers, leashes (all size- flat), all size martingale collars, mops, mop buckets, push brooms. Please bring donations INSIDE do not leave items outside.
We also need LOTS of volunteers today and in the next several days (volunteers must be 18+ and able to do physical labor). Please fill out this short term volunteer form before coming: https://app.betterimpact.com/Application?OrganizationGuid=3a6c8abe-0a11-4fbb-8beb-ad60b24f68a1&ApplicationFormNumber=2. We are here now so please bring items here or have them shipped to this address and show up to volunteer."
A crazy rabbit lady I know :) uses a medium soft side crate in the back of her car for two +12lbs Flemish giants. She has it set-up like a mini x-pen. Before she use one of the folding wire dog crates. She uses the carrier to transfer them in and out of the car.
Thats good! Just keep an eye out incase he does have another episode of diarrhea as Giarda can have an episodic presentation and not present with symptoms at times.
As far as the crate goes, you only want enough room for him to turn around in and lay down. The idea is that if he were to go in his crate he would have to lay in it. The crate that I purchased came with a divider that you can place in the crate so you can adjust the size as the pup grows. Another thing that I learned is not to use a liner that is super absorbent. At first I was laying a blanket in the crate for my pup to lay on, but occasionally she would just pee on it and it would not be a big deal because the blanket would just absorb it all up and not be much of an inconvenience to her.
If you do end up getting a crate, I can just chime in that I have this 48 inch one and it works well for me. Plus it's only $50 which seems like a good price to me for a crate that big. I only used it a few times with my own grey when we first got her, but I use it for my foster every day. Overall if you plan to have big dogs now and possibly in the future it's just a good thing to have IMO.
That particular bed was Costco and it was only like $35, great deal. Crate and crate pad were from Amazon. Here's the crate...
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000QFWCLY/ref=wms_ohs_product?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Not my dog but my roommates dog had awful separation anxiety. He kept hurting himself more and more every day until we got him something like this https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000Y905XE/ref=mp_s_a_1_16?ie=UTF8&qid=1543383694&sr=8-16&keywords=dog+crate
It's kind of expensive, but compare to the $250 to fix the carpet he tore up, and another $250 to replace the door handle he tore up, multiple crates and any potential vet visits if his behavior escalated any further, totally worth it. Those wire crates are suprisingly easy to tear apart when you have a desperate dog, and each time he manages to get out it just reinforces that behavior.
He finally started to realize that couldn't escape it, and finally the sores in his elbows started to heal, he stopped getting cuts on his paw and nose.
It's not a replacement for training, you really need to hit that hard to help her get over her anxiety, but in the meantime you need to be able to trust that your dog is not tearing up the house, or worse, causing herself damage while you are away.
As far as training:
The bit about waiting for a break in her acting up will only work with a crate she can't escape, otherwise the behavior is causing its own reward and nailing the behavior in more, if you don't get a better crate then I'd say interurrupt the behavior. Walk in, tell her no, but leave her in the crate and leave again, this time going for a shorter interval so that you can return while she is still behaving.
Anyway, you may already be doing some or all of this, but it's how we've approached with both our dogs who initially had some separation anxiety and were not crate trained at all. They both love their crates and will elect to hang out there on their own accord sometimes. And they never cry or make a ruckus when we leave anymore.
Personally I would recommend getting this one, it's the same one I have and it's something you will use for the lifetime of your puppy and can use it for every subsequent dog. It's very sturdy and easy to assemble and a great investment. Make sure you get the plastic pan for the base.
I have a 7 month old male rottie who will end up in the 110 - 120 range.
I got this crate and it has been perfect. I recommend using the divider for crate and potty training.
MidWest iCrate 48" Double Door Folding Metal Dog Crate w/ Divider Panel, Floor Protecting "Roller" Feet & Leak-Proof Plastic Tray; 48L x 30W x 33H Inches, XL Dog Breed https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000QFWCLY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_8DphAbMTZJ4AB
Thank you so much!! Can the SCN fit 3 males though? Idk why but the space seems kind of small.
Im currently using this https://www.amazon.ca/gp/aw/d/B00QAVO07C/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1527451324&sr=8-4&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=amazonbasics+kennel&dpPl=1&dpID=617rCTjjYAL&ref=plSrch right now for 2 males because they dont like to escape. I have it flipped upside down where the large spaced bars allow them to sit on top.
Im getting a new cage bc this one is old and smelly. Would i be better off with buying this again? I fill it with a ton of toys and stuff lots of space to do so.
Edit: im using the 36 inch version actually
OP, here's an example of the type of wire mesh crate that can be collapsed to fit under most couches.
Yeah, you'll want to invest in a new kennel when you can. Once he knows he can get out, he's going to try and get free everytime. So unless you have it totally secure, he's going to be out, (I also own an escape artist).
Here's a relatively cheap one on Amazon: AmazonBasics Double-Door Folding Metal Dog Crate - Medium (36x23x25 Inches) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QAVNWSK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_D9yzzbFC3S7CS
She's just in a canvas dog crate, I believe this is the model: https://www.amazon.com/Noz2Noz-667-Sof-Krate-Indoor-Outdoor/dp/B000P9TNLI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1493226278&sr=8-1&keywords=canvas+dog+crate
We found that we simply had to wait to until our girl outgrew her desire to chew up her crate pads (including the Kong pads which, evidently, are quite weak along the seams).
We use a crate similar to this, which has a soft bottom so lacking a pad isn't that big a deal since it's set on carpet anyway. When she did grow out of it (after about 2-2.5 years), we ended up using some kind of cheap memory foam pad from Groupon. Works fine.
For outside the crate, I like the big Costco beds.
Here's what I would do:
Get a large dog crate ($40). There may be some used or even free online as well, if you're on Nextdoor Neighbor I'd ask there.
Use 2 cc squares and use zipties (lots!) to secure them to the sides. (like $5)
cover the bottom and platforms with coroplast ($20 but that's for a large amount)
total (without decorations) $65.
and then toys of course, and then I would either put the cage in a secure room so they can have minimally supervised play time for several hours (if you need to block under a door- cut some chicken wire, curl it under and secure with some plastic tubing to avoid scratching paint) and make the rest of the room lots of fun. i hope this is some help!
Our Houdini is a 35lb Jack Russel/MinPin/Pit mix with severe separation anxiety who breaks out of EVERYTHING!
I had a stainless steel walled, heavy duty, "Military Working Dog" crate which worked well for containing our Schutzhund GSDs. His little paw could sneak out the front bars and undo the latch.
Wire crate? He couldn't get the bars on the sides, but he was able to grab the ones on top with his teeth, rip them apart individually, then tip the crate so the top was now on the side and walk right out.
Locked in a room? He used his teeth and nails - to the point of smearing blood everywhere - to destroy the door frame and door and free himself.
The best we've found is the ProSelect Empire crate. After plunking down $350 we were disappointed to see him loose again, but we found that with the right carabiner through the latch (a leash clip doesn't cut it!) that he now stays in the crate without escaping. Or maybe he's just waiting for the right opportunity!
I might suggest just purchasing this xpen https://www.amazon.com/MidWest-Foldable-Metal-Exercise-Playpen/dp/B000H8YTJI or these storage cubes https://www.amazon.com/LANGRIA-Storage-Organizer-Products-Portable/dp/B06XR71YW1?ref_=w_bl_hsx_s_ho_web_13643573011 or even this if you are really short on space https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0098L1Z9C/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1. These could be use temporarily now and even after you move...
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But if you absolutely can't maybe just remove the ramps... you don't want the bunny falling off, it has happened and could lead to really bad things - not worth the risk since ferret cages are built much higher up. You could use self adhesive carpet squares to make it grippy, but I think it is honestly dangerous. You clearly love your baby a lot and I just want him to be safe. :) I hope you don't take any of the advice the wrong way....
I’ve got a Noz2Noz 36” soft crate that fits perfectly in the back. I’ve had it about 1.5 years and use it all the time. It’s awesome.
Noz2Noz Soft-Krater Indoor and Outdoor Crate for Pets https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000P9TNLI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_67z6BbQHVKPC8
Toys:
I didn't know about the 2 Week Shutdown when I got my dog and while things turned out okay in the end, I definitely think it would have been VERY beneficial to do it. So best of luck and please update us with pics when she gets home!
Not sure what type of crate you have, but we had to get the [bolt lock](amazonbasics single-door folding metal dog crate - medium (36x23x25 inches) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QAVO29I/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_8zrRAbS2GREVX) since ours figured out how to get out of the [lift door](midwest homes for pets ovation double door dog crate, 36-inch https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00C1OREUW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_wCrRAbRRD3VNY) crate (even with a carabineer like yours).
Since we got the bolt lock no issues of escaping and ours are in the crate while at work. Even when I work from home they will crate themselves for naps and enjoy being in there. If you're worried about boredom you can drop in a rawhide/bone/toy to keep them busy. Our neighbors will leave the tv on for their pup since the noise and activity helps keep them calm. The bitter spray worked really well for our one sibe and luckily our other didn't need it.
Ultimately you'll have to figure out what works best for you and your sibe's personality
Been there; we went through 3 other crates with our escape artist husky before we found this one, larger size ofc. Give it a shot if you're looking for a new one, built like a tank and so far it's the only thing she just cannot damage.
Another note when I was rereading your comment.... Are you using an all metal square crate? Some dogs find those distressing and benefit from a more enclosed option.
I still use these, honestly, but there are other options
I have two crates: one for my car (Hems always rides in her crate) and one for the house. One is a more expensive brand that I can't remember because its down in the car, and one is the AmazonBasics brand. Honestly? No differences between the two - they seem exactly the same and I can't find any quality difference.
A tip for bedding: check out Ross/TjMaxx/Burlington. They have great deals on bedding/mats there, and you can get some really nice ones for rather cheap. Just make sure whatever bedding/mat you get is 100% washable. A lot aren't - and trust me "spot cleaning" isn't going to cut it after a while. You want to be able to toss that sucker in the washing machine.
Oh, one last piece of crate advice: if you get a wire crate (which I'd recommend unless you plan on flying a lot), also get a blanket that can cover the whole crate. It will help with crate training, and also creating a cozy environment. I also got a long plush toy like this, only softer that my dog uses as a pillow/head rest when she's in her crate because the mat is flat.
i was thinking of getting this one https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002AT3ME?pldnSite=1
The bigger crates don't have that problem. 42" Midwest @ Petco is 65.99, 42" Midwest @ Amazon is
75.99
Shipping is expensive. Granted, they're on sale, but I'm pretty sure they're always on sale.
Plus, Petco price matches. You could have gotten your crate in-store at the $25 price if Amazon had the same crate.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B007NIDPZ4/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1521338933&sr=8-3&keywords=extra+large+soft+dog+crate&dpPl=1&dpID=51X4BdsrbmL&ref=plSrch
This is the one we got. Caution, it’s ridiculously big. Caution number two, usually he sleeps on the couch.
Permanent is not ideal, however it may be an option and its always worth asking. Just don't take it personally if they say no. I used a metal permanent crate when I used to swim competitively, in my young years. Being in the pool 2 hrs in the morning and 2 hours in the evening, I was able to work things out with the pool staff, and my coach to make sure my SD had a secure place to be while I was in the pool. The metal one I used could be folded flat when we weren't using it. So it was tucked away in a storage room, and then placed on an extra large plastic step to make sure he didn't get wet when I was there.
Traveling with the team, he would walk me to the starting point and then I would pass his leash on to a designated team mate who would wait with him while I swam.
Those days are long behind me now, however hopefully I can give you some ideas.
Something like this:
https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-Single-Door-Folding-Metal-Crate/dp/B00QAVO43C
I have this one and really like it...also comes with a carrying case, but I use it to take traveling with me so maybe all the extra pockets aren't for you.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007NIDPZ4?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00
That's the plan. Wanted to try this one more time, we really like this crate. It's getting desperate though, the old one is getting rusty and cannot be safe anymore. He breaks the welds on the "indestructible" ones like the one linked below, so I'm thinking we will have to shell out the really big bucks ( which actually pale in comparison to what we've spent) for the military style ones. Those seem dark and gloomy which makes me sad. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000Y905XE/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1448944282&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=indestructible+crate&dpPl=1&dpID=61%2BaQ4diacL&ref=plSrch
Awhile ago my husband and I were interested in getting a soft crate, and we were actually going to get this one but it was on back order and we needed a crate sooner than later. This soft crate would most likely work for you, I'm actually still interested in getting it out of convenience. Dimensions are 48"L x 32" W x 38.5" H and I'd recommend taking a look at the reviews, some people bought the crate for their great dane or irish wolfhound.
Also, just came across this one. It is slightly shorter and a lot more expensive, but better reviews on average.
Anyway, good luck finding the right soft crate!
This is the kennel I bought for him. The reviews looked really good and there are over 11,000 of them. Do you really think we should buy another one?
Or amazon does this one which is 122x76x82.5cm
Yeah, you’re most likely not going to be able to find the exact top for your pen. You can either purchase a pen with top, or a crate for $42 that has similar dimensions to your pen.
AmazonBasics Double-Door Folding Metal Dog Crate - Medium (36x23x25 Inches) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QAVNWSK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_W8wZAbYE09QWE
Hello, I’ve got a golden too!! This is the link of the crate I’ve bought, the measures are in cm. It’s still perfect now he’s got 1 y old, we use it for long travels/holidays... my pup was very comfy in it and he didn’t complain once during our first travel together, it was 3 hours by car.
https://www.amazon.it/dp/B00QAVNWSK/ref=pe_3310731_185740161_TE_item_image
For Goldens fur I don’t advise you the furminator, breeder and groomer both told me that it ruins the undercoat. So I’d suggest you to buy just a comb and a cardator rake.
If you wash him by yourself search a good shampoo, and don’t buy the first one you find (my mistake) but better ask your groomer or breeder.
Goldens love to nip a lot, invest in good safe chews!!! My golden doesn’t care about chews that don’t smell, and didn’t care about plastic ones (but well every golden is different).
One last thing, subscribe to
r/goldenretriever and post there some cute pictures please!
Wow! What I'd give to have the american amazon prices this is the Canadian listing
Quinn is 70 pounds and about 23' at the withers so if the crate we had before was the size it says it is then it really should fit him but he just sits sadly in it crouching because he's too big.
I assume this was targeted at me, just fyi since you didn't reply directly I didn't get alerted!
Things like a fan (~$60) dedicated to him in his room, and an elevated bed (~$21) to better facilitate keeping him cool that we managed to fit in his crate (orange may have pics?).
Some items to save US headaches include rug tape (~$15) to keep him and our stuff from getting slid around as he plays, a light-weight crate (~$86) for when we bring him with us to places and need a place for him to lay down and relax, mainly for when we are doing stuff with our other dog.
LOTS of clickers were purchased just so they are always handy. Some other oddities, like balance balls and stuff just to get him used to being on strange surfaces. This is mainly to set him up for future competition success, though.
Bitter Apple spray to make sure he doesn't chew things he shouldn't (rugs, shoes, couches, chairs, base board, electrical wires...basically anything that isn't his toy got sprayed daily for the first few weeks). Lots of Natures Miracle & paper towels to clean up any accidents.
I have two these crates for the Aussies, and I like them. My only complaint is the mesh is almost too tight, and they can get a little stuffy sometimes, especially if you need to cover it at all.
I also have an Elitefield, which I like too. I really like the mesh on top, but the weave is not as tight as the Pet Nation crate, although it still feels pretty durable. The support poles are a little easier to line up and lock together on the Pet Nation crates, but the Elitefield is super similar and still pretty easy. It also has the side door, which I've only used once or twice in the year I've had it, but it's handy when the need arises.
Noz2Noz is the brand I originally wanted before I picked up the Pet Nation crates, but they were quite a bit more money at the time. Both brands are made by the same company so quality should be similar or better. I see these at agility trials a lot. However, I've never seen a Noz2Noz fold the way those instructions show, which I'm pretty sure are actually the instructions for the Nature's Miracle crate
http://www.amazon.com/Firstrax-NOZTONOZ-Sof-Krate-Indoor-Outdoor/dp/B000P9TNLI/ref=pd_sim_sbs_petsupplies_1?tag=mercubrows-20
this is what I have. It is very sturdy.
ok
This is the one I have. I'm like 99% certain mine is the 36" one. My golden is 55 lbs and about 22" at the withers. If you want to give him more space, going up to the 42" one isn't an issue. More to carry around but also more lounging space, which I'm sure your dog won't complain about!
No idea why there's a price difference without seeing the crates. A simple wire one like this should be fine and you can put a bed in there that you like. This is the largest size, since you said your dog is a large breed, but the crate should be big enough that your dog can stand up and turn around comfortably, and not much bigger. You might be able to find a used one on Craigslist as well.
You said the dog was getting a 30-45 minute walk in the afternoon, is that still happening? If not then that's probably a big part of the problem. I know you said you have money problems, but if you can find the money for a dog walk each day that would work wonders. In NYC I would pay between $20-25 for a half hour walk. I don't want to come off as a dick but having a dog is a big financial responsibility. You certainly shouldn't go into debt to take care of him but maybe you can shift your expenses around until you get on your feet? Or tighten your belt. How much will it ultimately cost you to replace the things he destroys? Something to consider. Walking your dog and getting that exercise as well as mental stimulation from exploring his neighborhood is very beneficial to your dogs health imo. You'll find a way as along as you try. Good luck!
http://www.amazon.com/ProSelect-ZW179-37-Empire-Cages/dp/B000Y905XE/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1458812218&sr=8-2&keywords=indestructible+crate
I agree with the others about trying to fix the separation anxiety. I have a rescue that was an escape artist.Left out of the crate she crushed door knobs trying to escape the house. That didn't work so she went through the glass door. I tried doggie daycare - during the times she was in their kennel she broke the rest of her canine teeth trying to escape. Tried drugs and a twice daily dog walker. Took her to training. Got a dog behaviorist. Go the diffuser. My vet finally told me that there was not much else she could think of to do. She had worked with me tirelessly. I tried leaving my girl alone for 5 minutes and then 10 minutes on thru to hours. NOTHING worked. I took her for mile long walks/runs before leaving her. I got the crate above - it's expensive but it was comforting to know she wasn't going to hurt herself. That worked for a really long 2 years. I hated it but there wasn't much else I could think of for her. Now I live in the country. She has a 10x10 pen she stays in during the day that my husband reinforced so she couldn't escape and between our two schedules she's in there 5 hours M-F with the run of the land the rest of the time. Her anxiety has been reduced now that I'm married. She used to howl if she was in the house with my husband but I wasn't home from work yet. Now she just lies on the couch waiting for me to come home. Sometimes we drive in and she's asleep in the pen and really calm before we let her out.
MidWest Foldable Metal Exercise Pen / Pet Playpen. Black w/ door, 24"W x 36"H https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002904LZE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_tM3DCbSH0B5CA
And the crate AmazonBasics Double-Door Folding Metal Dog Crate - 36 Inches https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QAVNWSK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_5M3DCbABSQCRM
You may want to anchor the pen to the wall to prevent a dog from moving it on say a hard floor surface. We used two eyelets we screwed into studs and secured it to the eyelets using climbing clips.
Hi
Sorry it took me awhile to reply! Here's a link to the one we have:
https://www.amazon.com/Noz2Noz-667-Sof-Krate-Indoor-Outdoor/dp/B000P9TNLI/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1481854239&sr=8-5&keywords=Dog+soft+travel+crate
yea, I'm leaving the crate setup (in a different spot, without the bed) to see where she goes. I want to learn if its the bed or the crate that she loves more.
The crate I have is a wire crate that folds flat pretty easily. It's just heavy and bulky (for when I have to move it to a sitters) and takes up so much space.
I take it you're referring to this? Hopefully I can find a less expensive version lol.
I just got a soft crate for my Aussie and he loves it. Sleeps in it with the doors rolled open every night. Used it for his original transport from his foster home outside the city. This was the one I bought. it collapses down to the just the footprint and they give you a giant sleeve to slip it in to and carry with.
I'm in the almost exact same scenario as you including the age and gender- and have come across the idea of utilizing a large dog kennel with a "moat" as an alternative to a safe room - I live in a 1 bedroom basement apartment and can't really use my bathroom as well
I did post on /r/pets as well hoping to get some input as there doesn't seem to be much information apart from various pet sites such as (adoptapet.com)
Personally I am inclined to believe this method would work very much the same as having another room; the only thing would be the kitten being lonely at night when I sleep or when I'm away at work- as both instances I leave my current cat shut in my bedroom
I'm looking at purchasing a 36x23x25 kennel from amazon and propping it up on a unused table I have in the living room and covering it partially with fabric (https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00QAVO29I/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=A3DWYIK6Y9EEQB&psc=1)
I'd love to hear an update if you decide to go on with getting a 2nd cat/kitten before I do :)