I'm looking to buy a wire crate for my Golden Retriever puppy, who should be coming home in March. I'm reaching out to see if a crate with these dimensions would be big enough: L 93 x W 62 x H 69 cm??
Do any of you use one, and what are the pros and cons?
It’ll be his own little den for when he wants to settle down and have some peace and quiet. It'll also be useful for when we're travelling or staying away from home.
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I’ve just come across your post and with only a week to go until we bring home our little Golden, I’m asking myself the same questions about her well-being: making sure she feels settled and doesn't feel lost or panicked.
Hi, I’m not really a fan of locking them in a crate. My Jack Russell has always had a bed and a travel crate (which I keep open as I’ve taken the door off) that she uses as a den; she has the choice to go in whenever she likes. She’s used to being on her own now (for up to 5 hours) and is well-behaved, provided that I’ve taken her out for at least an hour before leaving her. And she sleeps through the night (pretty much from 9.30pm to 7.30am). When she was a puppy, to get her used to being alone, we just did the usual things (gradually increasing the length of time away and making sure she’d burnt off plenty of energy on a walk before and after). Puppies sleep a lot anyway (e.g. after her morning toilet break and breakfast, she’d play for 30 mins, then have a big 2-hour nap, then another toilet break, another hour of play, then back to sleep, etc.). Since she wasn't house-trained yet, to limit the area I had to clean up while I was out, she only had access to the kitchen and the bathroom. But she was never locked in a crate, whether during the day, at night, or while I was away. She never destroyed anything, except for nibbling the legs of a chair and some books left on the floor when her adult teeth were coming in (and a slipper that became her "blankie" – my fault really, I should have put it away). Obviously, you have to remember to pick up any rugs and learn to tidy your things away during that phase. So, I’d say yes to a travel crate to use as a den, but one that always stays open (ideally "covered" on the top and sides, as the dog will feel much more secure with a roof over their head and will be left in peace). Regarding the size, you can go to a pet shop with your dog (they’re usually allowed in) and you’ll be able to try out the different sizes. I’d recommend waiting until the puppy arrives, then house-training them and getting them used to being alone bit by bit in the standard way, teaching them what they can and can’t chew, and so on. And well, a bit of mischief is only to be expected at that age! :-)
I'm going to take your advice and won't get one. I'll take it one step at a time to teach him how to stay home alone and build up that trust. :)
I'm going to buy him a lovely, comfy bed where he can feel really settled. As for the Kong, I'm going to have a blast making different recipes to stuff it with. :p
I personally think it’s best not to jump straight to using a crate (which I find a bit of a last resort) and focus on the usual training steps first :)
If your dog is house-trained and calm indoors, why lock them up when they could just settle nicely in their bed and wander around the rooms they’re allowed in? :)
That said, I think a crate can be an option as long as it’s used for the right reasons, respects the dog's needs, and is used correctly.
When it comes to toys, mine only ever uses KONGs (and an old bit of a scarf she nicked from my cupboard when she first arrived, which she treasures more than anything ^^)
Thanks for the replies! :) I certainly wasn't planning on keeping him in there all day. I was thinking of using it overnight and for when I have to pop out for a short while.
@BeCool, my question is based on advice I've been given, but I haven't made a final decision yet. This will be my first dog, so I'm grateful for any tips. Do you think I can manage without a crate? I definitely plan to teach my puppy how to be left alone. I’ve already bought a Kong and will be ordering some different toys soon.
A crate is not a suitable living environment for a dog. I suggest you both check the legal minimum requirements for living space under the Animal Welfare Act.
You are keeping your dogs in less than 11 square feet; please recognise that.
@Sm21, why are you so intent on putting this puppy in a crate before you’ve even tried any separation training?
This is a show-style crate; it isn’t suitable for car travel at all, either.
Hi,
My Staffy’s crate is 110 x 75 x 70cm and it's perfect for her, but your dog is going to be a bigger build. It looks fine for a puppy, but if you want him to use it as an adult, it might be a tad small in my opinion :)
It all depends on whether you're planning on shutting him in while you're out. Once he's full-grown, it'll be a bit of a squeeze if he has to stay in there for several hours.
Basically: fine for a puppy, and okay for an adult too as far as I'm concerned, as long as it's not all day ^^
As for the benefits of crating, I've found so many. My dog used to wreck everything when I was out; she was really stressed and the crate helped to settle her. She loves her little space now, and I leave it open whenever I'm at home.
A crate is great if used correctly: left open as a spot for the dog to rest or sleep, and closed if you don't want them having free rein of the house (and your furniture!) while you're away. BUT only in small doses, with plenty of long walks to let off steam and get their exercise quota.
