What size crate should I use?

Ashley

I have two boxers that I will be crate training at once...
One is going to be around 55 pounds and one should be 45.

I wanted to keep them in the same crate, but don't know what size to get.
Maybe an XXL size for the both of them?

Answer
You can't keep them in the same crate. They both need their own. You buy a crate based on size, breed, and height of the dog.

You can find them here for almost 70% less than the store:
http://www.dogsupplies.com/products/Easy-Dog-Crate-With-Double-Latching-Door.html

Positive reinforcement as I start crate training an adult dog, training tips and ideas needed?

Peter Grif

Back story-
We rescued an Alaskan Malamute from an animal hoarder- she was in real bad shape when we got her.. Emaciated and easily 40lbs underweight, bacterial and fungal infection in both ears, Staph infection on her skin, etc. We fixed her up nicely! About 3 months ago we had our first "real issue" with her--- she ate a baseball hat, a tube sock and a cat toy. Tube sock and baseball hat came up, but cat toy got stuck in her stomach and we spent the $2,300 on life saving surgery..
We changed food, started free feeding and really cleaned up our home after this, determined that it wouldnt happen again.... . but last week she did it again! She's extremely tall and very large (39inches at the top of the head and 140lbs) and she can reach counters and tabletops with ease!
Went to the vet, did a barium X ray ($300) and found it was a "sock or some type of material in her instestines"..... We just can't afford a 2nd surgery for $2300! We've already spent over $4,000 on this dog in the last 8 months with all her medical problems! She seems to have passed this sock on her own after a touch and go few nights of lethargy, she seems to be back to her old self, eating and drinking (and not vomiting), thank God!
We just spent $200 on an XXL dog crate, since she's proven herself to us and the vet to have "canine pica"... a small price to pay to ensure this doesnt happen again while we are at work! We've never crate trained before and certainly havent with an adult dog--- so I implore you, Dog Section, please provide me with some tips and training ideas to make this new crate a positive experience and a safe, private place for our troublesome Mal!

Thanks a lot!
Added info- They both run 5-7 miles a day with me. They also have weight pullling harnesses and will haul logs and rocks around our acreage. They get more exercise than most dogs would need (cause they need more exercise than almost all breeds)

Answer
Sounds like she is quite the challenge!

The goal should be to make the crate the funnest place for her to be. Place random treats in the crate and walk away, leaving her time to find them. Do the same thing with toys. Put a nice Kong in there with something frozen in it, like yogurt or apple sauce. Reward her with something nice every time she goes in the crate without having to be coaxed. Do some crate training when you are home, so she doesn't get anxious.

Place the crate in an area where she can monitor your location, but not in a thoroughfare where she doesn't feel safe.

Play soft music when you are not home, or leave the TV on for her, so she can relax. I have also found it helpful to cover the crate with a blanket, so it resembles a den. I don't recommend a crate pad, though, if she is eating that much stuff.

Good luck!

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