SamiiLynn
I have a very hyper puppy that is just about full grown, she is a little over 5 months old and the vet says she won't get much bigger. she is taller than we expected and her head can reach the top of her wire crate. She can walk in and turn fully around but can't lay straight out. Is it too small?
If we get her a bigger crate:
-Would a carrier type crate calm her down a little because its dark and den like? (We can't put a blanket over the wire crate because she pulls it in and chews on it.)
-Which is better, a wire crate or a carrier type?
My puppy is a beagle corgi mix. The father was uknown but we think border collie. Her crate is Something like H 21" L 23" W 18".
I know I have asked this question once before but different people maybe on and i would also like to hear their imput.
Thank You!
Answer
I am glad to see that whether or not to crate is not the issue, but what size and type of crate is best for your puppy. Crating is important for the health and welfare of any dog, but especially a young puppy who does not know enough to stay out of stuff that could hurt or kill her.
That being said, yes, it sounds like you do need a new and larger crate. I would actually go up two sizes, as at less than 6 months old, your puppy still has a lot of growing to do. Most puppies still have approximately 1/4 to 1/3 of their total growth to do after 6 months of age.
What type of crate is more of a function of personal preference of the dog - in most cases. I do greyhound rescue, and typically, we recommend the wire crates because these are the closest to the type of crates used at the track. These come in two styles, what we call pin crates as the crate is held together by long pins that go in the corners to provide stability, and what we call suitcase crates because they fold up and are more easily stored or transported when necessary.
I prefer the suitcase variety unless I have a dog who is very distructive and will demolish the folding crate by forcing an end to pop out of position in an attempt to escape. For these guys and gals, I keep a couple of pin crates on hand.
The other type of crate, is a varikennel or airline crate. These are made of rigid plastic and are fairly sturdy unless you have a real chewer who can and will chew thru the crate wall to escape. These work fairly well for smaller breed dogs, but just really can't stand up to the punishment of most large breeds.
Some dogs do not like to be enclosed in small spaces. For these dogs, the vari kennel is not a good option. They will develop more problems when they have to be crates for long periods (over night or when you are gone to work all day). They are necessary if you plan to travel with your pet, as most hotels that allow dogs require this type of crate, and all airlines require them.
I would, personally, choose the wire crate. If you want to disguise it, there are some that have a basket type of weave covering the walls and top of the crate, so that it looks more like a piece of furniture. A chewer will make short work of this, but it will look better than just having the plain wire crate. If you have dogs, however, most people understand that you also need a crate for your dog, so folks are a lot less formal about how it looks sitting in the living room or family room.
Good luck, and I hope you are able to find the right kind of crate for you and your puppy.
I am glad to see that whether or not to crate is not the issue, but what size and type of crate is best for your puppy. Crating is important for the health and welfare of any dog, but especially a young puppy who does not know enough to stay out of stuff that could hurt or kill her.
That being said, yes, it sounds like you do need a new and larger crate. I would actually go up two sizes, as at less than 6 months old, your puppy still has a lot of growing to do. Most puppies still have approximately 1/4 to 1/3 of their total growth to do after 6 months of age.
What type of crate is more of a function of personal preference of the dog - in most cases. I do greyhound rescue, and typically, we recommend the wire crates because these are the closest to the type of crates used at the track. These come in two styles, what we call pin crates as the crate is held together by long pins that go in the corners to provide stability, and what we call suitcase crates because they fold up and are more easily stored or transported when necessary.
I prefer the suitcase variety unless I have a dog who is very distructive and will demolish the folding crate by forcing an end to pop out of position in an attempt to escape. For these guys and gals, I keep a couple of pin crates on hand.
The other type of crate, is a varikennel or airline crate. These are made of rigid plastic and are fairly sturdy unless you have a real chewer who can and will chew thru the crate wall to escape. These work fairly well for smaller breed dogs, but just really can't stand up to the punishment of most large breeds.
Some dogs do not like to be enclosed in small spaces. For these dogs, the vari kennel is not a good option. They will develop more problems when they have to be crates for long periods (over night or when you are gone to work all day). They are necessary if you plan to travel with your pet, as most hotels that allow dogs require this type of crate, and all airlines require them.
I would, personally, choose the wire crate. If you want to disguise it, there are some that have a basket type of weave covering the walls and top of the crate, so that it looks more like a piece of furniture. A chewer will make short work of this, but it will look better than just having the plain wire crate. If you have dogs, however, most people understand that you also need a crate for your dog, so folks are a lot less formal about how it looks sitting in the living room or family room.
Good luck, and I hope you are able to find the right kind of crate for you and your puppy.
Wire or plastic crate for small dog?
Ringo+Star
I am getting a toy poodle at an adult she will be 8lbs tops.
I want to know which crate and which size would be best for her.
I know it should be big enough for her to move around but I'm not sure how big that is and what if its too big?
Answer
For a small dog, I would suggest a plastic, travel-type of crate. It is easier to travel with (you can put it in the car with the seat-belt through the handle) and smaller breeds seem to need their crates more often outside the house (we take our Papillon everywhere in his crate if he is going in the car). Seat-belt harnesses are just not designed for small dogs, so a crate is safer, and a wire crate isn't practical in the backseat of a car.
Also, a plastic crate is more "den like" than an open, wire crate. Plastic crates are also more affordable and just as sturdy. Also, if you ever plan on bringing your dog on a plane, you will have to use a plastic crate for him, wire is not allowed.
PS: For best sizing, go by your dogs expected height. Weight means nothing when purchasing an appropriate sized crate. The dog needs to be able to stand up, so it has to be that tall and wide enough for him to circle around once in it.
For a small dog, I would suggest a plastic, travel-type of crate. It is easier to travel with (you can put it in the car with the seat-belt through the handle) and smaller breeds seem to need their crates more often outside the house (we take our Papillon everywhere in his crate if he is going in the car). Seat-belt harnesses are just not designed for small dogs, so a crate is safer, and a wire crate isn't practical in the backseat of a car.
Also, a plastic crate is more "den like" than an open, wire crate. Plastic crates are also more affordable and just as sturdy. Also, if you ever plan on bringing your dog on a plane, you will have to use a plastic crate for him, wire is not allowed.
PS: For best sizing, go by your dogs expected height. Weight means nothing when purchasing an appropriate sized crate. The dog needs to be able to stand up, so it has to be that tall and wide enough for him to circle around once in it.
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