Help, my dog is destroying my basement.

[sonofaconch]

About three months ago, my wife and I adopted 1 1/2 year old (give or take) rotti/shepherd. We had been leaving him in the basement when we we’re at work or school, but he has pulled up the carpet three different times, in three different spots. We tried restricting him to a bathroom, but he started taking up the tile! We have a crate which he stays in while we are out for short amounts of time. He is pretty comfortable with it, but should we use it for all day? We have been trying to avoid it, so he could have more space, but he seems to be getting himself in trouble, and we happen to like our basement. Thoughts? I'm not crazy about locking him up all day, but neither one of us feels like we can trust the little monster.

[emillinium]

The Crate Is A Great Idea, Do It!

[AngelBunny]

You have a choice.

You put Fido into a crate where he stays safe and is not able, therefore, to chew or ingest something that could, at best, make him sick, at worst, kill him.

It doesn't seem much of a choice to me.

[Troy]

Yes you'll need to crate until the dog is reliable being alone in the house.
It's the safest way.

[Sharon Marples]

Is an outdoor kennel an option? You could get the portable panels that Home Depot or the other home supply houses sell and set him up outside. A nice dog house and a tarp to cover him from the heat, rain or snow and he would be set up.

If he is a digger, then put chain link down first, cover it with a rock or dirt base and then set the kennel panels on it. That way he won't be able to dig out of the kennel.

If that is not an option, do you have a garage you could set a kennel up in?

[sonofaconch]

Thanks for the input all. Sharon: What do the panels look like? Are we talking about chain-link? How high would you recommend for a kennel? My boy has a pretty good vertical leap.

[winniecnm]

The panels are usually 6 feet high by 6-12 feet long. They are sold in groups of four and have clamps to hold the panels together. I have one that is 9 gauge chainlink fence which is very strong. Personally I don't care for the 11 ga. We put a roof on our kennel and horse mats for a floor so the dog can't dig. I also took it a step further and bolted 4' high 1/4 inch thick plywood to the chainlink panels once they were set up - this helped keep the kennel a bit better shaded in the summer, and when it is cooler out it helps keep out the wind and the rain as well. My bitch can scale her way out of the kennel, so a roof is a must...They do sell these kennels in 8' high sections but it is hard to find a store that carries them. Best part is that you can get more sections and confiure the kennel to as large as you want to. My uncle fenced in a 40x40 section of his yard with these panels.

Our kennel we bought from a local feed store and we paid $450 back about 5 years ago. It has been by far one of the best items I have invested in my dogs, right up there with my Vari Kennels. Home Depot usually sells their kennel for $200 - which is the basic 11 gauge 6x10 version.

[Sharon Marples]

The panels are 6 x 6 or 6 x 12. You can usually get any size with or without a gate. At most of the stores I have seen, you do not have to buy them in groups. You should be able to find them separately so you can build it to the size you want. Sometimes, if you have an existing wall they can be attached to, you will only need to purchase 3 sides.

Be sure to get additional wire to cover the top if he is a climber or jumper and put something down for the bottom if he is a digger.

[macho rottie]

I don't know if you have a Costco out there but they sell the outdoor kennel here as a complete kit, gate and all. No roof though.