Crate questions (which type and size?)

[SC]

Hi all:

We recently received a 3 year old, 80 to 85 lb girl. In her previous home, she mostly had the run of the house, though she was ocasionally crated in a plastic VariKennel crate. In my situation, I will need to crate her while I'm at work, for around 8 hours 5 days a week. A couple of questions:

1) Since she is used to a plastic crate, should I be consistent with her and buy another plastic crate, or do you think she would adapt to a wire crate ?

2) She fits in a 500 size, but since she will be crated for 8 hours at a time, should I go with a larger 700 size, which would be roomier for her ?

Thanks very much.

[nick teifke]

I like the larger wire crates, although they take up quite a bit of room :) You can order them out of foster & smith type magazines, or I know PetsMart carries them, although you may be able to find a better deal through the magazines.
Good luck!

[Lora Lee]

I do prefer the plastic porter as a crate, and is what I use for confinement. For a few different reasons.

IF our dogs were in the wild, they (many) would live in a den..which would be enclosed and dark, or more simular to a hole in the ground.

A true crate is much like a cage, and frankly I don't understand how it compares to a den or cave. Looks like a cage to me.

There should only be enough room to stand and turn around with ease, pups within a litter are used to small sleeping quarters, or sleeping on top of one another even when there's plenty of room...leads me to believe they like that "closeness".

I also don't feed or water them inside. It is a place of rest, but I don't leave them in for 8 hours at a time either. Some will disagree here, but 4-6 hours is my max for an adult dog.

If your new addition is used to this type of crate, I'd stick with it. Since she is 3 do you know if they still used the crate with her??? Beacuse I would again start slowly getting her used to being inside.

I use the XL.

[delila]

Hi.
I have 2 rottweilers.

I have a 1.4 year old male who is about 110 lbs, and a 7 month old female who is 80 lbs.

Both of them have the same crate.

The dimensions are
29 inches wide
35 inches tall
and
47 inches deep.

They are black wire cages, and they work great.

My dogs get pretty hot quickly, so these are great for ventilation.

There is an online store called jbpet.com, and they have these cages for about 75.00.

Well worth the money.

[2rotties2luv]

I too use the metal wire crates for my rotties. I find they are easier to clean and longer lasting than the plastic VariKennels.
The crate should be just large enough for the dog to stand up and turn around in.
I cover the top & sides of the crates with an old sheet or bedspread to make them more "den-like". I can fold the cloth back a bit when it gets hot in the summer.
One trick - I cut a piece of felt carpet padding (found a remnant at the hardware store for $2.50)just a little larger than the crate bottom and put it underneath the crate. Then the crate won't mar the floor or carpet that's underneath. Also makes it much easier to slide the crate on the floor so you can vacuum behind it.

[LucyJ]

I prefer the wire crates for a few reasons...
- they come in much larger sizes
- they cost alot less
- fold down easily for travel
- much better venthilation

I just throw a thin bedsheet over the top and sides for the "den" affect. I also bought a couple of beds from BJ's for around $18 that I put in each crate to make it nice and comfy. And since she's going to be in there so long I would get a small dish that attatches to the side of the crate so she can have some water available while you're gone.

[luvarott]

WHY do you NEED to crate this adult dog??

She is long past puppy chewing/piddling stages, and has already proved herself quite capable of having the run of the house...
If you don't have a dog friendly house ie.valuable possessions not easily accessible/poisons under lock and key....then why don't you just designate one room of the house as her playspot for when you are away and baby gate it or close the door?? Leave her some safe toys/water bowl/teach her to use a mat as a bed.....and arrange to have someone come in midway thru the day to give her a break....