Tell me all about dog cages
Discussion
Hi Coco,
I'd never crated a dog before, but when we got our dog, I thought it best, as Murph is a tad nervous at the best of times.
Best thing i ever did, took to it straight away, put a couple of my old t-shirts in (recently worn) so there's something in there with a freindly scent on. Quite happy to go in there when we go out, and even goes in of his own accord - he sees it as a safe place. never put a dog in their crate to tell them off.
We're trying to slowly wean him off it - bring him up to bed at night, that sort of thing, but i would say to anybody getting a puppy to give it a go. Pets at home sell them - I was lucky i've borrowed mine from a neighbour - when i return it, it will have a couple of decent bottles of wine alongside
I'd never crated a dog before, but when we got our dog, I thought it best, as Murph is a tad nervous at the best of times.
Best thing i ever did, took to it straight away, put a couple of my old t-shirts in (recently worn) so there's something in there with a freindly scent on. Quite happy to go in there when we go out, and even goes in of his own accord - he sees it as a safe place. never put a dog in their crate to tell them off.
We're trying to slowly wean him off it - bring him up to bed at night, that sort of thing, but i would say to anybody getting a puppy to give it a go. Pets at home sell them - I was lucky i've borrowed mine from a neighbour - when i return it, it will have a couple of decent bottles of wine alongside
Edited by celticpilgrim on Wednesday 6th October 12:18
Can't give too much advice as I've never used them myself, but just a word of advice. If there is any way your dog might jump up onto the cage or even put his front paws on the top, make sure the holes are small enough. I saw a lurcher who snapped both his front legs by jumping up and putting his front paws on top, they fell through and broke 
He was a sorry sight with one bright green cast and one bright pink cast!
He was a sorry sight with one bright green cast and one bright pink cast!
spikeyhead said:
Simpo Two said:
As a cat owner it seems entirely barbaric to me. If you can't trust your dog not to eat your house, why have one?
A dog cage is to provide a space that the dog can think of as his own. Very beneficial to a nervous dog to have a space that he "knows" is safe.http://search.barnesandnoble.com/How-to-Live-with-...
They're brilliant.
Buy nicer rather than cheaper, as you'll constantly be opening and closing the door, folding it to put in the car, moving it around the house (although, very swiftly, our puppy was happy enough in there to not make a difference if we weren't in the room).
Our border collie pup learnt how to open (unlock) the door, get in and close it behind her if she wanted peace when the kids were running riot!
Buy nicer rather than cheaper, as you'll constantly be opening and closing the door, folding it to put in the car, moving it around the house (although, very swiftly, our puppy was happy enough in there to not make a difference if we weren't in the room).
Our border collie pup learnt how to open (unlock) the door, get in and close it behind her if she wanted peace when the kids were running riot!
Simpo Two said:
As a cat owner it seems entirely barbaric to me. If you can't trust your dog not to eat your house, why have one?
OP, we got ours from Ebay. The largest they did, and I would say get it a good week before the puppy arrives.. But when you say a large dog, how big are you talking, as you don't want the crate to be too large for the dog as that will negate a lot of it's use, believe it or not.... Oh, the one we got was not a "cage" but really just the sides so that we could take it to the garden etc.. and it folded up nicely to go back in the loft...Simpo, actually it's good for a dog, it has it's own place to feel safe etc and it helps them sleep and house train as they don't soil where they sleep. We kept ours for a few months after it was needed, just left the door open, and the mutt would quite often be asleep in there...And she still now rushes to the corner where it was when we go out (as we would put treats in her crate).. I honestly wished I'd known about crate training years ago...
We recently got one for our Collie pup , we only leave him for an hour or so but within that time he can destroy pretty much anything within reach so it's prefereable to losing our kitchen table , chairs and cabinets. The first time he wasn't too impressed but he's used to it now , has no problems going into it , in fact he uses it as a kennel and like's the security when he's sleeping. Don't leave a bowl of water inside as it will last about two minutes before going everywhere , get one of the "rabbit" drinker type things. Get the largest one that's practical , the ones on e bay have a sizing guide relative to the dog you have.
Large enough for a young a growing lab to be able to still stand up and turn around comfortably when it's a few months old (ie 8-9 months) without knocking bowls over etc. It should be able to lie down comfortably, stretched out if it wants and not look cramped and be able to wag its tail without too much crashing of the sides. So look for cages with the image of an 8 month old pup in mind, not an 8 week old one.
Paddy_N_Murphy said:
Coco H said:
for a lab that doesn't exist yet but I likes to do my research
We bought the biggest we could for our Lab, but don't waste too much money. we only used it for a few months.....
It's worth looking in free ads etc as most stay in good condition due to short usage time and people don't want them round the house once they've had their use as even when flattened they can be difficult to store!
Simpo Two said:
I completely understand the personal space/security thing, but wouldn't a plastic dog bed + blanket do?
If dogs are going to be destructive they usually do most of the damage in the first 15 mins then fall asleep and usually due to some stress etc. A cage gives pups/ dogs a place of safety/ security/ a reassurance and will settle more quickly as they are less stressed when left etc and not cause damage. Not all pups need them, some breeds benefit more than others, our whippet never damaged furniture etc when left so didn't need one for that but it may have stopped him sneaking into my bag and eating a load of ibuprofen when I was out!!The cage is also a safe haven from young children for dogs!
Cages must only be used for overnight, if being left for a while or for sleeping quarters/ a break (a way to wind down), never for punishment or to be shut in for any length when the owner is home.
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