What size crate should I use?

[daisymama12]

First off, we have a new dog! He is a "lab mix". He is just under 48 lbs, but quite thin.

The SPCA estimated he was 8 months old, but I looked at his teeth, and there is some yellowing on the back teeth. From what I learned online, that means he's at least 1. If that's the case, he won't be getting much taller.

I've never crate trained before. What size crate should I get? A friend has lent me a medium vari kennel. I have been luring him to it slowly with treats, but he's only put his nose in so far - we're taking our time. It's no rush, given that we've left him twice so far, once for 20 mins, once for 2 hours, and he didn't destroy anything (such a good boy!).

Anyhow, the medium crate looks like he'd just fit in - is that too small?

Also, how important is crate training, if destructiveness is not an issue?

Thanks!

[Ola_]

You want him to be able to stand up straight, turn around, and lie down in it. Can he do that in the current crate?

For getting him used to the crate you can try taking the top half off and putting some blankets in the bottom to make it cozy, that may make it less scary at first. Also, another good trick is to put a really yummy treat (a piece of cheese, or soft training treats are great) inside the crate and close the door - with the dog on the outside of the closed crate. If it's a good enough treat most dogs will want to get in there to get that treat and it will build the association of crate = good for them. Let him ponder that for a minute or two, then open the door and let him get it out.

Also, if you only have one dog I'd start leaving treats in the crate at random times so he can find them. Most dogs will get into the habit of checking their crate to see what the "crate fairy" left in there.

Crate training is a very good idea. It's great if you ever need to travel or kennel your dog, it will make the experience much less stressful. Also if they're ever ill and need to stay at the vet's for a while they will get kenneled/crated. It's a very good life skill to have.

[daisymama12]

No, he can't stand up straight and turn around. He could do it with crouching, I think.
I'll return this one, and find another, hopefully second hand.
Thanks for the suggestions, I will use your suggestions. I already had a nice blanket in the crate, but the top was on.

Your points about their importance make sense - we may well have to kennel him at some point. It's just that they're SO big, and our home is not.
Oh well. We'll find a corner for it somewhere.

Right now he's lying beside me on his dog bed. He certainly knows it's his spot. I figure it won't be that hard to add another spot of his own.

thanks for the advice!

[rhiOrion]

Yep, like the PP said you want it to be big enough to stand up and turn around comfortably.

But, you don't want it to be TOO big, either. Dogs (most dogs, at least) are very reluctant to soil their living area, but if the crate is too big, then they have room to pee/poop and then get away from it.

But given how big crates are, and that you say your house isn't, you probably don't want a huge one, anyhow.

I love my wire crate- it folds down to be pretty small. And it has a removeable tray in the bottom.

[KatieBonita]

The nice thing about a crate is it's a very safe place for them to be, especially if they're in an unfamiliar or potentially unsafe environment. If someone breaks a glass or plate, dogs go in the crate until clean up has happened. It can also work as a 'time out' zone if they're over excited and just need to chill out. It's important that it's not a punishment zone, because then it isn't fun anymore, but mine get completely hyper sometimes and can't calm themselves down. Putting them in their crate for 30 sec - 2 min while I sit in front of it does the trick SO well.

We do what the PP said and have blankets/towels in the bottom of the crate, and the crate fairy comes to visit pretty often. I also have a blanket over the top of the crate to make it a bit more cave-like, and since I've done that they will often get in during the day for a nap.

[mosesface]

all the pps have given great advice. i just wanted to chime in with some more encouragement about the value of crate training.

my dog (75lb standard poodle) is the most laid back, well mannered, "polite" dog i have ever known. he would be absolutely fine left in the house on his own 98% of the time (in fact, he would more than likely spend all of that time in his crate by his own choice, even with the door wide open). but there's always a chance that something out of the ordinary may happen, and i want him to be safe and secure (and i want my house in one piece and my carpet anxiety poop free!).

it's the 2% of the time that you just don't know what's going to happen, regardless of your dog's disposition. being in a crate while you're away keeps your dog calm and comfortable and protects him from getting into anything dangerous in the house, protects your household from any damage that may accidently occur were he to get anxious (thunderstorms, weird outside noises, sickness, anything that may trigger anxiety suddenly).

IME, the benefit of the crate is greater for my dog than to me. he LOVES his crate.

[Ola_]

I just wanted to add that just because you crate train, doesn't mean that you have to crate your dog all the time. Our dogs have both graduated from their crates and have the run of the house while we are away, at night they mostly sleep in our bedroom. We do use the crates to feed them every day though (they eat raw so it contains the mess) so it keeps up the association of it being a good place.

But when we travel or if they ever need to be crated for safety it's good to know that we have the option and they won't be freaked out by it.

[daisymama12]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

I won't be using the crate for when we're gone, as we've already been letting him loose, and there hasn't been an issue with destruction, or doing his business inside. I think he just sleeps Granted, we don't leave him long, I think the longest stretch was 2 hours.

What I want the crate for is when kids come over, and they are running around a lot. My boys are 8 and 6, and sometimes are pretty active in the house, specifically with some friends (spies, nerf stuff happening , etc). I would like to have the dog feel safe during that - and be out of the way. Also, in case someone comes over who is not comfortable with dogs. I felt my option was training him to stay in one room, or a crate. Clearly the consensus is crate!

Thanks for the great advice, I'm getting one from a mom from the boys' school.

[rhiOrion]

Originally Posted by daisymama12

Thanks for the replies everyone.

I won't be using the crate for when we're gone, as we've already been letting him loose, and there hasn't been an issue with destruction, or doing his business inside. I think he just sleeps Granted, we don't leave him long, I think the longest stretch was 2 hours.

What I want the crate for is when kids come over, and they are running around a lot. My boys are 8 and 6, and sometimes are pretty active in the house, specifically with some friends (spies, nerf stuff happening , etc). I would like to have the dog feel safe during that - and be out of the way. Also, in case someone comes over who is not comfortable with dogs. I felt my option was training him to stay in one room, or a crate. Clearly the consensus is crate!

Thanks for the great advice, I'm getting one from a mom from the boys' school.

My advice in that situation, is to make sure the crate is in a room where doggy won't have to constantly watch the kids playing and having fun. I don't know about your dog, but for my dog that would be TORTURE. She always wants to be part of the action