Dog Crate Size

aFlabbyPanda

Hi All,

I got a dog crate over the weekend at a very good price however I'm not sure if I got the size wrong. I based the length of the size of the existing bed my dog was using but after doing a bit of reading I'm worried now its too big.

I took a pic of my dog in the crate and he seems to be happy going in but I can return it if a smaller one would be better.

(106L x 70W x 76.5Hcm) is the size of the current one.

https://goo.gl/7ZUCri

Thanks

VonVix

If its main purpose is housetraining, it *might* be too big. It depends on the dog, some dogs will pee in one side and sleep at the opposite end.

If it's not for housetraining, it's perfectly fine.

Dogs are often much happier if you cover the top of the crate, however. Makes it more cosy/secure, rather than being exposed.

Agree with the above , if it's not for house-training it's a grand size. I prefer the crates to be a little bigger than recommended as I like my guys to be able to move around a lot.

For house training my dad divided the crate down the middle for his pup with a lump of wood which he rigged up so it couldnt fall loose onto the pup or anything (dunno how) and just removed it when she was trained .

aFlabbyPanda

Yeah its not for house training, just he has a habit of leaving the bed at night and sleeping on the sofa which we are trying to discourage. Please if he's ever staying with my parents I'd like him to have a familiar place to sleep. I too like the idea of him being able to stand up and move about.

Using the guides I found online for sizing shows this crate around 2 sizes too big but unless its going to cause an issue I'm happy with it.

TopSideControl

TopSideControl wrote: »

Yeah its not for house training, just he has a habit of leaving the bed at night and sleeping on the sofa which we are trying to discourage. Please if he's ever staying with my parents I'd like him to have a familiar place to sleep. I too like the idea of him being able to stand up and move about.

Using the guides I found online for sizing shows this crate around 2 sizes too big but unless its going to cause an issue I'm happy with it.

Can't see how it will cause an issue and you have a good point about him having a familiar place if he's staying elsewhere. I send my terriers crate with him to my parents if I'm away and I'm sure it helps him sleep better.

VonVix is right though, I'd put a blanket or something over it to turn it into a lovely cosy cave.

If it's his first time being crated I would also leave it open all day and feed him in there or give him treats in there (with the door open) so he gets used to it as a good place and in no time at all the will just want to be there and associate it with good feelings.

If you just lock him into it tonight out of the blue he might panic and associate it with bad feelings so id work up to it over the next few days.

aFlabbyPanda

Thanks everyone, he's been in and out of it most of the day and my plan was to just leave it open for the next few days so he's comfortable in it before locking overnight.

VonVix

TopSideControl wrote: »

Thanks everyone, he's been in and out of it most of the day and my plan was to just leave it open for the next few days so he's comfortable in it before locking overnight.

Good stuff. Be sure to feed + give treats inside it so there is reason to feel good about being in the crate. Also you can progress things by closing the door over a small bit when he has a treat, then progress to closing the door completely (but not locking it) so he can push it open himself to leave if he so wishes to. It will help show you how ready he is for the door to be shut.

aFlabbyPanda

Just a quick update, we decided to go one size down with the crate. The XXL one didn't fit the boot of the car. The XL fits the car and the dog better I think, any smaller and he wouldn't be able to turn around without making contact with both sides or stand/sit upright without hitting the roof.

I spend the week getting him used to it, putting his treats in there, putting him in at night and closing but not locking the door, etc. Last night was the first time locking the door and we had no issues.

I leave him out early when I go to work and when my wife got up she found him in it again with the door open and not on the sofa like he usually is. He does not like it covered though, he seems to prefer being able to see up and look at who's there.

Thanks again for all the advice.