Optimal crate dimensions

[Tsunibear]

Sebastian looks like Missy in the crate she will stand for awhile then sit and then finally lay down.

I bought my crate from Petsmart I bought the Petsmart brand crate so it was cheaper. The crate was $109 for the biggest crate they had.

[Rahlcepx516]

Stopped by Petsmart and they had a Midwest i Crate for sale for $80. 48" x 30" x 33". Came with the pan and divider. Though she already has lost a few toys and treats underneath it because it does not sit flush with the pan.

I also put a box fan behind the crate for her. I left the door open today and she walked in and slept for 2 hours.

Yay.

[vin63]

That's good to hear about her comfort level with the crate. The divider worked better for us with a pad/foam bed.

[Rahlcepx516]

I am kind of scared to put any sort of absorbent material in there yet. All the dogs I have crate trained usually just use it as a pee pad and then it goes down hill from there. Some of them even still did that in their adult age. But, luckily she has had 0 accidents in her crate so far.

But on another side note, she will not nap on anything besides tile or hardwood, or with a cold temp, making me think that a pad would deter her from the crate.

[Topper]

I have found that until they get out of the chewing and eat everything stage. the bed last about one day

[vin63]

Originally Posted by Rahlcepx516

I am kind of scared to put any sort of absorbent material in there yet. All the dogs I have crate trained usually just use it as a pee pad and then it goes down hill from there. Some of them even still did that in their adult age. But, luckily she has had 0 accidents in her crate so far.

But on another side note, she will not nap on anything besides tile or hardwood, or with a cold temp, making me think that a pad would deter her from the crate.

How large of an area are you leaving for the dog when you crate train? I ask because the crate training should also address housebreaking and bladder/BM control since most dogs do not like to relieve themselves in a confined area where they are laying down. But, if the area inside the crate is too large, they will relieve themselves.

I just mentioned the pad in case the toys are important to your pup and it tries to crawl under the divider to get to the toys (which can be bad if it gets its head or paw caught). Otherwise you and zip-tie something to block the bottom to prevent items from going under the divider.

[Rahlcepx516]

Originally Posted by vin63

How large of an area are you leaving for the dog when you crate train? I ask because the crate training should also address housebreaking and bladder/BM control since most dogs do not like to relieve themselves in a confined area where they are laying down. But, if the area inside the crate is too large, they will relieve themselves.

I just mentioned the pad in case the toys are important to your pup and it tries to crawl under the divider to get to the toys (which can be bad if it gets its head or paw caught). Otherwise you and zip-tie something to block the bottom to prevent items from going under the divider.

I leave just enough for her to lay down comfortably long ways, if she is laying the width of the crate, since the crate is longer than wide.

Yeah, I stuck some wooden blocks behind the divider so nothing could get through. So far so good, just need her to stop crying 8)

She takes naps in it with the door open, takes her toys up to it, eats in it, etc. Once that door closes and we are out of sight she goes apeshit though.

[Tsunibear]

Ignore her when she does that and in time she will stop. I know Missy did within 3 days she stopped that.