Hi there,

We've recently lost our last dog having had to have her PTS after 16 years of faithful co-existance. Not the slightest bit ashamed to admit I got a bit emotional down the vets. Ridiculous, as it's 'just a dog' :cry:

Here's a shot in happier times that I've just found and scanned - http://s289.photobucket.com/albums/ll202/ASPGuru_photo/?action=view&current=lucy_penny_web.jpg - the Golden departed a couple of years ago and the Lab just a few weeks ago. Not at all relevent to this topic but felt like sharing.

The original plan was to have a few years sans-dog and enjoy the freedom this would give, but already missus and kids are banging on about how nice it would be to... you know the idea.

Been looking around and absolutely blown away by all the kit and stuff that's out there now, and especially intriqued by the use of dog crates/cages.

I know that some people have always used them, but in the past this tended to be mainly those that did the show circuit, but I now get the impression that they are the latest must-have if you get a dog. When we had ours they were happy with an old cut-down cardboard box until they moved up to their proper beds.

Are they that good? I understand the concept, and it makes sense to me as a mere human, but do dogs really take to them? Are they just for the puppy stage, or do adult dogs like to use them too?

I can see the advantage from the human side - somewhere to shut the dog away to stop chewing/messing/killing visitors, safety while travelling, somewhere to get away from the kids and all that - but does it help the dog to settle in quicker?

Apologies if this has been covered. I did search but didn't get the answer to my question(s) other than get the impression confirmed that they do seem to be popular.

Really sorry to hear about your dogs, it really hurts when they go I know I just lost one a few weeks ago, they look gorgeous and so happy in the pics :)
Crates are a great idea for dogs, it gives them a feeling of security having somewhere just of their own to go and chill out in, it also helps when they have to be left no more worries about what the dogs are doing while you are not there.
If you do decide that you would like another dog I know of two lovely little girlies that need some really sensible and good people to love them...just like you did with your old dogs :)

I have a basset hound who loves his cage, just make sure there's plenty of room inside and it's comfy for them. Never put your dog in the cage as punishment (as they will hate the cage).

yes we always had one for our puppy / dog
they are a good idea for overnight whilst they are young, and when you have to go out and dont want them chewing things
think of it as there little home
fill it with all there toys and a lovely blanket to sleep on
we might have one for sale if you are interested - what size of dog would you be looking at?

Thanks folks for the feedback.
There's no firm decision made yet about getting another dog - although I suspect the inevitable will happen, in which case it will be another Labrador (we know the breed, and it's perfect for our lifestyle). Possibly back end of the summer once holidays are out of the way.
If (OK when!) we do then I might give a crate a go, and I reckon it would need to be large enough for an adult dog.
Like having kids, you tend to forget the down side of having a puppy. The golden was ok, but the lab went through two 3pc suites before the chewing stopped at around the 2 year point I think it was, so the crate would certainly help with that, albeit this house is more puppy friendly than the one we had before when the dogs were small.

Crates are fantastic - if used correctly ;)

We'd never encountered this practice until we bought a beagle pup - and the breeder insisted that a crate was essential beagle equipment - and she was right!

Beagles are destructive little twerps! Besides that, we take our dog everywhere with us, and being able to take his bedroom with us makes it so much easier to settle him into a new space. We can take him to parties where other dogs would not be welcome - as he can be safely stowed out of the way of stumbling drunk people, and a number of hotels have waived their dog charge upon seeing the crate being lugged into the room

Now Brude is crate trained, we can use a softcrate for travelling (much lighter when carrying it on the train, keeps the draughts off him in victorian hotels, keeps dog hair out of the upholstery in the car) http://www.croftonline.co.uk/products.asp?category=Soft+fabric+dog+crates&subcategory=Croft+Fabrikennel+soft+crate

ASPGuru - sorry to hear of your loss- you have every right to get emotional- pets are a big part of our lives and leave a huge hole when they go.

Crate training can be a real life saver especially with chewers and as Ive explained on other threads on the subject, provided they are used positively and the dog is not confined for hours on end in one. Even though Ailsa hasnt destroyed anything (except when she was being fed on IAMS) a crate helped us a lot. She also had a soft crate for a while and they are great for travelling.

The last sturdy metal crate we bought was from ebay back in November 07 -not for Ailsa(she wont use one now) but to keep our cat and her newborn kittens seperate from the dog and other cats for the first few weeks. It cost about £50 including postage- maybe slightly more - but was a fantastic buy and HUGE.

The first LARGE crate we ever bought cost the earth and we also had a folding car crate that was about £90, so ebay is a good alternative. RainRescue sometimes has them for sale too.

RainRescue has a few left - but no longer stocks them

be careful when making a choice of which brand of crate - we fostered a dog who came with a cheap argos one - which had bits sticking out that had damaged his nose!

We always buy Croft ones - they're particularly sturdy. Lotti has another brand that seems good too

Great stuff - many thanks again.
I've bookmarked that Crofts site - very useful.
It's all interesting stuff. One thing I hadn't realised is that a crate can be too large, especially for a puppy.
The natural expectation is the larger the better, but seems that can be unsettling and takes away the den feeling, plus allowing room for an ensuite loo!
I've had an eye on a crate that has movable dividers - forget the brand, but presume they all can do this somehow (at least the quality ones) - so the dog can be comfy, but safe, while allowing room to grow.
It's humbling to know that despite being a dog owner for many years there's always something new to learn.

I used a crate with both my gsds. First used it with Shad when I came home from work and found the suite in pieces in the living room --- he was about 7 months when he went in it whilst I was out. He never slept in it at night but would go in it during the day for a kip and to sneak stolen objects in.
Josh has used it since a pup, he doesnt use it now, its put away as he does no damage (touch wood) but its always useful. I used it when my bitch came back from vets after being spayed, she had somewhere safe away from the other idiots. Years ago my cat was run over and had major surgery, we had to keep him in confined quarters, they did not sell them (or I did not know of them) at the time and we had to make a little home under the stairs for him till he recovered. He would have like a crate better I think because he would have been with us.

So sorry about your loss, I lost Shad in Feb this year and still get full up.

I had never used a crate until we had Badger, i found it encouraged him to toilet train quicker, and he felt safe when we had people coming roound that he didn't know, Badger is quite nervous and i worry he might bite someone he doesn't know so the simple answer is to make him safe, he loves it he has the door open except when visiters arrive, we have a larger crate than he neds which now also accomadates his girl friend Mojo too, we did try 2 when she first came to live with us but she didn't like being alone. I have to say this small peice of equipment is in valueable to me , i wouldn't not have one , however i have a very small kitchen but its worth the lost of space to have it.

Now Brude is crate trained, we can use a softcrate for travelling (much lighter when carrying it on the train, keeps the draughts off him in victorian hotels, keeps dog hair out of the upholstery in the car) http://www.croftonline.co.uk/products.asp?category=Soft+fabric+dog+crates&subcategory=Croft+Fabrikennel+soft+crate[/QUOTE]

The soft crates look great, brilliant for traveling. I'll definitely be getting Evie one of those for when we go away with her. Evie goes in her crate at night and if we go out. She hasn't ever once objected to going in it. In fact because her bed is in there all the time she very often sits in there when we are in the house (with the door open). I had the same thing, people saying you can't put her in a 'cage' etc etc, but I did a lot of research before we decided to get her, and researched crate training too, so I think I know more about it then people coming out with random, unbacked up comments.

What I've been finding while researching this is that the word you use often influences the reaction from those that have no experience of this topic.

"I'm thinking about getting a cage for my dog" - "oh, how cruel".
"I'm thinking about getting a crate for my dog" - "what's that then? oh what a good idea"

I'm certainly sold on the idea, and will use one when/if we get another dog unless it's obvious that it's causing the animal distress, which if properly used seems very unlikely.

Regarding the room one takes up, especially a large crate/cage, a friend of mine has turned that round on it's head by fitting a board to the top so he can use it as a table of sorts. Obviously need to consider the strength of the thing when placing items on it, but he now considers that he has gained some space, rather than losing it.

that's why you'll also find them called 'indoor kennels' too ;)

I think Croft sell tops for theirs, and covers too if needed, and wheels....

What I've been finding while researching this is that the word you use often influences the reaction from those that have no experience of this topic.

"I'm thinking about getting a cage for my dog" - "oh, how cruel".
"I'm thinking about getting a crate for my dog" - "what's that then? oh what a good idea"

I'm certainly sold on the idea, and will use one when/if we get another dog unless it's obvious that it's causing the animal distress, which if properly used seems very unlikely.

Regarding the room one takes up, especially a large crate/cage, a friend of mine has turned that round on it's head by fitting a board to the top so he can use it as a table of sorts. Obviously need to consider the strength of the thing when placing items on it, but he now considers that he has gained some space, rather than losing it.

You're right about the word you use. It's silly you have to do this but I always refer to it as a crate and not a cage!

oh, and if I'm talking to the dog infront of other people, it's 'bed', and especially if they look at it askance

Great stuff - many thanks again.
I've bookmarked that Crofts site - very useful.
It's all interesting stuff. One thing I hadn't realised is that a crate can be too large, especially for a puppy.
The natural expectation is the larger the better, but seems that can be unsettling and takes away the den feeling, plus allowing room for an ensuite loo!
I've had an eye on a crate that has movable dividers - forget the brand, but presume they all can do this somehow (at least the quality ones) - so the dog can be comfy, but safe, while allowing room to grow.
It's humbling to know that despite being a dog owner for many years there's always something new to learn.


You can make a large crate smaller by putting a physical barrier in it, such as a sturdy cardboard box. That way, you can buy the adult sized crate suitable for your breed rather than forking out for a small crate followed by a larger crate.

We went through all this new learning curve when we got Ailsa after being without a dog for 25+ years - and the last one I owned ( I was a teenager still at home) was in the days when it was still considered the norm to let your dog out to take itself for a walk! We've spent a fortune on STUFF for our dobermutt- probably went overboard but she gives us a lot of joy (and grey hairs at times) It's great fun and as you will know, owning a dog keeps you happy and healthy

What I've been finding while researching this is that the word you use often influences the reaction from those that have no experience of this topic.

"I'm thinking about getting a cage for my dog" - "oh, how cruel".
"I'm thinking about getting a crate for my dog" - "what's that then? oh what a good idea"

I'm certainly sold on the idea, and will use one when/if we get another dog unless it's obvious that it's causing the animal distress, which if properly used seems very unlikely.

Regarding the room one takes up, especially a large crate/cage, a friend of mine has turned that round on it's head by fitting a board to the top so he can use it as a table of sorts. Obviously need to consider the strength of the thing when placing items on it, but he now considers that he has gained some space, rather than losing it.

We live in a tiny terrace and we designed our dining table so that the huge crate would fit under it- we also put it on wheels so we were able to move it around for cleaning (wheels had brakes on them). Made it much easier living with a huge metal box

Say you have a young dog (not puppy) and you have given him one hours worth of excercise (walking / running / palying etc) what is the longest you should leave him in a crate for?

(I appreciate this is a "how long is a piece of string" type of question but any good guestimates would be appreciated.

age, breed, time of day will all contribute to your length of string honestjoe ;)

your dog will let you know - it's just a learning curve :)

... and if you've just got back from a long walk, he'll need water, then about 20 mins later he'll probably need to go out.....