What size Cage/Crate

[Lavendersquare]

We will be collecting our beautiful pup in about 4 weeks time so I'm making preparations for what we need to get.

I've been advised to get a dog crate to place her bed in and use as her place in the house to minimise damage if she's alone for a short time or at night. These crates weren't around when I had my last pup which was over 20 years ago so what size one should I get? Obviously she's a small puppy but will grow, mum is a springer spaniel and dad is a beagle if that helps.
Tia

[TeddyIsaHe]

Big enough for the adult dog to stand comfortably and turn around.

You can use cardboard to make a smaller section as if it’s too large the puppy will use a corner to toilet and you don’t want to encourage that.

Also look at positive crate training, you can’t just stick a puppy in and shut the door, it will take a good few weeks to get the pup to be comfortable. I started my dog off with always having the door open and treating when inside, working up to closing the door for 10 seconds and gradually building from there. It took about 4 weeks in total.

[SlothMama]

I'd go for one that would fit an adult springer as with that cross I'm not sure how big your puppy could get. You can buy dividers to make the space smaller to make it feel more cosy for them. But I just covered mine with a blanket and my puppy happily sleeps in there. So maybe a large crate? But it depends on the crate manufacturer so just look at their size guide.

I would recommend a metal crate rather than a soft crate however, as in my experience puppies will trash soft crates and they aren't safe to be left unattended in them

[JamRolyPolyAnyone]

I have a spaniel. She has a medium sized crate with a medium size bed in. It’s her go to place when she’s not happy - eg when the grandchildren are making too much noise or when I get the grooming brushes out. She has never been locked in the crate. We took the door off on day one.

[Lavendersquare]

Thanks for the advice, I'll go for something that would fit an adult springer, and look at partitioning it for our pup.

[SerendipitySunshine]

I would never lock them inside unattended or overnight. In a house fire they can't escape.

[AvocadosBeforeMortgages]

What did you do 20 years ago when you last had a pup?

I can't understand the current fashion for tiny dog cages.

[Floralnomad]

I agree with the pp , if you didn’t feel the need to use a cage 20 yrs ago why do you feel the need to use one now ? They are not a must have item for a dog owner .