To Ask A 'Dog After Surgery' Related Question

[pandyandy1]

Hi

I am posting here, rather than the pet section, because I believe I will receive more answers (and a better concensus, if you like.)

My (large) puppy recently had surgery and is unfortunately STILL on 'crate rest'.

Are there any (sturdy) crates/cages out there that have any lift down type flaps/sections (in the bars) for you to stroke/reassure your dog, without opening the main, or side door?

My pup is in a large crate and we want to love/stroke him, in-between prescribed walks, but if we open his main crate door, he gets over excited and tries to get out!

It seems to me, if there were a simple 'flap' on each side, we would be able to pet and reassure him whenever needed, but I can't find said crates.

Anyone in the know?

My crate has a door at the end and one on the top so you can pet but they can't get out (well not easily).

It's made by Safic or something like that? I can check if you'd like.

I had this for my dog until she outgrew it. There are 3 openings. All zippers so you can restrict how far they open. One on top, one on the end and one on the front.

Clymene - that would be great, thank you.

RachelHasThoseInBurgundy - really kind, thank you, but as my pup is around 30kg now, only a wired crate would hold him.

I feel the crate market are missing a massive trick here... A wired crate with multiple unclip windows, to allow owners to pet their (large breed/very strong dogs) without the dog trying to get out.

🤔 Something to think about.

Thank you for replies

I'd make him a safe space in the house so that when you are there to look after him for a while, he can leave the crate, be comfy and get some love and cuddles from you.

RachelHasThoseInBurgundy - really kind, thank you, but as my pup is around 30kg now, only a wired crate would hold him.

Ahh shame!! Big pup!!

@pandyandy1 - just checked. It's made by Savic and I think I bought it from Zooplus. My dog is much (much!) smaller than yours though so not sure if the ones for giant pups are the same style.

Clymene - thank you very much, I shall have a Google.

100percent21 and VeganCheesePlease - please be reassured that I absolutely do make that safe space (in the lounge) and pup and I have cuddles, when the children are at school.
The idea of finding a crate with a petting flap was so that my three children could pet him. He just can't be out with the children at the minute, as he will just get overexcited, but when they also open the door to gently pet him - he just tries to get out.

The irony of all of this is that part of the reason we got a pup was so he could act as a mental health support for my daughter, who has autism, but he has been on crate rest for five weeks now, after surgery for elbow dysplasia.

Hey ho, he (and we) will get there.

Thanks again for replies.

Would a dog pen work? We have one like this www.ebay.co.uk/itm/311031109727 which is sturdy (there are many that would be too flimsy for a big dog though)- you could make it as big or small as you like depending on how many sections you use and can get different heights. May allow dog to be stroked over the top, or children could go into the pen and sit with the dog?

The idea behind a crate is that it is their space, not to be invaded by humans. It’s supposed to be a place they can escape humans for a while. So windows allowing humans to invade that space isn’t a good idea and why they aren’t there.

That being said I completely understand why you are looking for ways the children can interact with your pup. Speak to your vet and come up with a plan, a dog pen is a great idea and the children can sit inside the pen with your pup! This will need to be managed with your vet though to make sure your pup isn’t becoming over stimulated as children naturally want to play with puppies and vice versa!

There are clearly very strong reasons to keep your pup on such closed rest. My dog had to have items removed from his stomach (he ate a dog food can and had swallowed some of it 😖😳) and he wasn’t put on crate rest (he has one he accesses regularly by his choice and we never lock the door, although we did when he was younger) just told to limit walks to mere minutes no playing and no jumping or climbing stairs.