Advice about dog cages/crates

[allmytimeonmumsnet]

Hi
Our qo mth old Springer Spanial (Badger) is driving us mad. He constantly jumps onto the kitchen table when we are out, in fact we think he is sleeping on there at night now! Have tried putting all the chairs on there but is still wriggles between them, you have to admire his skill. As we live next to a river the table is constantly covered in bits of mud which is not very nice, also we have to move everysingle item before we go out.

We are now thinking about a cage or crate for night-times and maybe when we are out. Would also be useful for in the car as he jumps around everywhere and for when we go camping (going to be interesting!) so he doesn't have to sleep in the bed section.

However there are so many cages out there I don't know where to start. They all claim to be the best! The lady at our kennels who has working springers recommended the more solid plastic sort, like the airline ones I think but I can't help feeling they look a bit too enclosed.

Any suggestions or tips either on cages, crates or keeping him off the table?
Thanks

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Our cage has been a total godsend!

We bought it to keep our dog in after he completly destroyed our house.
He hated going in it.
But we got a new dog earier this year and because of toilet training, we kept her in the cage on a night so it stays up in the day and both of them love sleeping in it during the day now, cuddled up together

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Mellowma, I have a 6' fence and one of my dogs still bloody jumps it Have had tto resort to a chain in the garden when she wants to run about

Crates are fab, my 2 dogs love them and the doors are left open all day, they are shut in at night and when we go out.

One of my dogs is a Springer X Staffie and used to jump up and sleep on the table too Then she ate it

Meant to add, we got ours from Ebay bu got a metal tray becuase the plastic one got eaten!!!

Deffo buy off ebay.
Great deals to be had.

We paid silly Pets at Home prices.

I've got a crate for my puppy and its great, I spoke to a couple of breeders about them before and they gave me a list of things to look for, metal is better as its stronger, metal trays are also better if you're dog is prone to chewing as it'll chew a plastic one, look for doors with 2 catches on as they can get paws squashed in one with only one catch if they try and get out. And you can get side or end opening doors,or both, work out which you need, drape a blanket over the top and sides, just leaving the front open so it feels more like a cosy den. I got mine from a breeder, so can't say where to get one, but the next best price was a local pet shop as delivery can be pricey.

Thanks, don't know what happened to my typing it should have said 10 months. Have been looking on ebay but wasn't sure about quality but feel reassured now.

Ps I think this is the sort of thing DH was thinking of but I prefer the metal cage sort as it seems more open (also loads cheaper).

No they are more for travelling, the big metal ones are great for everyday use. I got mine from Ebay. Its huge and cost £26 inc delivery!!!

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Thanks thats what I thought but need some back up against DH. Think we will go for a metal cage off ebay

My Springer has this one (size 2) for the car.
it keeps him shaded when we use it as a temp kennel outside (eg if we visit PIL)

Melloma, I have a pipe near the back door and attach it to that. Dh got it from Homebase. So far it doesn't get very twisted and she hasn't dragged it throgh anything
I know the feeling of dog hunts with chldren in tow

melloma - if you are looking for aq good way of tying up your dog then we use one of those stakes which screw down into the ground. I think we got one from one of the big pet stores, can't be that hard to find. They have a long chain but it can rotate on the screw so is more flexible. Have also come across pens in fact one person said they used a child fire guard screwed to the wall!

I too bought my crate off ebay! Just amke sure you get the right size for your dog. Yes it is true that it is not supposed to be for punishment.

You just get them used to going in it for short periods at first. My seller on ebay had instructions for crate training!

I found feeding him in it worked well, now as soon as he hears me going to get the dish, he is in the crate!

Forgot to say it is a mesh one with a metal base.

I had a crate - then we had a fold down one from Argos (fabric) but my dog broke the zip.

She would go in it when she wanted a bit of peace and quiet from my dd1

never used a crate for either of mine - what about a large outdoor kennel for when you are out? (mine have a shed size kennel plus wall mounted heater)

or do you have a utility room?

Should have added that my dog lives outside.
He got a garden hut type kennel with a run and bedded on straw which keeps him cosy

Has your springer had the snip yet? If you are not going to use him to show or breed it might be worth considering as should calm his wonder lust.

I would def recommend a crate, my collie takes himself off to his bed when he's worn out. It is covered in a blanket, (looks less horrid in the house), full of comfy bedding and is v snug.
Not sure when we will start leaving the door open though...he has just turned 1. Would like to be rid of it at some point...
Good luck!
x