What size dog crate/cage should I get?

auntypurple · 2008-10-22T16:11:32+00:00

I will be bringing home my GSD puppy in about 6 weeks time. I have never used a crate before but have heard good things about them. Not sure what size I need, I read if they are too big the puppy will go to the toilet in it, but am wanting to let the dog use it as a safe place where he can be alone if he wants when he is older. So do I just go for the biggest size? Also would you put him in it by night from day 1? He would need the toilet several times a night for a good few weeks I should think, so how do I work that out? If anyone could also give me tips on how to get him used to the crate that would be good. TIA

catweazle · 22/10/2008 17:37

Crates generally say what size adult dog they are for- or the pet shop/ vet will tell you.

We used ours from day one. Put something soft in one side of it and food and water bowls the other. We had ours in the hallway so when the dog cried in the night we could hear her and got up to let her out.

bella29 · 22/10/2008 17:57

As catweazle says, the crates are usually sold by size of dog but I would recommend getting one size larger than that, especially if your puppy is a dog (as they tend to grow bigger than bitches).

I put my lab puppy in his crate from day 1 and let him out when he needed to during the night. After about 3 days he was sleeping through and it really is a godsend as a safe place to put him for short periods during the day. I got the recommended size and it seemed huge at first but looks quite snug now (he's almost 6 months old).

I also shopped around on the internet & managed to get mine half price.

As for getting him used to it the best idea is to ask the breeder to put a bit of old towel or something in the nest with the bitch and pups so you can take that home with him and we will have a familiar smelly object to make him feel at home.

Best of luck with your pup

bella29 · 22/10/2008 17:57

As catweazle says, the crates are usually sold by size of dog but I would recommend getting one size larger than that, especially if your puppy is a dog (as they tend to grow bigger than bitches).

I put my lab puppy in his crate from day 1 and let him out when he needed to during the night. After about 3 days he was sleeping through and it really is a godsend as a safe place to put him for short periods during the day. I got the recommended size and it seemed huge at first but looks quite snug now (he's almost 6 months old).

I also shopped around on the internet & managed to get mine half price.

As for getting him used to it the best idea is to ask the breeder to put a bit of old towel or something in the nest with the bitch and pups so you can take that home with him and he will have a familiar smelly object to make him feel at home.

Best of luck with your pup

bella29 · 22/10/2008 17:57

As catweazle says, the crates are usually sold by size of dog but I would recommend getting one size larger than that, especially if your puppy is a dog (as they tend to grow bigger than bitches).

I put my lab puppy in his crate from day 1 and let him out when he needed to during the night. After about 3 days he was sleeping through and it really is a godsend as a safe place to put him for short periods during the day. I got the recommended size and it seemed huge at first but looks quite snug now (he's almost 6 months old).

I also shopped around on the internet & managed to get mine half price.

As for getting him used to it the best idea is to ask the breeder to put a bit of old towel or something in the nest with the bitch and pups so you can take that home with him and he will have a familiar smelly object to make him feel at home.

Best of luck with your pup

bella29 · 22/10/2008 17:58

No idea how that happened!!!!!!

morethanyoubargainfor · 22/10/2008 18:03

Hi, if you decide tyo go down the crate route, I have one here you are more than welcome to, it is big enough to see your puppy right through to adult. If you are inrested please CAT me. I would def reccomend for puppies, they are great.

jofeb04 · 22/10/2008 18:14

Intersted in this thread.

Collecting my puppy Jack Russell tomorrow morning, and many people have said that a crate can be helpful for the pup (especially at night time, or school run etc).

Seen this
in Pets at home, and wondering what you think of it.

morethanyoubargainfor · 22/10/2008 19:12

personaaly i think that particular thing would be a waste of money. Your dog will soon learn how to jump over it or knock it down, which could cause injury to pup. I would go for a crate, as i think they are more sterdy and a safe place to lock your pup away when you pop out etc. My pup is 13 months now and we are just training him to not be in his crate overnight, mainly because he going to travel with us all over europe from the end of year and his crate is too big to transport. Other wise he would still have it. The thing with a crate is it provides a sense of security for pup, and if you have children you can teach them that when the pup goes into crate they are not to go anywhere near him, it is amazing how quickly he pup works out if he wants some peace he goes to his crate, (obviously leave the door open during the day).
Crates can be useful in a num,ber of different ways, especially if pup is used to it from day one, if your children have friends around who are frightened of dog, then he can go and lay happily in his crate. They also make toilet training alot easier for pup and owner. The list could go on,

I say go for a crate, but make sure you get a decent one and never Never use it as punishment, always make it a positive place for pup to be.

HTH

Original poster

auntypurple · 22/10/2008 19:41

Thanks for all the replies, I am seeing the pup in about 2 weeks so I will ask the breeder if I can take a towel to put in with them untill I bring him home. I am sure they wont mind that, they are lovely people.
Morethanyoubargainfor I have sent you a cat, thank you.
Bella thank you I am sure I will have many more a question to post on here once I have him home it's been ages since I have had a puppy.
catweazle did you put any paper or pads on one side so the pup could go to the toilet if it needed too, or just keep getting up through the night to let it go outside?

OP posts:

jofeb04 · 22/10/2008 19:44

Thanks for that more, something to consider.

LittleB · 22/10/2008 21:51

I use a crate for my dog, although he's rarely shut in it as he's 18mths now. I was told you can use board or wire to divide a large crate when they are puppies so that their bed takes up the whole crate. We didn't do this, and at first my pup did mess in his crate at night - he'd only cry once he'd done it, so I had several nights of clearing out the crate in the middle of the night which wasn't fun. But he never messed in the house, just the crate, but he did do the odd wee! It gets better though but is hard work at first. The first night I had him in a box next to my bed, but only for a night - he was as restless as a newborn! Also only buy a crate with a metal base as they can chew plastic or rubber bases. And make sure its got 2 catches on the door, as if they've only got 1 they can push the doors a bit and get their paws stuck.
definitely worth buying, my dog loves his and it was great that I knew he was safe when left.

Piglet111 · 23/10/2008 22:16

I use a 48" dog crate for my indoor pet rabbit I'd say get the biggest you can find

Piglet111 · 23/10/2008 22:21

just thought I'd add this aren't the pink/blue ones soooo cute?

GrimmaTheNome · 23/10/2008 22:23

The other good thing about a crate is that, unlike a basket, you can put stuff on top so even a big one doesn't hog space. (obviously don't put little things on it which will drop or be pulled into the crate).

bella29 · 23/10/2008 22:25

Oooh - funky coloured crates!!! What if they clash with your pup though

Tiggiwinkle · 23/10/2008 22:44

Oooh how exciting auntypurple-a GSD puppy! We have a gorgeous GSD-she is 6 now. They are such lovely dogs. (We also have a Jack Russell jofeb04-also lovely but much harder work!)
Crates are a really good idea and the dogs love them-they feel safe and soon learn to retreat there when they want some peace.