So, I'm back to getting a dog...

Whispered

Ah sorry you're thinking about a travel crate. I mean a wire one that's fold-able, it's the same sort of idea as your indoor kennel. We found ours very handy last year when we went on holiday with our two dogs, they settled immediately because we had their "bedrooms" with us. We also bring them camping sometimes.

Here's a pic of Harley in his as a baby


He is way too big for that one now. So now it belongs to Phoe and we've a bigger one for him.

There are some lovely wooden ones online.

This looks like a piece of furniture, gorgeous.



If you think he'll find it hard to relax if he can't see you well then maybe something like this would work?



I'd also suggest a removable bottom tray for easy cleaning.



He might decide to chew his way out of it, so you'll have to be extra careful with training him to use it. Loads of patience and taking it very slow.

DeVore

Perfect, thanks so much for finding them, that's exactly what I'm planning on building. You've given me some great ideas!

LucyBliss

I'm sorry to go off on a tangent here, but OMG look at baby Harley!! The cuteness is too much!

Whispered

LucyBliss wrote: »

I'm sorry to go off on a tangent here, but OMG look at baby Harley!! The cuteness is too much!

Aw thanks. Wasn't he adorable! Now he's a big mallet-head.

DeVore

I've had Josh 8 weeks now and I am looking at going away for 4 days in 4 weeks time and then 8 days in another 3 weeks after that.

He'll be homed with a professional "home carer" who has dogs of her own and comes recommended so I've no worries about the care Josh will get but... I'm fretting a bit about abandonment issues and anxiety. He really gets a bit frantic when I go to leave and is still throwing himself at anything that gets between us.

Is it acceptible to leave him for 8 days, 4 months after rescue?

Stheno

DeVore wrote: »

Is it acceptible to leave him for 8 days, 4 months after rescue?

Yes, if you can try leaving him there for one overnight before the 4/8 days, so you've a bit of reassurance yourself.

kylith

Ask the career if you can do a trial run were you leave him with her for an afternoon. This will help Josh to feel safer when you leave him for a few days because he'll know from experience that you will come back.

barbiegirl

Welcome to the guilt side of having a dog. He'll be fine, you'll worry and you'll both be delighted to see one another again. We're all allowed go away occasionally. Remember also to leave one of your dirty shirts with him for comfort.

LucyBliss

DeVore, if it helps any, I have three dogs, one of whom is practically my shadow and if she could come with me everywhere, she'd be very happy. She has on occasion hidden under my bed when she saw me getting ready to leave the house and is not cooperative on Wednesdays when she sees me take out the bag I bring with me to my Girl Guide meeting. She recognises my uniform neckerchief and hides when she sees me put it on. She has also seen me pack the uniform for a leader training weekend and hop into the suitcase and nearly refuse to hop back out.

The first time I had to send the dogs to the dog minder they were a year old, we were going to the US for a family wedding and would be gone a week. I was in bits. I was afraid that she'd be miserable and upset and that the other two wouldn't be happy away from home either.

It took Jack ten minutes to settle in his new surroundings when he found the acre out the back was just great for running around in. It took Rosie two minutes when she found a new comfortable chair to sit on. It took Meg three hours - she stayed in the crate we sent out with her own dog bed - and then the woman who helped out at the dog minders sat down and Meg hopped onto her lap and was fine.

While I was delighted to hear that the dogs adapted so well to their new surroundings, I couldn't help but a be a bit miffed that I'd wasted all that energy worrying about them!

So sometimes they can pleasantly surprise us with how well they get on and I do hope that this is your experience too.

I would also think that the two of you having to be separated for a short while might be a good thing. It can be an important part of his development and might help him stop focusing entirely on you to the degree that he is.

DeVore

Thanks all... I should have mentioned that I am planning an "overnight" for him with the carer (and her two dogs) before the 4 days away so he gets used to it.

I got the Bikejoring yoke on my bike today. Well.... that was interesting! At first Josh was mad about it because he liked having something tied to his collar, I guess he figured he was going outside! Then he managed to pull the bike away from my hands trying to get it out the gate, it fell on him, he took off as best he could but the bike dragged him back , he freaked, I paniced, the bike got dragged along, Josh nearly got out of his collar (and from now on I will be using the harness for this!) and I had to stick him in the porch while I sorted the whole thing out. A treat and a rub later and a few things corrected and we were out and trying the system.... and it works! I tried walking with him first, so that I could see how things worked for him. The problem is that at that speed he wants to sniff and pee on everything. So I tried some tentative cycling and he happily trotted along. A little quicker to stop him from investigating trees and we were flying! So, now I can bring him to St Annes Park on nice days, which is usually out of our range, and get some socialisation going.

The crate is designed and getting built this weekend. I've decided to make a (lockable) dog flap leading from the crate to the garden so that if he's confined to the crate for some reason I can let him decide if he wants to be in it, or out in the garden. If I can nail that this fortnight, I will be one very happy dog owner. Its the last real part of the puzzle.

Taltos

Sounds like a very lucky dog with a home-made crate.

We also used crate training as part of their house training - worked a treat. Unfortunately they grew out of their crate and now the house is one big crate for them.

Great idea to trial the home boarding - don't forget to include a favourite blanket or toy.
We also normally printed (and laminated) food and medication instructions as well as our vets details and an emergency number just in case. Have gone away twice now and have to admit the guilt for me at least is not getting any easier.

It really helps though when you come back and they give you a huge welcome, both were a bit off their first day back home but we did our best not to make it any different and just went back into our normal routines - feed now - measured treats - time for walk. Only thing we messed up on was two days later changing one component of their diets but we live and learn.

Pets have a way of picking up on you feeling guilty but do your best not to act differently or spoil them in any way - just reinforces behaviour. Looking forwards to seeing the finished crate though

edit: Um just one thing - when teething mine ate anything wooden - and I mean anything, our dining chairs, wine rack, kitchen island, skirting board corners, licked a hole through the plaster back to the brickwork - the foldable cage we had was bullet proof, but we did take our time training them how to use it and sleep in it. Earlier you start the better - definitely look into how to use it appropriately to avoid any later issues. For my two girls it was their escape from the cat - or it was until one night they went to go to bed (on command) and stopped at the door shaking - my tom cat was plonked down in the middle of the bed sleeping...

ISDW

Please do use a harness when bikejoring, and a lead with a bungee in it. what kind of harness do you have? A dog walking one is not appropriate, you need one that will allow him to pull safely, an x back or a shoulder harness. it is really dangerous to get a dog to pull from its collar.

DeVore

I see people here saying their dog was "off" with them or in a huff or stuff... thats kinda weird. I havent experienced that yet (probably its too soon, I've only had him 8 weeks) but Josh is always always mad happy to see me. Even then I give out yards to him, he's always back in 5 mintues look for rubs and play. I wonder if he will develop this but right now its nothing but energy and ALWAYS up for a play. Like, *always* unless he is asleep
I cant imagine him being "off" with me, it would actually be a treat.

I'm not so much feeling "guilty" about it, as I am feeling like I dont want to undo all the progress we've made in settling him in and that. I just *know* he will be anxious, he's anxious if I go upstairs to the bathroom, but he's just going to have to dog-up and get over it. Sorry buddy, you'll live.

Travel is a regular part of my life and while I've seriously curtailed it for him, its still something that comes up from time to time. He will be looked after and will have doggie company for the time so some anxiety will just have to be put up with I'm afraid.

Hooked

I've recently taken up bikejoring and bought my harness off eBay. I haven't read the thread in detail so in not sure of the type of dog you have but here's the info on the seller and the harness which I was very pleased with. Only 13 sterling plus postage.


eBay link:

x back Racing Sled dog harness Husky/Malamute

http://bit.ly/122mdzY

DeVore

Ah, then I'm wrong about "bike-joring", this is a leash which connects to under the bike saddle (kind of a metal sprung thing).

ISDW

Hooked wrote: »

I've recently taken up bikejoring and bought my harness off eBay. I haven't read the thread in detail so in not sure of the type of dog you have but here's the info on the seller and the harness which I was very pleased with. Only 13 sterling plus postage.


eBay link:

x back Racing Sled dog harness Husky/Malamute

http://bit.ly/122mdzY

How do you find the attachment point using an xback? People do use xbacks for bikejoring, but the most popular harness for the sport is a shoulder harness. depending on the height of the dog, he could get pulled up at the back legs with an xback, with the line coming off the handlebars being a lot higher than it would be off a sled, rig or scooter.

DeVore

So.... I buckled and bought a crate (http://www.jebbtools.ie/animal-products/dog-crates/cheap-dog-crates-ireland.html) because this one is almost exactly the dimensions I wanted to get (its pretty big all the same!) and its about the same price as trying to make one myself.

Now to continue my reading on crate training

Lets hope this is the last major change I need to do because I'd like to get to the stage where he and I are working out. right now he's getting things all his own way in terms of where he is and how much time he spends with me.

Whispered

DeVore wrote: »

So.... I buckled and bought a crate (http://www.jebbtools.ie/animal-products/dog-crates/cheap-dog-crates-ireland.html) because this one is almost exactly the dimensions I wanted to get (its pretty big all the same!) and its about the same price as trying to make one myself.

Now to continue my reading on crate training

Lets hope this is the last major change I need to do because I'd like to get to the stage where he and I are working out. right now he's getting things all his own way in terms of where he is and how much time he spends with me.

I know it's been said before, but I just wanted to mention again; it is absolutely totally necessary to take the crate training at your dogs pace.-

It's ok that he's getting things his own way mine do! If I need a bit of time away from them they have their crates, but when I'm working from home they are always in the room with me.

tk123

It's going to be HUGE!! I got the XXXL one for crate rest and could fit in it with the dog!

The Sweeper

Bikejoring isn't the same as using a WalkyDog attachment for walking your dog on the bike. The Walkydog (a springloaded shock absorbing attachment that fits on the saddle pole) is specifically designed to NOT let your dog pull you on the bike. The idea is that you train the dog to run alongside the bike, but if he reacts to wildlife, other dogs or something else and goes shooting off at right angles you won't be pulled sideways off your bike and badly injured.

Sounds like you have some variation on a WalkyDog, Dev.

nemo32

Thats who we bought our crate from and it was delivered next day, Great service. Best of luck with the training, it will be well worth it! My guy loves his crate and he brings everything in there with him. We haven't reached the stage were he will stay in the crate without having a freak attack if we are in another room in the house but slowy slowy :-)

DeVore

The Sweeper wrote: »

Bikejoring isn't the same as using a WalkyDog attachment for walking your dog on the bike. The Walkydog (a springloaded shock absorbing attachment that fits on the saddle pole) is specifically designed to NOT let your dog pull you on the bike. The idea is that you train the dog to run alongside the bike, but if he reacts to wildlife, other dogs or something else and goes shooting off at right angles you won't be pulled sideways off your bike and badly injured.

Sounds like you have some variation on a WalkyDog, Dev.

Yep, thats what I have. It works a lot better than I anticipated too! Gonna try to get him down to Saint Annes maybe tomorrow...

DeVore

So, big day today... We went out with the WalkyDog attachment to the bike and things went great, I knew better how to get him connected to it and with a bit of a struggle (cos he's delighed to be outside going for his walk!) we got hooked up and on our way. Everything went smoothly down to the park when I got complacent, went too close to a bollard and Josh went one side and I went the other and pretty much lumped myself over the handlebars. Josh pulled up sharply and managed to pull the harness right over his head and then stood there, free as a bird, looking at me lying in the mud. Thankfully he didnt run or make a break for it and was quite happy to go back on the lead and on the bike. Lesson learned.
Other then that, its fantastic. Very little pull even when he is serious about getting to sniff some passing tree. So little affect on my steering that I have to keep checking back to see if he's still actually there!

Turns out, the Dog Compound in St, Annes is being renovated for 2 weeks. It does look pretty cool and we'll be going back there again as soon as its open.


Second thing is that his crate arrived. Its... ginormous. Its probably a bit TOO big if truth be told but I hated the idea of having him squashed up like a battery hen. So, not a great start when I was unpacking it the door fell open from the side and made a big crashing sound and he took off like a rocket from it. I set it up, along with a huge piece of metal for the floor and at first he wanted nothing to do with it. The floor made a loud buckling sound when he stepped on it and he didnt like that at all! So much so that when I put a treat in his bed inside, he was trying to find a way to get to the bed without walking on the floor and it was doing his little doggie brain in with frustration. Eventually he made a dash for it and leapt in the bed from the door and then got out pretty sharpish too. I decided to take the floor piece out because the noise was pretty loud from it and I didnt fancy that through the house whenever he was awake.

So, without the floor things have improved. I climbed into the crate, along with the biggest juiciest pork bone from his stash and we had a nice chew on it with me in there with him and a good solid sniff of all the bars. When I got out he got out too of course and couldnt really be coaxed back in but I figured, take it slow. So, I sat down to do some work on the laptop and he went about his usual array of playing with toys, my feet, attempting to take my power pack away with him and generally mess the place up. Then he decided he wanted his blanket and vet bed... so I watched him very tentatively stick his nose into the crate and sniff everything. Stick a paw in and out, step in grab his bedding and pull it out. I decided I had to show that bedding stays in the crate so I put them back in, sat down and ignored him again. This time he went in and lay down. He's TOTALLY suspicious of the door, I think he knows it can be closed on him but right now I just want him to get comfy with the whole idea of sleeping in there.
So, over the course of the day I've tried to reward him when he goes in and now as I type, he's flaked out in there. Quite happy in his bed. I'm going to leave him like that tonight and for a few nights before trying to use the door.

I'm getting a dog flap put in that leads from his crate to the garden so even when he is incarcerated he can go to the garden if he wants, but access to the kitchen is going to be on my terms (so I can *have* a kitchen again!).

But softly softly catchy doggie... Round 1 to the "Two Legs".

gavmcg92

DeVore wrote: »

He's TOTALLY suspicious of the door, I think he knows it can be closed on him but right now I just want him to get comfy with the whole idea of sleeping in there.

Millie is the same when it comes to her bed time. She sleeps on the couch in the kitchen. When I call her from the kitchen she comes as far as the top of the three steps down to the kitchen door. She knows exactly what will happen when she crosses that threshold :P

Stheno

Well done! Sounds like a lot of progress in a very short time Real trust that he just stood there after the bike crash

If you can, get a piece of vet bed that is bigger than the floor of the crate, put it in and fold it over at the entrance of the crate so it feels especially inviting. The floor of the crate gives it a bit more structure, and deals with any nasty toilet/sick stomach/vomiting accidents far better than without.

Leave his bed on top of the vet bed towards the middle/back of the crate.

Any time I've used crates, I've always had a bowl of water in the crate to one side of the door too, just gets them used to going in and out

Ms Tootsie

The updates are hysterical, they remind me so much of when we got our guy. Going from being at our wits end to slowly getting there and celebrating every tiny milestone along the way. The first time I saw him get into his crate without needing any coaxing with a treat I could have cried with joy lol because I knew all the hard work was finally paying off.

I will say if the crate is huge, when you first go to leave him in it with the door closed, use a bit of cardboard or something to block parts off and make it more suitable for his size. You dont want him being able to get up and go to the toilet at one end of the crate and then lie back comfortably away from it all on his bed, this will only start bad toilet habits in the crate. We are still having the odd accident in the house with our guy (I swear I think he was the runt of the litter) but the one place he will never ever go to the toilet is in his crate. I got this tip from other dog owners here on boards

notlongleft

loving the update Josh sounds like he s getting better. Great that he did run off while you were in a heap!

kylith

Just wanted to say DeVore; you may need to check with your home insurance company before getting a dog door installed. AFAIK some of them won't cover you if you have one.

DeVore

Thanks I'll be sure to give that a check before I smash holes in my house.

Not much update from Josh lately, the crate has been taken in his stride and while I havent yet closed the door, he has no problem going in and out of it and sleeping there. So far so good.

I dunno when will be the best time to lock him in... I'm debating if I should wait for the dog flap to be installed (sometime this week, all going well and if the insurance company has no issue!)

He has become noticeable less bonkers in the morning and less anxious about me leaving the room. If he's tired he may not even get up to run over to see where I'm going through the glass pane in the door (which he has always done since day 1!). That is a huge bonus because in the first week he would go so nuts that I couldnt dare leave my laptop around when just nipping to the loo! Everything had to be packed away. Now I feel like I can leave him a short time without thinking he will chew through the cables ...

I've booked 9 days away in March and I must admit, I'm worried. He's SO attached to me that I hope he wont stress out again. Also, I hate the idea of the little fella being distressed. So, I guess I'm bonding with him

The local college has allowed me access to their fenced off huge playing fields area and Josh is in doggie heaven there with acres of room to run and tons of bushes to snuffle.

I'm hoping to board him with the pet-sitter lady for a day this weekend, then a three days in a fortnights time, working up to the 9 days in March.

Some days I want to snuggle him like mad and others I want to give him a big kick up the arse

Assassin saphir

Best thread on boards DeVore. I got my first dog 4 weeks ago and we are going through the same things as you and Josh. I love reading your updates. Keep them coming!

DeVore

Ok, set phasers to Awwww...

Tonight Josh was very sleepy after a hugely exciting day of lots of unknown people coming into his kitchen, a biiig walk, a bone, a burnt pizza which had to be barked to death and practise for 10 minutes of being locked in his crate (he's not a fan but he went back in and out afterwards freely enough).

So, I'm pooped too, been a very busy day for "daddy" as well. I came in just now and he had been in his bed and waddled over to me and leaned on my shins like usual when he's tired. I sat down on the floor and he flumped onto my legs and I enjoyed a minute rubbing his head while he looked up at me. Then his eyes just glazed over and he turned his head into me and conked out cold. Its absolutely one of the nicest things I've had happen to me and I can certainly see the stress-relieving element of dog ownership (not that it doesnt also have its stressful moments too!).

I'm really starting to bond with this dog I think

anniehoo

DeVore wrote: »

I'm really starting to bond with this dog I think

Awww is right.

Dog ownership...any pet ownership tbh is all about the little moments. I've been fostering an elderly dog since xmas (it was only meant to be for 2 weeks) and over the weekend she started wagging her tail for the first time. It sounds like such a trivial thing, but i swear to god i was choked up. She was happy,genuinely happy and i could've burst i was so thrilled with myself. She was so frail when i got her, so downtrodden and underloved...to see that tail wagging made all the effort worth it.

It's all about the little things with animals and the fact you've posted that makes me so happy for you and him. YOU GET IT NOW!!!

notlongleft

awwwwwwwwwhhhhhhhhhhh

gavmcg92

We all know how you feel dev The part of my day I always look forward to is coming home from college. I get a great welcome home from millie followed by her swinging her tug toy up onto my lap

Mark Tapley

Op congratulations on your new addition . I was wondering would you reconsider the crate idea. I think they are a development in dog training that we can do without.

Whispered

Mark Tapley wrote: »

Op congratulations on your new addition . I was wondering would you reconsider the crate idea. I think they are a development in dog training that we can do without.

We could do without most training aids, but why do without when they're available?

tk123

Mark Tapley wrote: »

Op congratulations on your new addition . I was wondering would you reconsider the crate idea. I think they are a development in dog training that we can do without.

Are you basing this on a bad experience using a crate or misunderstanding of what a crate is/is for? ...ie it's a safe place that the dog willingly wants to be in and not a jail?

DeVore

What I'm trying to do with the crate is constrain him from chewing everything in the morning before I get up... I've started him off by putting him in it over night but leaving the door open and he is very happy with that so far. I'm introducing the idea that he is locked in slowly with treats to reassure him. He doesnt like that but I'm afraid like, a child, sometimes he has to accept things he might not like. Its important for us both to find a balance but what I'm realising is that I'm the only one of the two of us seeking that balance. Josh would rather he got everything his own way and was never separated from me but thats not sustainable long term. So, as much as I dont like him being distressed, its ultimately for his own good if we are to remain a pair.

Whispered

DeVore wrote: »

What I'm trying to do with the crate is constrain him from chewing everything in the morning before I get up... I've started him off by putting him in it over night but leaving the door open and he is very happy with that so far. I'm introducing the idea that he is locked in slowly with treats to reassure him. He doesnt like that but I'm afraid like, a child, sometimes he has to accept things he might not like. Its important for us both to find a balance but what I'm realising is that I'm the only one of the two of us seeking that balance. Josh would rather he got everything his own way and was never separated from me but thats not sustainable long term. So, as much as I dont like him being distressed, its ultimately for his own good if we are to remain a pair.

Just like a child really.

The best way I found to get them used to being locked into it is a long tiring walk on an empty stomach, then when you come home give him a stuffed kong in his locked crate. He should be tired and hungry enough to not even notice that he's closed it. If you can stay in the room with him for now it will make it even easier for him. I'd keep the kong as a crate treat only for now, so no kong when he's relaxing with you on the couch in the evenings

Hooked

tk123 wrote: »

Are you basing this on a bad experience using a crate or misunderstanding of what a crate is/is for? ...ie it's a safe place that the dog willingly wants to be in and not a jail?

I'm very much on the pro side of crate training I have to say. Even as I type this (I'm home on lunch), Hugo is eating his dinner in his open crate and when he's done, he'll happily wait to be called out for training and playtime.

As it was woeful out - and his crate is just inside the back door, he just hops in where I can dry him off before being left to roam the house downstairs.

When guests arrive or the doorbell rings, crate. When we eat (table is beside crate), off he goes without even being asked. Kept outdoors during the day, sleeps in his crate from 11.30pm-7am and never a sound. Better than being outdoors all night in this weather!

But the biggest positive, and it was unplanned and not foreseen - was his 10 day recovery after an undescended testicle had to be removed. Say he wasn't crate trained and had to have all that confined, down-time... In a small space so as not to damage stitches etc... Whatever would I have done? He'd have had no idea what was happening.

While its not for everyone - a well crate trained dog - can be the perfect solution.

And how could I forget... Toilet training!!! 2 accidents in 2 years. Once I fed too late as a pup, the other was the runs - poor dog. Toilet training trumps the post op positive.

Crate training all the way for us!

Whispered

Hooked wrote: »

Crate training all the way for us!

Another huge plus for us - when we go to visit people, I can bring my boys and their crates and I know they will settle. Anywhere. I can even bring them somewhere, settle and crate them, then go out for a while, and I know they won't be distressed because they are in their "bedroom".

tk123

Yeah crate training ftw for us too - not that we had a choice because he had 2 operations and needed to be restricted for 6 weeks both times.

Dev one thing that sticks out to me is that your saying Josh's terms all the time - don't confuse terms with pace. There are some things you just can't rush with a dog IMO - especially one with anxiety issues.

Back to crate training I started by feeding with Kongs in the crate leaving it open for a few days, then closing it while he ate and gradually building up how long after he was finished the door was left closed.

DeVore

I have to admit I do realise how incredibly lucky I am with Josh. I mean, yeah he jumps around all the time and slams the backdoor (and he's no showing any signs of giving that up any time soon im afraid), but he has been toilet trained from day 1 and doesnt bark the house down and is taking to his crate well, is great with kids, doesnt snap, is very loyal and is generally a good dog who is just a bit madly energetic!
From the stories here, its clear how much worse it could have been. I dunno if I would have been able for that to be honest!

His crate is about to get an exit to the backyard through a dogflap (I checked the insurance and they are cool with it.) so hopefully that will improve matters too.

He IS really childlike, he will go mad if he doesnt get his way and then be distracted by something else and wander off and then later remember he wants into the house or up on my lap (not allowed!) and will whine again like he will DIE without it. Emotionally manipulative bastard so he is!

nemo32

DeVore wrote: »

What I'm trying to do with the crate is constrain him from chewing everything in the morning before I get up... I've started him off by putting him in it over night but leaving the door open and he is very happy with that so far. I'm introducing the idea that he is locked in slowly with treats to reassure him. He doesnt like that but I'm afraid like, a child, sometimes he has to accept things he might not like. Its important for us both to find a balance but what I'm realising is that I'm the only one of the two of us seeking that balance. Josh would rather he got everything his own way and was never separated from me but thats not sustainable long term. So, as much as I dont like him being distressed, its ultimately for his own good if we are to remain a pair.

Completely the same situation for our guy, he needs to learn to be in his crate with the door closed. He has no problem at night with the door closed so I know it's a case of just being a drama king if he gives out when we close the door when we are downstairs or it's just no bedtime. He comes around eventually and clams down but it can take some time in some cases and that's even after the slowly slowly approch to crate training. Always try and do it when he's tired and give him treats/kongs to keep him content. Best of luck!

Mark Tapley

tk123 wrote: »

Are you basing this on a bad experience using a crate or misunderstanding of what a crate is/is for? ...ie it's a safe place that the dog willingly wants to be in and not a jail?

I was trying to be diplomatic, what I really meant was- OP please don't lock your new friend in a crate.

Whispered

Mark Tapley wrote: »

I was trying to be diplomatic, what I really meant was- OP please don't lock your new friend in a crate.

It suits most dogs if correctly introduced and trained.

kylith

Whispered wrote: »

It suits most dogs if correctly introduced and trained.

Mine are only crated from travelling, but you can't keep them out of the crates once they see them. Can't even put the fecking things together because the dogs keep sitting on them.

Hooked

Whispered wrote: »

Another huge plus for us - when we go to visit people, I can bring my boys and their crates and I know they will settle. Anywhere. I can even bring them somewhere, settle and crate them, then go out for a while, and I know they won't be distressed because they are in their "bedroom".

Jaysus I forgot all about holidays on my post above. And I don't mean crates for travelling... I changed the car for that!!! Bmw touring - just for the dog!!!

We have a metal crate and a fabric one for camping/holidays/self catering/hotel stays.

Crate training really is the business.

tk123

Our main crate is actually a car crate. I got it when he was on crate rest first time round so we could move him to the kitchen if we were going to be in there for a while and wanted to keep an eye on him etc. He seemed to prefer it to the old bed so it's been there ever since!

Here he is evening with our own Josh from Ikea lol! ... (The top of the crate isn't usually that messy!;))

Hooked

While we're sharing photos, here's Hugo's 'room'. Just inside the French doors was this alcove beside what used to be a fireplace - that was just inch perfect.



I built the unit above it for his water, food, various leads, harnesses, backpacks, etc... Tis handy to have his towels and blankets and everything else all in the one place - and as I earlier said - as its just inside the backdoor and adjacent to the dinner table, tis perfect for cleaning him off, feeding, etc...

And he was just chilling there after our walk tonight - so it's a place of his own away from us to chill out as much as anything else.