wire dog crate large
wire dog crate large
What kind of crate should i buy for a large breed dog?
i want a wire one with a divider and a pan but i keep hearing that they break too easily or rust and stuff like that. also, that the plastic pan breaks easily and that dogs who are chewers will destroy the crate itself. and ive read reviews about certain brands and seems they are only good for smaller breeds. i think the plastic ones would be too hard to clean incase they have an accident.
btw. it’ll be for a GSD. im not sure male or female yet.
i want a wire one with a divider and a pan but i keep hearing that they break too easily or rust and stuff like that. also, that the plastic pan breaks easily and that dogs who are chewers will destroy the crate itself. and ive read reviews about certain brands and seems they are only good for smaller breeds. i think the plastic ones would be too hard to clean incase they have an accident.
btw. it’ll be for a GSD. im not sure male or female yet.
- only for when it sleeps
You don’t want a plastic one for crate training. They harbor bacteria and also don’t have very good air flow through them. The coated wire crates are strong and also fold down flat for storage. I used one for my Newf/Lab mix dog when he was a pup and it worked great. http://www.drsfostersmith.com and http://www.jbpet.com have some really good quality crates and they’re also much less expensive than buying one from your local pet store. This is the model similar to what we had – http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3307+10627+8724&pcatid=8724 I think we got ours at JB, though, because their prices were a bit cheaper – http://www.jbpet.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=505_591&products_id=705
As per the “plastic pan breaking easily/they rust” well once Jake was housebroken mine was still in excellent condition so I sold it locally to someone on eBay for just $20 less than I paid for it!
EDIT: are you getting this crate to train a puppy or to stick an adult dog in “when he sleeps” as you added? If it’s the latter that’s cruel to cage a dog up like that. Crates should be only used to train puppies not to go potty in the house – not to lock an adult dog up in.
Puppy Crate Training Tips
If you find it necessary to be away from home all day, it does not mean that you cannot successfully housetrain your puppy or dog. You will not be able to take your puppy outside for regular walks or leave him in a crate; however, do not make the mistake of allowing him to roam the house or even a large room at will. Begin housetraining your puppy by confining him to some out-of-the-way comer that is easily accessible to him. You can choose a small room or an area of the house partitioned with baby gates, and cover the floor with newspaper or puppy pads.
Make your dog’s special area large enough so that the he will not have to relieve himself next to his bed, food, or water. You will soon find that your pup will be inclined to use one particular spot to perform his bowel and bladder functions. When you are home, you must take the dog to this exact spot to eliminate at the appropriate time. If you consistently take your dog to the same spot, you will reinforce the habit of going there for that purpose.
Crate Training
There is another relatively easy method to housetrain most dogs that works well with both puppies and adults-with little, hot-wired dogs, big subdued dogs, and every kind in between. It’s called the cage or crate training method, which is based very simply on the fact that the average dog does not like to mess near where he eats and sleeps.
I’ve known first-time dog owners who thought this method of housetraining was cruel initially, but those same people have returned later to thank me for having suggested it in the first place. Interestingly in many cases, dogs will come to think of their crates as their den. All dogs need a place of their own to retreat to and you will probably find that your dog will consider his cage or crate that place.
Wire cages and fiberglass shipping kennels come in varied sizes and can be purchased at your favorite pet emporium. Nylabone makes a Fold-Away Pet Carrier that can be stored and carried around easily. The cage or crate used for housetraining should be large enough for the dog to stand up, lie down, and stretch out in comfortably, but no bigger.
Begin by feeding your dog in the crate. Keep the door closed and latched while he is eating. When the meal is finished, open the crate and, if possible, carry the dog outdoors to the spot where you want him to eliminate. It is important to go back to the same spot each and every time. First, because the dog will get the message that this is the place for doing his “business” more quickly. Second, it will save you hours of clean-up time when droppings need only be collected from one location rather than from all over the yard.
If you are not able to watch your dog every minute, he should be in his cage or crate with the door securely latched. Each time you put your dog inside the crate, give him a small treat. Throw the treat to the back of the crate, and encourage the dog to walk in on his own. When he does, give him lots of praise and perhaps another piece of the treat through the wires of the cage.
Do not succumb to your dog’s initial complaints about being in his crate. The puppy must learn to stay in his cage and to do so without complaining. If you respond to the puppy’s vocal demands to be let out, you are sure to reinforce – you guessed it – barking. Your puppy will very quickly learn to “voice” every single complaint he may have. This is not only annoying, but you will never be. able to determine if there really is a need to go outside.
About the Author
HouseTrainaPuppy.org is an indispensable website for anyone who has a puppy, or is thinking of getting one in the near future. The puppy house training tips alone will help you raise and train your four legged friend to be a welcome and happy member of your home.