The Crate

after Knox chewed our new kitchen yesterday, something he has never done before, and after researching and suggestions we decided to get him a crate. as he is a generally nervous dog of all new things, unless it squeaks, I was thinking it would take months of persuasion to get him in a crate. to my surprise we put it up, he took one look at it and walked straight in and fell asleep. we even brought it upstairs to bed for him to sleep in and he spent the entire nite in there and seems to love it. now I don't feel so bad about it as I think he enjoys being in there. He will only be in there when we go out for periods of time, normally at work and no longer than 4 hours at a time.

just thought I'd share my news

great when it works out , you can put covers over 3 sides to make it like a den for him too so he feels nice and secure

yeah we've put a cover over the top and he loves it. well appears to anyway lol

Glad it's going well

thank you x

VikkiGT4 wrote: yeah we've put a cover over the top and he loves it. well appears to anyway lol

Hope you don't mind a sugestion....drape some material not only over the top of the crate, but the sides & back. He'll like it even more as it'll be like a safe 'den' for him.

oh ok cool. the cover on the top is long so covers the sides it's just the back that isn't covered but that's up against a wall xx

Knox looks snug as a bug in his new den

Very pleased to hear that knox has taken so well to his crate. They really can be a God send when used correctly. He definitely looks at home in there and it looks homely for him too. I'm sure he will get used to it very quickly.

VikkiGT4 wrote: oh ok cool. the cover on the top is long so covers the sides it's just the back that isn't covered but that's up against a wall xx

If you can, cover the back as well. It'll cut out draughts, and nervous dogs like the feeling of getting right away from everything around them. It's soothing for them & could make him less anxious in general.

Great to hear he's taken to it so quickly

He looks super comfy, but yea if you cover the back/top/sides it'll be even better for him

Aww really pleased this has worked for you he looks and sounds like he very content

Brilliant , it looks comfy

Thanks guys

I'm pleased he's happy sleeping in there. Doesn't even flinch now when the crate makes a noise - which is great cos he's nervous of most things lol

Left him for half an hour yesterday whilst we went to Asda. No crying or whining. Went straight in and sat down. Looked a little sad but he's brought this on himself by chewing out brand new kitchen! AND at least he's not outside the little blighter!! love him really hehe

Got back and he had rucked his bedding around but no mess and not tried to get out so he must be ok. Trying to introduce him to being locked in a little at a time. Don't want to freak him out by him being in there 4 hours at a time straight off x

He looks very cosy! He has lovely markins what a handsome boy

Aw he looks super happy!

He looks very happy in his lovely den, it's nice to have his own space (aswell as yours when he wants it obviously lol), i sometimes think Cassie is a Hamster the way she puts her bedding in her crate so it's like a funnel and she climbs into the middle lol

Oh bless her lol sounds extremely cute

I'm just worried about having to lock him in there but it's for his and my house's own good

In the long run it'll probably be very good for him. It'll become his hidey hole where he'll feel safe from all life's little worries!

I hope so. just feel cruel

all snug with his new quilt. wild thing!! raaaawwww

Well, he is in there and looks pretty well chilled out, thats a great sign. He wouldn't look that comfy if he wasn't.

thanks hun x

Glad to hear you have got a create and its going well, they really are so useful and it does make me wonder why every dog owner does not get a create for their dog sometimes.

Main thing for me was so I know they are safe when I cant watch them, last thing I would want is for one of my dogs to start shewing on some cable and get electric shock or something like that happening.

well when we first got him he chewed through a cable but it was a dead one right next to a live one and it scared the hell out of us. He tripped everything off but luckily my other half is An electrician. I wouldn't ever forgive myself if he hurt himself when I wasnt there so I guess it's for the best x

He looks contented Vinnie absolutely loves his crate I have it covered all the way round as Caryll said it cuts out any drafts. He will I am sure be very happy in there.

Ok so first day of leaving him on his own (well for 4 hours this morning and 4 hours this afternoon with a walk in between). Scared to death of what I'll find when I get home.

Haven't locked him in, have trusted him to our bedroom with his crate in there with a kong and peanut butter, all his toys on the landing. Shut access off to all other rooms except for the landing and stairs.

Just hope he doesn't chew anything he shouldn't.

I'm dreading going home cos I hate to think what I'll find and I hate having to tell him off if he's been naughty

Ok so was dreading going home this lunchtime for our walkies.

To my suprise he was flat out in his crate. No mess, not even been on our bed and ruffled it. Hoping it's because he feels comfortable being there and feels like it's sleepy time not "Mummy Daddy aren't here time".

Anyway - not counting my chickens before they've hatched. Gonna be at least a week before I can say he's being a really good boy

That's a big success story! Nice one, hope it continues.

Thanks Mat me too!