[carrie13]

So - we are getting a little Bichon-miniature poodle mix. It will be 10 weeks old when it arrives in 2 weeks. I keep going back and forth between really excited to meet her, and terrified.

So.. now I need help: I can't decide on a crate! I want an open crate (and then if she seems to do better with it closed, I can cover it, and want it to have a divider for crate training. Eventually, the door will be removed or propped open except when we are gone, if she needs to be confined, but it will be her space to get away from the kids when she wants to. My problem is... Which crate? I've got the size figured out (22-24 inches long, 18-ish wide and 19-ish high).

Every time I think I've found a great one, I read the reviews and hear a horror story about how a dog was injured by a flaw in that crate. I then go up to the more expensive ones, and still see awful reviews (mixed with great reviews). I know everyone has their own opinions, but what if I got one where someone warned of a possible danger (even though 600 other people said it was great), and then my little dog got hurt by it? UGH!

So, favorite crates, anyone?

 

[odiesmom]

I have a 4 year old poochon (poodle/bichon) and I got a small soft sided crate for her when she was 9weeks old, she chewed right threw it . The main issue with a crate is not to have it too big or too small. The pup should be able to stand, sit and turn around comfortably in the crate but not have alot of extra room or they may potty in it . for travel the hard sided closed crates are great, for home a wire crate that is left in the area of the house that the family hangs out in. Sophie tattles on herself when she is bad by putting herself in timeout in her crate. One rule I have is once they are in the crate I WILL NOT pull them out to punish them, she knows when she has done wrong. Beware bichons or bichon mixes can be very stubborn on potty training . I live in ALaska and in the winter Sophie refuses to poo outside ( potty is ok ) so she has puppy pads . not sure I would want my tushy in the snow either to poo. The biggest piece of advice I can give you is to start grooming daily from day one with her to get her used to baths, brushing , teeth cleaning and nail cutting and beware of groomers. My Sophie had a very bad experience with a groomer and is now very difficult to handle. GOOD LUCK !!

 

[Rescued]

The regular old metal collapsible ones. Midwest if you care about a brand, though I dont think it makes any difference.

There is ALWAYS a risk with crating a dog. Most people feel that a crated puppy is less of a risk (danger to itself) than it would be running around the house, and I agree. Take the collar off anytime the puppy is crated, and you'll be fine.

and EDIT: I read your other thread and am glad you put thought into choosing a breeder, but please don't use the term "adopt." There is nothing wrong with buying a puppy from a responsible breeder, which is what you are doing- you aren't adopting a puppy, and there's nothing wrong with that.

 

[carrie13]

I read your other thread and am glad you put thought into choosing a breeder, but please don't use the term "adopt." There is nothing wrong with buying a puppy from a responsible breeder, which is what you are doing- you aren't adopting a puppy, and there's nothing wrong with that.

You are right - I typed that by mistake. I usually am sensitive to that term, don't know why it slipped in. I adopted my kids. I am buying my dog.

 

[alidangerfield]

I always had the wire ones for my miniature schnauzers growing up. When they were puppies and the kennel was too big forthem we'd put a really large durable stuffed animal in the crate with them so that they didn't have room to have an accident. Another good idea is to really wear them out before putting them inside so that they sleep in the kennel rather than trying to escape it.

 

[Bojojo]

I used and airplane certified crate, Pet Cargo 600, My pup traveled over 5000km in it and it held up quite fine (screws hold it together, little handles go over the screws, one was lost in transport but only damage while he transferred flights about 5 times) The door can be opened on either side which I like, you can put it anywhere and get them in and out easy, also easy to remove the door. It's also pretty cute for an airline approved crate. (Tip, for a crate bed, you can buy one for like $50 or fill a pillowcase with regular stuffing/batting and sew it closed by double stitching, fits in them perfectly and can wash them easy in case of a mess) Also if you're leaving the dog in it while you're away you will want the dog to have room to move around, no one wants to be locked up without being able to move all day!