Crates - thoughts

[Lael]

I see what you meant by the pictures now. I myself haven't spent too much time just browsing the gallery, so I haven't seen those pictures. I should've taken pictures of Lael's stunt of ripping the wood paneling off the wall at our last place. But I was too shocked to think of it. :rolleyes:

For a registered name? Well, I like having the kennel's name (or one of them) and the sire's name in the registered name. My DH disagrees, but I like to identify my Boxer with her kennel and her sire (who is a very beautiful dog). Outside of that, I'd put some witty saying that includes the name and suggests how you chose the name. Like, So-and-So's Kodiak Emerald Isle (that's the nickname of Kodiak Is. in Alaska). So-and-So's It's a Kodiak Moment. (he he.... maybe that's too cheesy). :D

 

[craZ4HERKIE]

I absolutely agree with crate training...it's a wonderful thing.I actually got my crate BEFORE I got Herkie!It kept him safe when I wasn't home...and still does...and he is 4...but he's not to be trusted!It's also a wonderful house-breaking aid.And you'll also find it's a good to have a crate...because sometimes when you are home...they may need a little quiet time away from all the activity...especially when cleaning house!

I wouldn't worry too much about him being bored...puppies do sleep a lot!But please BE VERY CAREFUL about leaving toys, rawhide, etc...I wouldn't recommend that AT ALL.Sometimes things meant for amusement can turn into a choking hazard....and you don't want something like that to happen...especially when you aren't home.Also, BE CAREFUL of leaving collars, and harnesses on him while crated...if he gets excited...this may prevent another choking hazard, or also a possible way to hang himself.

I am not trying to preach...or upset you!I am just pointing out a few things that you may or may not know.I know you want to keep your pup as safe as possible...and sometimes these things are so easy to forget.

And Congrats!appicon appicon...I know you'll love having a Boxer !

 

[kcttiger]

Hi, I was so new to this crate/boxer thing too in April when we got Harley. At first we put the crate in our room next to our bed and he did fine because he was still next to us.. he really wasn't hard to crate train at all, he never has pooped in it. He actually likes it, in fact we let him sleep by our bed one night (w/out his crate) thinking maybe he old enough to not mess in the house and he didn't sleep well at all, he kept tossing & turning, getting up. You could tell he wasn't comfortable, so we put his pillow in the crate and he went right in and fell asleep. I was a firm beleiver in the crate at that point. WE only have 1 dog. But my sister has an older (7 yrs) boxer that was a rescue and never crated, they got a puppy last year and crated him. there has never been any jealousy or misconception. I guess because the puppy never knew any different since he was at his new home that he didn't care. In fact when they leave he goes in willingly(w/ a treat) and the big dog will sleep next to the crate of the younger one. It even amazes me that when they get home and open the door, he stays in sometimes, it is crazy. My Harley always comes out right away. I have noticed dogs that are crate trained will even go into their crate for naps or time away. the first couple weeks (when harley was 8 weeks) was an adjustment though. I found it easier that i just put the crate in the room i was in, doing dishes, bring it in the kitchen, while getting ready for the day in the bathroom i brought it in there and talked to him while in it. Now that he is 7 months and a huge crate it isn't so easy but he is used to and we ony use it when we leave or at night. It will go well, trust yourself.
Congratulations, it is amazing how you will fall in love with your new baby instantly.
Have fun, KAren & Harley

 

[kcttiger]

I had to add more, the Cody & Duke story was the greatest. My sister's older dog did the same thing, still does, every once in a while the big dog will in the crate and is wasy too big for it. It looks ridiculous! you will see. Your big dog will ask one day, "why does the little guy get his own crate and not me?" It ws the funniest thing i ever saw, this huge boxer in this little crate with just his front end sticking out because he could only fit his back side in it. I wish i had a picture of it.

 

[cam7867]

Congrats on your new puppy. We have a 7.5 month old female, Zoey. We put her in her crate the very first day we went back to work (in March). That was the only day she spent in her crate, after that she was left in 'her bedroom' with her toys and bed, other than at night she would sleep in her crate.

We have now found that the older she gets the more destructive she has become. At first it was small things that she would chew up, she has now chewed up two, not one but two comforters. The last one she chewed was down, I came home to a bed and puppy covered in feather. I didn't know if I should laugh or cry, I did a little of both, also the tinkle accidents she started to have, knowing she is house trained. So today, we went out and bought a different type of crate for her to be kept in during the day while we are at work. So I guess what I am trying to say is crate, crate and crate. Don't go through what we have and I'm sure others, that have felt guilty for putting them in a crate.

 

[cl2ysta1]

The crate becomes the dog's safe place.. where they will go for naps.. or when they want to get away... it shouldnt be used as a bad dog place though.. if your dog messes dont send him away to the crate... its supposed to be a comfortable safe place... good luck the first week is usually rough cuz they bark and cry a lot

 

[jbbtlr]

I'm down to almost a week now before I get to go pick up my puppy. We are so excited.

So much to learn. We are going out this week to pick up the crate. I think we are going to get a big one so then we are not having to spend more money later when he would grow out of the small one. I don't think I haver read this much in a long time..

Thanks for all the tips about what to do while they are in and out of the crate. I'm grateful I found this website. It has such great information and you guys are all so helpful.

I think we are going to name him Lord Kodiak Ace of Tyson. His dads name is Tyson so we wanted that in there somewhere.

I'm not sure what I would have done had I come home to a shredded comforter. Cry and laugh also I am sure. I can say I am not looking forward to the destructive phase. Our Dalmation is almost 13 and has been out of that phase for some time now.

I am sure it will all be worth it though. I have fallen in love with everyones pictures in the gallery. I can't wait to post more once we get Koda.

Hope you all are having a great weekend!

~~Jeanette~~

 

[kcttiger]

I know it can get expensive to keep buying bigger crates for every stage. But it is well worth it in valuables that will saved. We bought a sml/med size one for HArley and kept him in it until he just looked too big for it, i would say it was only about 3 months(so he was propably 5 months at that stage). So don't spend very much, he looks full grown and 50 lbs. at 7 months! We moved him to a huge one that he can live in forever now. So don't spend very much on the little one, if you were closer i would give you mine. I think it was only about $40, all metal not the plastic ones because i wanted him to be able to see out and not feel so confined, now that he is used to it i bought the biggest one i could find, and it is actually airplane proof and everything, we take it anywhere we go with him. Even camping last weekend, we brought his crate and he slept great, our firends dog isn't crate trained and when they leave home the dog doesn't sleep well because he isn't used to it. Their dog got up and down all night, pacing. Just a convienence thought.
How exciting, i am very sad though Harley has grown so fast. He looks like a big boy now, i wish they could stay little. Your little guy is just so cute. why do they have to grow so fast anyway? Good luck.
Karen & Harley

 

[kcttiger]

Another thought......Whenever we let him out of his crate even if he had been it in for 2 minutes, we always took him outside to go potty whenever we opened the door. No playing or loves or anything, straight outside and then when he peed or pooped we would love on him and play and eat or whatever. He had accidents in the house but not very many. It worked great. If i think of anything else i will let you know. I had a lot of questions just starting the crate thing too.

 

[mancin]

Dividers

Instead of buying different crates as the puppy grows, you could always buy a divider... that's what I did. I bought a crate for a full grown boxer and will use a divider to make the space small enough for the puppy to be comfortable, but not too big as to allow him to potty in one corner and sleep in another.