Soft crate training for a new girl

[pharmdoc]

My wife and I will be getting our first boxer pup in about a week and we are preparing for her "not soon enough-)" arrival. I have read a few threads that talk about the problems with soft crates but I dont like the idea of putting my new girl into a metal cage. Also my wife and I want to take her with us when we go out of town and dont want to lug a cage around. Does it help that we are starting her out young with some chew toys to keep her occupied?
Thanks for the advice,
Andy

 

[Jan]

Soft crates are for crate trained dogs only. A young dog will soon learn to chew their way out. They are though great for travel and dog shows etc., but I wouldn't want to leave a young boxer unattended in one. It is just too risky that they will break out. I would stick to a hard plastic or metal crate or the first couple of years.

 

[IluvLucy]

I would use a wire crate. They are chew proof, and they do fold up for traveling. I would not spend the money on a soft crate unless I was sure my dog would destroy it trying to escape. One other advantage to the wire crate over a soft crate is they provide better air flow when it is hot.

 

[BetsyB]

What don't you like about using a metal crate? It is not a "cage" per say, but a safe comfy area for your pup to go that is her own personal space, a little retreat. We have always used a wire crate. They fold easily for transport, and offer 360 degree views and airflow. They also usually come with dividers to use when your pup is small, and to aid with house training. I feel our crate is a necessary asset, and would never have a dog without a crate. Mackensie has been with us since the age of six weeks, has always slept in her crate, and goes in there now when she wants some personal space, and every night when it's "bedtime". We also have another metal crate for whatever foster we happen to have.
A crate should not be thought of a cage, or something to use for punishment. If you make going in the crate a happy thing she gets a reward for, and make it cozy and comfy you'll see she likes to have that place just for her, and doesn't think of it as punishment at all. JMHO.
I don't believe a soft crate/pop-up would last too long with a new puppy

 

[taryndanae]

Cassius is not the biggest fan of his wire crate and actually prefers his hard sided plastic crate (Maybe more den-like). The problem is he does get too hot on occassion in it, and we bought a crate fan, which solved that problem!!

The plastic one is definitely not as convenient to travel with, but we make do!

 

[ChicasMom]

Chica had a soft crate, and I mean HAD! We came home one day to find that she had chewed her way out. We had started her in the soft crate at 8 weeks old and she did great until around 7 months old. Now she has a metal crate and she does fine in it, and hasn't found a way to chew herself to freedom!

Congrats on your new puppy.. how exciting!

Julie & Chica (10/29/06)

 

[CharlyFarly]

We use a soft crate - just as a den for when either Charlie or Linus want to take a break - but we never close the flap because Linus (our own little Dennis the Menace puppy) would be out of that thing in a sweet second. We got it when Charlie was a puppy and used it for car travel. Charlie however wasn't one to push the boundary limits and was content to settle in for a nap when on the road. We still didn't use it in the house - for one we'd hate to be gone and have him stuck and potentially injured after scratching a hole in it and secondly they are just too expensive. You may find that your pup may be able to handle it in the car (though our Linus wouldn't and we now have a plastic one for the car) but you won't know until you try it and it's an expensive test.

The puppy won't have the emotional reaction to a metal cage unless her introduction to it is unpleasant. I think if you set her and you up for success you'll find that it will work out okay - and save you a few $$.

Good luck!

 

[pharmdoc]

I think that I am convinced that a metal crate will be for the best. My wife has come up with a few good ideas to make it a cozy place for her to stay. thanks for the advise!

Andy