To crate or not to crate?

[Rexsmom]

We got Rex a little over a month ago and thought the people that gave him to us was gonna give us his crate also but they didn't. (They have no other dogs so they have no use for a crate. Go figure!!) Anyway, while they had him he stayed in a crate pretty much all the time, while they ate, when they wasnt home, of course, and even when company came over but the bad thing is is that they would put him in a crate when he was bad and then thy would put him there to sleep also, which I think was wrong but it was their dog at the time. Now that we have him we dont have a crate at the moment because we cant afford a large crate for him to grow into. But he has to have something because I now have a job and there are times when he is home by himself for more than 4 hours. Normally we wopuld just leave him out and he would be fine. But the other day we came home and there was 3 rolls of paper towels chewed up all over the living room!!! BAD BOY!!! So we have been thinking about gettin him a crate to stay in JUST while no one is home. He would still be able to sleep on the couch at night like normal and be a house dog while were home but he would be in a crate while were at work so he doesnt teear up any more of my house. Is that a good idea? Or should we just work more on the "home alone" house training?


Brendi and Rex

 

[Rlr.Giraffe]

You don't mention how old Rex is, but if he's being destructive while you are gone, it is probably safer for him (and your stuff) if he's in a crate. I am guessing that a few rolls of paper towels would be the least of your worries over time! I keep envisioning the day when we don't crate Willis... we will come home to a pile of rubble and Willis sitting happily on top of it...

If Rex was previously crate trained (although a bit excessively it sounds like!) then you probably won't have any problems reintroducing him to it, and he might like to have his own "bedroom".

If cost is a concern, you could contact the people you got him from and see if they are willing to sell it for cheap. Or, you could try and find a used crate in the paper, bargain finder, garage sales... just make sure it is in good shape and clean it out with bleach before Rex uses it.

 

[rog1006]

AAAAh if tyson had only chewed paper towels.....we began thinking of crating after he destroyed my entire leather couch in about 30 minutes...
Definitely make crating a positive thing....put yummy treats in there and a kong while your gone. Then when he's old enough you can start testing him to see if he's ready to be left alone. Good Luck!


Christine
Boxer Luv Rescue

 

[Rexsmom]

Rex is now 6 months old. While he was at his old owners house he had chewed up their leather couch as well so when he got here I guess it was out of his system to chew up our couch. But yes he has destroyed more than just paper towels. He's gotten into a box of computer papers and chewed those up, tore up my daughters stuffed animals, just a few thankfully, and the most important, he chewed up all of our bills one day. We could have killed him after that. But other than that he's pretty good. I think I'll start lookin in the paper for a crate and try to reintroduce him like ya'll mentioned. Hopefully it'll work. Wish me luck!!!

Brendi and Rex

 

[Kim Ranard]

I can just see that now, But sir my dog REALLY did chew up my bills Funny to me but I bet it wasnt to you!!

 

[RentsOSketch]

Definitely Crate

PetSmart has the best crates I have found yet. I am not sure what your budget is, but the price seemed very good for a crate that you can adjust for your dog. If you wnat more info, let me know and I can hook you up.

RentsOSketch

 

[Rexsmom]

Yeah when he chewed up our bills we was pretty pi$$ed. I started to wonder if we could just call the bill places and tell them that we wasnt gonna be able to pay our bills cause our dog chewed them up like you do when your in school "my dog ate my homework teacher!!!" But I dont think it wouldve worked. But if it did he would only chew up the big ones, we dont mind paying the small ones!!!

 

[Bar B]

To crate or not to crate???

Lets see, the carpet was ripped up from one end of the house to the other, the couch cushions were shredded to the point I could vacuum them up, the telephone was no longer useable, my sea salt for the salt water aquarrium was everywhere, oh!!! And did I mention the hole in the sheetrock that was nearly a 4 foot by 4 foot square...all the way through to the vinyl siding!!!

For the most part. I have some that I have to crate (due to destruction and to keep them safe from house cleaning supplies and house plants) and others are content to stay on the couch until I return.

Just when I thought I could trust Zeus, he helped himself to my computer room and tried to download some disks...

 

[VTbxrFan]

A crate is not a bad thing - it gives a dog a safe place to stay where he can't get into something that might hurt him. I agree that his previous owners where crating him entirely too often, but it's a very good solution when you aren't home. Check around in the paper or on E-bay and you might be able to pick up a used one a lot cheaper - just be sure to clean it well (with a disinfectant) if you get a used crate.

 

[Bar B]

I ordered two crates from Dr. Fostor and Smith pet catalog. I have also bought two at Wal-Mart that were more reasonably priced. Some feed stores also sell crates but the pet stores (IMO) are rediculously high. I paid nearly half for my crate from Wal-Mart than what the petstores sell them for.