What size crate?

[cheryln55]

Hi group! I finally found my boxer puppy yesterday! YIPEE! We are all so jazzed at our house. He is just gorgeous, very healthy looking, 8.5 weeks, brindle with white socks and chest, very pretty and I think he is big as he weighs 14 pounds! We named him Riley. His mom and dad were on the premises and the dad was big around 75 pounds and very pretty, mom was around 50 pounds. Anyway I am going to Pets Mart tonight and need to know what size crate/kennel I should buy for him? I plan on crate training him gradually, am not sure as to what age they need to stay in a crate and so am not sure what size to get? Last night I put him in a big furniture box we had and he slept pretty good, woke up 3 times and I took him out and he went potty outside, did not mess in his crate, GOOD BOY! Today I am trying feeding him in his crate with the door open all day and it is in my office where I work. He has some toys in there too, but he'd rather sleep at my feet at my office chair. Too cute, except he keeps getting in the way of my transcription pedal Also he shivers going outside, Arizona, and I thought I'd better crochet him a doggy sweater or something. Do you have to sweater your puppies usually?

Well gotta get back to work! Thanks for any info about crate sizes.
Cheryl (pictures as soon as I get batteries for my camera)

 

[littleone]

Hi Cheryl,

Welcome to BW & congrats on your new puppy! We've used Midwest crates, black epoxy finish wire. They're sturdy & easy to clean. We use the next to the largest size (42" x 32" x 28") for Dempsey (our 13 month old fawn), see the link below. I would suggest that you buy the size he'll need when he's grown. For now you can puppy size the crate by sectioniong off some of the crate to help Riley get used to not soiling his "den". We sectioned it off very inexpensively by using a large plastic rectangular basket (think milk crate), easy to get in/out or move and easy to clean if he pooped too close to it in the crate. The shivering could be he's cold, it could also mean he's a little scared since he's just recently arrived at your home.


Link: http://www.petsmart.com/global/prod...T<>prd_id=845524441775479&bmUID=1108751551786


Hope this helps, look forward to seeing your pix-
Penny

 

[MorganM]

I got my crate at petsmart. It came with a divider. I'd buy the size thats second to largest. Let us know how it goes, and welcome to BW

 

[cheryln55]

Thanks Penny!

 

[ETilley]

42" Crate...

I bought a 42" wire crate for Vegas and while some say it's a little too big for a puppy, I found she only had a few accidents the first couple of times she was left in there and nothing since. I lined it with a bumper pad and her own small pillow and cozy blanket. There isn't much room left there for her to do her business. For the first week or so though, I did put a puppy pad in the back just in case and when I found that she wasn't using it, I took it out. I like this size because I can put some of her toys in there and she has some room to move around.
Good luck with your new puppy!! They're a wild ride... ... but so awesome!!

 

[littleone]

You're welcome! As far as how long you'll need to use the crate, I'd say overall when you're not home, unable to supervise or need them out of your way for a time (i.e. housecleaning - mine seem to think the vacuum head is playing with them - they'll charge it & bite at it). Most dogs will need to be crated til about age 2 or so before you can trust their "house manners" when you're out. Physically, boxers achieve full height at about one year of age (chests/heads continue maturing for another year or so after age 1). But, mentally they need another year or two, before they can have free roam of the house when you're not around. I do make it point every other day or so to give them some crate time, so that they stay comfortable with the idea of crating when necessary.

Have fun tonight at Petsmart, try to avoid the temptation of buying Riley all the toys!

Penny

 

[cheryln55]

He he! Funny about the toys, in the back of my mind all day I kept thinking about what type of toys he needs. First he was chewing on my typing chair pillow, so I thought hmmm soft stuffed animals so I found some old ones my kids left behind when they grew up and moved out, next he found some horse hoof trimings out back (they are very hard not like cows or pigs ears) so Rosie(aussie 9 years old) kindly let us take a few in for Riley, so I figure lots of rawhid bones (those are okay for puppies?), then he tried tug-o-war so I found some old socks to tie together for him and will buy a tug toy too. But ALL day I have been shopping at Petsmart in my mind! Yikes! The puppy is the least expensive purchase!

Cheryl

 

[littleone]

You're very right, the puppy is the least expensive item in the mix. Besides toys, there are collars, leads, bowls, shampoos, brushes, etc. Our boys each have 2 collars as well as two leads apiece.

Personally, I'm not fond of the soft, squeaky or stuffed animal type toys, we've had some interesting experiences with these with our Mastiff where he destroyed them and I wasn't sure if he ate something he shouldn't of (oh the joys of poking through poop for 2-3 days!). I'm very sure rawhide is never a good idea for any age dog, I've read they can swallow pieces, it will swell in their bellies/guts and can cause an obstruction. IMHO your best bet are the hard rubber toys like Kongs, they satisfy the chewing urges of both our two very well. Pull toys can be good too, if you use the rope type, keep a close eye on Riley to be sure he dosen't chew off any of it. Treat balls can work well too. We also give them raw bones (never cooked) - depending on where you live they can be called soup bones or marrow bones. I can get beef soup bones for about .99/lb here, I'll buy a few packages, wrap each in foil, ziplock bag them and stick them in the freezer. When they get a bone, I'll take out what I need and just let them thaw some, partially frozen is OK to give - makes it last longer and works great on soothing a teething puppy's mouth. You can also take a clean tea towel, wet it, tie a few knots in it and freeze. Give it to the puppy while still frozen, works well with the teething discomfort and they have a good chew too.

Let us know how it goes,
Penny