9 weeks old puppy and Large Crate, what to put in the Crate?

rdyeung · New member Joined: 01 May 2004 Posts: 13

Hi,

I am writing from Down Under in Perth, I am about to bring my 9 week Ridgeback puppy home and I just bought a crate for her which will fit her when she is fully grown.

I want to get your advice for 2 things:

1. Do I put some old rag in the crate for her to sleep on? I read that it is not advisable since she might chew or pee on the rag...if so, the bottom of the crate is made of hard plastic, will it be to hard for her to slep on?

2. Because the crate is large, what could I put into the crate so that it is just right for a puppy. I read that the crate should not be too big since this might encourage her to sleep and pee in the crate.

Have you guys had any trouble training a puppy to use a crate?

Thanks for your advice,

Rob

charmedagain · Moderator Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 2247 Location: uk

Hi congratulations on your new puppy.

I am against crates but thats just my opinion.

I would place a blanket or sheets in the crate so she has something soft to sleep on.

The crate should not be too large for her as this will encourage her to go toilet in her crate aswell.

Her favourite toys and things will her feel comftable in her crate too.
When your home and able to keep an eye on her leaving the crate door open will show that her crate is a safe place to goto and not a bad place.

If she has accidents in the house i would not put her in the crate as punishment as she will associate with doing wrong to being locked up.

Good luck with your new addition and hope she gives you many years of fun and laughter.

PS great choice ridgebacks are beautiful and sweet dogs.

mike

moose · Posted: Sat May 08, 2004 10:17 pm Post subject:

i agree with everything charmed said, though i don't believe crate training is a bad thing at all. on the contrary it gives the pup a nice secure place to be when you are not around or even if he's just looking for a place to get away from things.

getting your dog used to the crate is also beneficial when you need to travel or in emergency situations where you need your dog contained but you cannot be there.

be sure to properly introduce your puppy to the crate and not to associate it with anything negative (as charmedagain was saying).

i have a bath mat in my dog's crate for him to lie on, and i will throw one or two of his favorite toys in with him.

rdyeung · New member Joined: 01 May 2004 Posts: 13

Hi

I bought an extra Large metal collapsable crate for my Ridgeback from petmate. How could I block it off for my puppy?

Thank you again

Regards,

Rob

loonyluna · Member Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 24

I put a large box in the back of the crate to make it smaller for Luna. I put a couple of little holes in the box and tied it to the crate frame so that she couldn't tip it over move it around.

Jamiya · Moderator Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 5593

You can use a box to block off part of the crate, or you can purchase a wire partition made for that purpose. Read everything you can about crate training and how to introduce your pup to the crate before you get him home.

Jamiya