Are two crates better then one ?

[Denise & Sophie]

We are now looking for crates for our soon to be born puppy. I know we need the large crate for home and even tho they collapse for travel are we better off also buying a hard plastic one for travel. We go to WV (4hrs) away quite often. I was thinking to put one in our bedroom and the other in dining room so she would get use to both before our first trip which would be 3 weeks after bringing her home. Puppys due date is June 25. Maybe I am jumping ahead too quick. I just like to be prepared. Thanks, for any advice.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

We use a harness that attaches to the seat belt in the car.  However, not sure how big your puppy will be on your first trip.  Not sure how small those harnesses come (although I'm guessing pretty small).  I like these better than a crate in the car.  However, that is personal choice.  Also depends on what type crate you have, and if you will need a crate at your destination.  Just be sure if you use a crate in the car, that you also secure that crate with tie down straps as you don't want it to become a projectile in an accident and injury you and or the puppy.

[Adina P]

It is nice to have two.  If you have space for both...get one of each.  Our largest crate does NOT fit into the trunk of my car.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I had two crates. One for in the bedroom and one for in the living room, where we spend a lot of time. I think it is a good idea. Our dogs were going to be big, so moving one large crate was not feasible.

[Lindsey]

We used to only have the large plastic one, it was a PAIN to take when we traveled. We would actually take it apart (break it down into the two halves) and put it in the bed of the truck. Then our dog would just sit in the back seat. We just recently got a KONG metal crate, that is easy to collapse flat and has handles so that it can be carried a tad easier. That one is actually way more easier to travel with, we collapse it, and can stack whatever we need to on it while we travel. Then once we get to our destination, it pops right back up with little effort...much less effort than putting the two halves of the plastic one back together. However, if you were thinking about keeping the plastic crate together and actually keeping your dog in it while you traveled, that would be nice. Our doodle is huge-therefore her crate is huge- and couldn't sit inside a crate in the car. However, our little guy does have a plastic crate and he does just sit in it while we travel-because that crate is tiny and we don't have to take it apart.

[GBK]

Great idea to have two.  That way they get your home and their own smell on both of them.  It will make your pup feel more comfortable whichever crate you take.

 

[Connie & Bocelli]

I have 3 crates (LOL)!  I have a metal one in the living room, another metal one up in my bedroom and a hard plastic one for travel.  Oh course I don't even have my puppy yet but no one can say I'm not prepared!!  I also bought a harness for the car for when Bo is a little bigger.

[Denise & Sophie]

Thanks for all your replies. My DH thinks I am jumping ahead of myself because the litter Isn't here yet, but all I do is think about everything we need to buy..lol.. knowing we are getting a puppy has helped take away some of the emptiness from losing Sadie and Pokey last year. I know I can't replace them and will always miss them.

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Buy it now a little at a time...sticker shock is what I had...I saved all the receipts for the first year and still am afraid to add them all up!

[Judi, David & Maddie Irishdoodle]

We had 2 - one in the bedroom right beside the bed and one in the laundry room. Maddie (16 months) still uses the collapsible wire one in the laundry room when we go out and she also goes in it on her own when she wants her privacy.

We no longer use a crate in the bedroom because she sleeps on a big doggie pillow in our room or on the floor.

[Kate C Pappas]

I have two girls and they each have a wire crate (General Crates). One is in the guest room and the other in the dining room. For travel, I keep a HUGE soft crate in my SUV and they both fit in that one. It folds flat and is lightweight so when I'm by myself, I can handle it. 

http://www.cherrybrook.com/index.cfm/a/catalog.prodshow/vid/421147/...

And you are not jumping ahead! Good for you that you're planning so well. Even though it's expensive, don't get too big a crate, or get a divider. If the crate is too big, the puppy can poop on one side then go sleep on the other. She should only have enough room to stand, turn around and lie down. If with the divider it's still too big, you can put something in there to cut down on the amount of room. I used my big tool box for example.

 

IMHO, the problem with the VariKennel hard crates is that they take up a lot of room. My dogs don't travel in the crate either. They wear Champion K9 harnesses in the car.

[Sami Lee]

One is all you need. Just get the hard plastic one and take it with you, it will help your pooch in his new environment, it will be his little "home away from home", and as he gets older, then you can take two for your convenience after he gets used to the travel

[Denise & Sophie]

Thanks for all your help. Along with the wire crate I think I am going to see what size of plastic crate will fit in the back of my azteck. The plastic crate will travel with us for her bed. I think the harness may be best for traveling. But since she will be around 2 months old should I have a soft bed or pillow to sit her on so she can see out the window? I will admit I am not thrilled about taking a 4 hr trip so soon after getting her but we have a family wedding to attend.