Crate question...

[Laura & Chewie]

When we got Chewie at 8 weeks old and 7 lbs, I bought a 30" crate and used the divider. The box stated this size crate would be good for a dog up to 40 lbs. Chewie is 6 months this week and 22 lbs. He obviously still fits in his crate (divider removed long ago), but it doesn't look overly roomy to me.

Question: Once they were trained, did you get your doodle a larger crate (larger than necessary) so they might be more comfortable?

[Julie B.]

It depends on how you use the crate... if you work and Chewie spends a good deal of time in it then I would definitely get a bigger one. I crate train all of my pups but since I am a stay at home gal I quit using the crate around 6 months or whenever they can be trusted to be out on their own. I think the main reason to up size is if they can't seem to stand up fully in it. It looks uncomfortable to have to hold your head down to fit in the crate... Sometimes you can find good deals on crates in Craig's list... Have a great day!

[Karen & Lucy]

I didn't get a bigger crate for Lucy until she was touching the top when she stood up. She could stand up turn and lay down. She stayed in her crate until I could trust her out of it. Can not remember the exact age she was, but all dogs are different. Some can never be out of their crate when left alone. I took it slow with her, an hour at a time.

[Sally]

Duncan never liked his crate. he got so anxious in it. He would also give me that sad face as he tried to stand up and his head was hitting the top. As one of my last ditch efforts to get him to relax in the crate I got him a HUGE one that has a garage door style opening so when we were home i would keep the door up and he'd go in it looking for toys/treats etc. I thought maybe having more room to stretch out when i wasn't home would allow him to be calmer. NOT! He couldn't care less about the extra space. So I eventually just baby gated him in to the living room area and he seems better. Not 100% but definitely better. If your pup enjoys/relaxes/plays well in the crate and is potty trained then I would definitely suggest getting a bigger one.
But if he's not a fan, i can guarantee it's not just that he can't stand up straight. lol.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Hmmm...Peri uses a 30 inch crate and is 20 pounds. She can walk in and her head is probably within an inch from the top, but I think she likes it. If she stretches totally out, she is the length of it. However, most of the time, she is curled up at the back (and their is about 1/2 the space in the front leftover). My dogs have always seemed to like a smaller crate. Keeps them more secure. I think it is really personal preference. Does Chewie seem happy or at all uncomfortable? Peri just loves her crate - plays in it, sneaks back to rest in it, etc...

[Laura & Chewie]

No, he does not seem unhappy although he is definitely not one of the dogs who just loves his crate and goes in on his own during the day. He will go in at night on his own when he is really tired. The only other time we use it is when I have to leave to do errands, etc. It is rare he is in it more than 2 hours or so and the very longest ever during the day has been 3 hours. At night he's good for 9 - 10 hours. It just seems he can't "sprawl" out the same way he does when he sleeps out of the crate. I really don't want to get a bigger one if not necessary (for space reasons...it's in my bedroom) and also because I don't anticipate him being in there forever. In fact, that's a whole other discussion...maybe I'll start that one now. LOL. I just want to be sure he's comfortable!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

If you don't have a problem, I wouldn't worry about it. I am same as you...don't anticipate using it forever, but for now it works well. Peri won't sleep on her bed at night - she chooses her crate. It is weird to me. But I should not complain I guess!

[Gina and Finn]

just replied to your other crate question before I read this one. I did buy a second bigger crate and felt like a dummie for noy buying the 42" in the first place. The 36" said up to 70 lbs but they must mean shorter stockier dogs. Should have gone by breed and not weight. I think he feels much better in the new one as it is BIG but he loves his crate at night and if we ever take him on vacation it would be great to keep that going. So now have to try and get rid of the 36"crate......