Crates

[Mark and Stephanie Plotkin]

I have a crate that does not have a divider.  Does anyone have a suggestion of what I can use as a divider?  I was also wondering if it is better to keep the crate in a well-lit room during the day when the puppy is alone, or in a darker room?

[Adina P]

Perhaps a Rubbermaid container? It would have to be big enough to block puppy from the other side. Having a divider is ideal to keep puppy's area small enough to discourage soiling, but depending on the pup he might do fine with the whole length of the crate.

[Mark and Stephanie Plotkin]

Thank you. Someone also mentioned using old pots because they would be metal and the puppy could not bite it. It just sounded unusual to me.

[Carol and Banjo]

In the past I had used a heavy duty plastic milk crate.

[cheryl & oliver]

I know that the pet stores near us do sell the dividers for the crates, and I don't think they are too expensive. Or even check e-bay or one of the other pet sites on line....I worry about a pot or container, can't they just move it, or can it end up on top of them? Prob. not, but I am such a worry wort.....

[Camilla and Darwin]

We just covered empty cardboard boxes in a big blanket and stuck it in the back. I guess that isn't a very durable option, but it was easy to rotate out, change the amount of space, etc. We used empty boxes because I was afraid that anything heavy, like a filled box or pot, he could pull onto himself.

[Denise & Hunter!!!]

What about the lid to a large Rubbermaid like container? You could slide it through the slats of the crate and it would be easy to move.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

My dogs are so spoiled. When they are alone during the day or at night, I always leave a light on, the TV on, and a fan blowing to mute outside noises. This is in addition, to a peanut butter kong. I should probably pipe in music for their listening pleasure :) Right now, I use a plastic lid to block the doorway to the cat and it has worked, so far. If your dog is a chewer, though, maybe he would chew the lid. I don't think we ever even used a divider for Vern. Good luck.