Exercise Pen and Crate size recommendations for standard golden doodle

[Stephanie and Chloe]

Hi fellow doodle lovers!

I just got my Chloe 5 days ago and am trying to sort out the best options for her while I'm at work.  I've been crating her but since she's only 8 weeks old, I don't like to leave her for more than a few hours.  I'm also having a bit of trouble keeping an eye on her when I am home and she is out of the crate.

She is a standard poodle who is 8 pounds now but will probably grow to 55-70 pounds.  Her mom (poodle) is 50 pounds and her dad (golden retriever) is 90 pounds.  Does anyone have a recommendation for an indoor exercise pen that she can still use when she gets a bit bigger?  

I would also love to hear any recommendations for a crate.  She's using a small dog crate now and I will need to get a bigger one within the next month or two.  What size do you think is best and what specific brands?  I've read a 42”x 28”W x 31” or 36" x 24"W x 27" are suggested.  But 

Thanks in advance for your help!

Stephanie

[F, Calla & Luca]

If you are gone al day you will need someone to let your dog out at least once until she is older. An eight week old puppy will have trouble holding her urine all day. As to an eventual crate, I would go for the larger one.

[Stephanie and Chloe]

As I mentioned in my post, I am only leaving her for a few hours when I'm at work.  I come home at lunch every day.  I'm not looking for a solution for leaving her all day by herself.  I'm looking for a safe place for her to play when I am home.  Sorry if that wasn't clear in the post.  

[F, Calla & Luca]

Oh Ok. Some folks have put an x-pen around an open crate. She can move a bit and still have her crate to rest in. I have always crated my dogs when I'm not home. I just feel safer that way. But I am home a lot : )

[Stephanie and Ragley]

I would go with the 42" crate. I don't think you'll ever regret having a little extra space for her and the crates from MidWest come with a divider so you can have the crate "grow" with her as she ages. They are currently on sale on chewy.com for a VERY reasonable price!

http://www.chewy.com/s?dept=all&query=midwest+double+door&n...

Just a note- she most likely will be more on the 55 lbs side of your estimate. My puppy, Ragley, was 10.5 lbs at 8 weeks and she is now about 50 lbs at almost 9 months. 

[Stephanie and Chloe]

Thank you for the recommendation and link, Stephanie!  I'm definitely buying the 42" one.  Yes, I think more on the 55 pounds side.  I'm so excited to watch her grow.  :)

[Deborah Brown]

I recommend the 42" crate.  She can probably fit in the 36" one but maybe not stretch out at full size.  Usually the big ones come with a divider so that you can section off a small portion while she is still young.  The divider can be moved as she grows.  I don't think there is much difference in brands but some come with a door both on the side and the end and this might give you more options for placement.

[Stephanie and Chloe]

Thanks so much for the recommendation, Deborah!  I want to make sure she's comfortable and can stretch out since I will be using the crate for most of her naps.  I think I will go with the 42"

[Julie, Eloise & Beasley]

Congrats on your puppy!  I recommend the 42" crate, too.  I started Eloise in a 36" crate but once she was "full size" yet still a puppy, and I was crating her all day while I'm at work, I felt better about having the extra room for her with the 42".  Once she earned free roam of the house when I'm gone, I took down the large one and brought out the 36" again (just in case she needs it, but she rarely ever goes in).  She can't really stand up all the way in the 36" - she kind of has to duck her head!  She's a medium doodle, but probably on the cusp of standard size, and she's pretty tall. 

I also have the Midwest double-door crates and they've worked out fine. 

[Dave and Cuba]

I also recommend the 42 inch crate. My Cuba is 70 pounds and it is just right for him.

As far as keeping an eye on her while you are at home, I'm a new believer in tethering. It was amazing how fast Cuba was potty trained and he has never chewed on anything in the house. I believe it was a result of the tethering routine.

[Stephanie and Chloe]

Thanks for the tethering suggestion, Dave.  I have tried to do this but right now she just wants to chew on and play tug of war with her leash.  

[Stephanie and Chloe]

I was worried about her being able to stand up in the 36" one.  Wouldn't it be nice if there was one in between?  Thank you for your help!