Crate training vs Gating the kitchen and if crate...what type? Metal? Plastic? etc

[Elizabeth F]

I cant decide if I am better of crate taining my puppy or gating her in the kitchen?  Also, if I do go for a crate?  Are there certain types that are nicer and comfier?  The metal ones don't look very homey =(   I do know that crates with deviders are good.  not sure what size though.  She will be up to 30lb

I did find this one below which got GREAT reviews but not sure if I am better off getting a different one or just getting a gate for the kitchen

http://www.amazon.com/Midwest-Stages-Double-Door-Folding-Inches/dp/...

[Tracey & Spike]

I've been pondering the same thing as well. We are picking up Spike on Saturday. We were just going to gate the kitchen. We are getting a comfy bed for him. But weren't going to do the crate thing. But with everything I've been reading I'm second guessing it.

[Bonnie and Kona]

I have crated puppies for years and years. The one you posted is what we used for our two doodles. It is my opinion that they enjoy having a safe spot that they can rest where no one is in their personal area. It is an excellent tool for potty training too because they do not want to potty in their bed area. Your kitchen will allow your pup enough room to potty on one side and sleep on the other (not ideal in my thinking). The other issue with a stuffed bed is that our Owen (trouble is his middle name) would chew up or potty on the soft material. He didn't even want a towel in his crate. He prefers sleeping on tile floors or on the plastic floor of the crate with no padding at all. We started both doodles with pads or towels in their crate, and they let us know early on that the flat floor was preferable. I covered the wire crate with a quilt on three sides to make it a cozy hiding place. My doodles are 65 and 90 pounds so I don't know what size you need. sorry.

[Sheryl & Safiy]

I have found the crate to be perfect for our Doodle. He likes it and he also sleeps on a basically smooth surface either the floor or the slightly padded dog blanket he has in his crate. He loves his blanket. It barely has any padding. I got the largest crate I could find and partitioned it as he grew. I padded the partition and it is still at the very back of the crate- which helps create a private space for him. The crate is covered on the outside with the blanket that he brought with him from the breeders which has (or it initially had) the scent of his mother and siblings on it. It's like his own. "Dog" cave. I've read that some of the doodles here don't like the crate and some do. But it makes for a much easier time with potty training! Good luck and have fun with your puppy !

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

I would agree with all of Bonnie's advice. A crate gives a nice cozy, feel safe area for your pup to snooze and not be bothered with all the household happenings.
I would hold off on giving the bed...many new puppy owners invest in nice comfy beds, not to come home and find them in ripped to shreds. Our girl to, preferred the cool bottom of the crate..I'd put a kennel pad or towel in her crate, only to come home and find it all pushed to one side. The pup will let you know pretty quickly.
Just a preference, but we always preferred a plastic crate...we use the Vari-Kennel. My girl is/will be larger ,so not sure what size you would need. It should be large enough for the pup to stand and turn around comfortably.
My guys have always used their crates into their adult years. My 13 yr old Golden that just passed, loved his crate and would snooze in all the time. We took the door off long ago for him.
My point, a crate is a good investment, that will be used long after your pup is full grown.

[Missy]

I am first time dog owner, so I only have my own experience here. I chose to do the crate training. And I purchased the Midwest two door one you featured.

While it doesn't look too comfortable for you, I think it provided a safe area for the puppy. I put towels and blankets in there to cushion the bottom. The polyester foam pads were too hot for him and so I try to use cotton quilts and towels. We started with a small crate and as our pup grew (he is over 30 pounds now at 10 months) we had to purchase a larger one (42x28x31).

We noticed that our pup likes to sleep sprawled out, and when he goes into that deep sleep, he is stretched out on his back, which is why we purchased this large size.  we have two houses and the smaller crate is at the smaller house, and we have started leaving him out of his crate at night time since there isn't room for him to stretch and it is funny that I find him stretched out up next to his crate the next morning. We also take the smaller crate when we travel and he really likes having a place to go to when he wants some nap time.

Probably every pup gets used to whatever you decide. It is your world and they are learning your world. But I have had great success with the crate and I am glad I chose to do the crate training.

best of luck and be sure to get pictures every day-as these pups grow VERY fast!! enjoy.

[Debbie Daniels]

I'm so new to owning a puppy that I feel sorry for Miss Beasley sometimes . I did crate train her and I'm so thankful for that, it's safe for her and that's my # 1 concern.  I have a blog on my page as to how I went about getting her to like her crate.  She now loves her crate and why wouldn't she, not one bad thing has ever happen to her inside, also it's way easier to potty train with the crate. Good Luck and enjoy that cute doodle ! 

[Emily, Jace, & Maggie Devers]

Crate training has been a life saver for me. I'm not home 24/7 and my doodles love their crates now. They go in there when they're sleepy and jace goes in his when he's overwhelmed. It's also a great place to out them when you have company or they're just a little too rowdy, it brings my guys back down to earth. At first I always felt sooooo guilty but now I know it was worth it. I put maggie in a x-pen Maggie when I was home when she was teeny tiny because she weighed 7 lbs and jace weighed 70 and they hadn't got used to one another yet. I just use it now as a gate if I want to keep them both contained somewhere (it's a wire multipurpose thing) I also recommend the wire crate. They grow with the dogs if you get a divider and they're easier to clean if you ever have an accident...(fingers crossed you don't) I sewed cute crate covers for both jace and Maggie because they like them covered up while they're in there and the quilts got a little unsightly!:)