On crates...

[Dianne Carter ~ Trinity Doodles]

On Sunday we had a visit with a delightful family who is torn between two of our girls. It is funny you know, I always tell people when they visit us in person to be prepared because often the doodle they came looking for may not be the doodle that 'chooses' them. Sorry got sidetracked. When asked about crate size I recommended the midwest life stages 36 inch deep crate with divider. So here is my question, Joy fits very well in this crate to this day ~ what size crate did you obtain for your doodle? Are they able to still use that size? Do they still use it and with what frequency?

Joy was sprung from her crate to share Jennifer's bed at night because she does not have potty accidents BUT she has a few chewing issues of late to include mangling stuffed animals and even some drywall on the side of Jenn's bed (yuk!) ~ though I have to share with you NOTHING compares with her favorite obsession ~ cottonelle, she especially likes to embark on this fav on Sunday mornings. I am telling you I am going to write in and suggest toilet paper treats! Okay, got off topic but I am sure you will not mind hearing of the antics of your doodle babies big sis. BTW, when born before named Joy, she was chunky monkey, she has advanced these days to sock monkey ( a close second to cottonelle).

[27cir57x69mpb]

Kodi's crate is 36Lx24Wx27H. He still goes in when we leave him for long stretches but he stopped sleeping in there after 2 weeks or so. He just couldn't stand to be all alone in the kitchen while we were snug in our beds. He is still my shadow so I am (and have always been) confident that he would stay by my side all night. He really has turned into the sweetest, mellowest, most gentle and lovable pup. Although he STILL jumps all over me after any stretch of time away, he is wonderful with all visitors (the younger the better.) We all just love him.

FYI,Kodi isn't terribly destructive but he has expensive taste. He ate Amanda's beloved Ugg boots (which were impossible to find and long-awaited) just 36 hours after they arrived. It was quite a drama. But a lesson learned for my 3 girls. I have been after them to put away and shut their bedroom doors.

[Susan, Zeke. Lily & Jasper]

Zeke & Lily have matching Remington (large 27hx21wx36l) plastic crates. These are used only when we are working or have to leave them alone. They can't be trusted home alone roaming free even for a short time. Just this morning while I was getting ready for work, when I got out of the shower, I found Lily with a AA battery from the remote control in her mouth. The other battery could not be located. I had to be at work at 7, so I crated them as usual. As soon as possible I contacted the emergency vet in our area to consult as to what course of action to take and they recommended to induce vomitting but to bring her or him in to do this.(I was not at all sure who the culprit was) By this time my vet was soon to open, so I called them to see what they said. They wanted to x-ray both dogs. We did this and no battery was found! I said all this to let you know that we will be using the crate every time I can't have them in my sights! P.S. They do wonderfully roaming free in our bedroom at night and don't seem to mind being crated during the day. Oh, and the missing battery was found in the cushion of Zeke's chair. (hmm)

[Dianne Carter ~ Trinity Doodles]

Oh poor you ~ I know how distressing this can be. Are you familiar with the best procedure for inducing vomiting yourself? The day Zeke came home to you Malachi got into several boxed of Little Debbie Treats, chocolate no less ~ grrrr! You use hydrogen peroxide, I do not want to duplicate posts but think I will start a post on at home first aid when I get home. I am so glad everyone is okay!

[Nancy & Bisbee]

Well as you know we purchased the 36 in deep crate which now lives folded up under the bed. Bisbee has been sprung from the crate for quite awhile now. The kitchen is his crate when we leave and has worked out just fine (but must make a counter check before leaving). One day we hope he can have the run of the house.... we'll see (not any time soon!) At night he starts to sleep on the bed and when he wants to "sleep" he jumps off and sleeps in the shower! He is learning "settle" (when we need a rest from tossing balls, etc) which will be a mat....hopefully. He also seems to be going through a sneaky stage...if he is out of sight and very quiet for a few minutes ... a dash goes by.....he is sure to have a sock, brush, shoe, water bottle or anything that is not his or a toy! Kinda funny tough (the tp escapades have stopped! yea!).

ps..Susan, the other night I was fixing one of the gates and one screw came up missing....first thing I thought of was busy-bee must have taken it when I wasn't looking....I tore the place apart, about turned him upside down .... he is looking at me like .... what the..... anyway, it had slipped into the bottom metal structure. Sooooo scary ....
and Erica, I now have a pair of "inside" boat shoes.... the back of one shoe is now open-air! :o)

[Susan, Zeke. Lily & Jasper]

Hi Nancy, Zeke seems to be going through that sneeky stage too. I thought maybe he was just keeping things away from Lily, but maybe it's a developmental thing. He's snatching things that he never used to be interested in. Oh, and I'm so glad you didn't end up with x-rays! Never a dull moment with doodles!