Crate question

[Deb]

We are on the list for a puppy that is now 2 weeks old.Will probably get him at 9 weeks. I bought a 36" Midwest Lifestages metal crate as recommended by the breeder. Now I need something to use as a smaller crate and also for the trip home from the breeder.(A 3 hr drive). Any suggestions? The pup will be traveling home in an Explorer.I drive a Nissan Altima. Wish I had bought an SUV instead but the purchase was before the puppy decision! lol

[Kathie Mau]

Deb...how exciting!  We have a 5 month old multigen labradoodle and life is GRAND!  We too bought the same crate as recommended....it has worked out fine.  For the 4 hour ride home, I chose to hold my new baby....she and I both loved that.  My husband drove and it worked out best.  We borrowed a smaller crate from a friend since we felt we wanted to leave one in the SUV and one in the house for sleeping, rests, etc.  Of course, she outgrew this in a couple of months and I opted then to buy a less expensive one for the SUV...both have worked out just fine.  The lifestages crate allowed us to section a smaller area in the beginning, but we quite using the section about 3 weeks ago...she has grown quickly.  It is best to travel in a crate, I think it is much safer for the babies.  But that ride home, I just HAD to keep her in my arms.....we bonded!  Hope this helps, but I am sure you will do the best thing.....LOVE is the most important thing I can suggest......it cures all!  I would be cautious about getting a small crate for the car, unless your baby is going to be a small dog.  It will just have to be something the pup can grow into until you are ready to have it travel without the crate...they do make sectional dividers that will keep your pup in the back while traveling, to protect you both.

Kathie and Meco in Oriental, NC

[Joan Bollaert]

A small (depending on size of puppy) inexpensive crate w handle just big enough to transport home and to initial visit to vet. I say inexpensive because they will outgrow it very soon. After that , if it's a doodle, he/she will be hopping in and out of your car for car rides on thir own as a crate will be too heavy to carry. Unless you plan on keeping a large crate permanently in your car for all car trips. I don't. I have two doodles and they hop in the back seat. I know it's probably not the safest thing to do but I sat with my puppy on my lap on our 3 hr ride home and she slept. Now they are 35 and 30 lbs and never in crates in the car.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

We bought a crate for our car when we got Ned, but he wasn't happy in it so basically I held him or he slept on a towel on the floor behind my seat.  He still loves the floor behind my seat!  I made sure to fasten his leash onto him before opening any car doors when we stopped for potty breaks and when we got home.

[Pam Thomas]

That is what my breeder suggested, a 36 in. lifestage with 2 doors, I have it, same thing-looking for a small one for bedroom.

I thought about putting one of the large round pens in an extra bedroom for when I work-more room-or is just the crate ok? I plan on having someone come in mid day to walk and play. I have already bought 2 large boxes of toys, bully stick, antlers,blanket. Xtra bedroom looks like a pet store and I have probably 6 weeks to wait. 

[Melissa Bissell]

Hello-

Congrats Deb! I also have the same questions as Deb.  We will bring our 8 week doodle pup home in 2.5 weeks!  Also trying to find the best way to transport puppy for trips around town.  Does anyone have experience with the soft crates for the car?  What size crate is recommended.  Our pup will be 40-50 pounds when full-grown.  It sounds like it might be best to just get a crate that fits for the first few months?  I'm not even sure what that size would be.