Thing 1 & Thing 2

[2SCdoodles]

I came home yesterday and felt like the kids in the Dr. Seuss book who were visited by Thing 1 and Thing 2. My basket of books had been devoured by two rambunctious doodles. Just the basket- thank goodness, not the books!

It appeared to me a few weeks ago that these doodles had really out grown their crate. The crates are supposed to hold a dog up to 70 pounds, and can accommodate the Labrador breed. The problem with my doodles is that while they weigh just 35 pounds each, they have long, really long legs.

Feeling guilty that their heads touched the top of the crate, I left them in a portion of the house behind a gate. My husband works just a few blocks from home and is able to come home during lunch and let them out to play until the kids get home from school.

What a horrible mess they made! I have no one to blame but myself!

[Kelli, Fenway, & Dustin Pedroia]

We use a baby gate now for that exact same reason. Fenway was only about 6 months old when I just felt like she was too big for a crate that was supposed to hold a 70lb dog! Just like you said it is those long legs. As long as she's laying down she is fine, but if she stands or even sits her head touches the top and her little curls on top of her head poke out between the wire. Since Fenway has been in her "area" as we call it so she will trot on in there (yes if we say go to your area she just trots up to the door and waits to be let inside). She seems happy enough and there is more space. Although she could easily hop right over the baby gate she never has (knocking on wood!). She has chewed the molding around one of our door frames but that was my fault because she had finished with her bone and I had not replaced it with a new tasty one for the day and her other toys just wouldn't suffice I guess! These doodles what are you going to do with them!

[Paula]

Much to my surprise Rocky had actualy CLIMBED OVER the baby gate. He was only 13 weeks old at the time. Dandy also have those extremely long Poodle legs. But i think that they're lovely; make them look elegant and graceful even when they're not moving. So what the heck... we'll build higher gates i guwss.
Paula

[Jojo]

awwwww... the poodle legs. Our dogs love to destroy things

[Brenda Hetzel]

gorgeous poodle legs! Long and acrobatic!Since they weren't in their crate they probably were acting out of boredom or separation anxiety. Good thing about it, is the basket can be replaced. I'd make sure they have their toys laying around also in the area where you confine them:)