Crate Question

[Tracy A]

Hello,

I'm getting a standard f1b goldendoodle that comes home friday and I'm not sure what to do about a crate. I want to crate train, so I know I should probably get a wire crate big enough for him to use when full grown (estimate of 60-65 lbs) with a divider for now, but I also need a way to take him with me in the car (I'm taking him to work with me).  Can anyone give me some advice on what size car carrier to get him while he's potty training?  Also, what size crate do you have for a full grown standard doodle? 42 inch, 48?

Thanks!  This is our first dog, and I'm nervous! :)

Tracy

[Minga & Malu & Costa]

That is the method I use also for jumping. Stand still as a statue and ignore them. That method is also in Sophia Yin's book! Works great. No puppy wants to play with a boring old statue!

[DeeDee and Sheila]

I like the wire crates for home use better than the plastic. They get hot when temp goes up. I just removed the fleece liner of Sheila's crate bc the underside was wet from Sheila's sweat! I lined it for summer w/ a folded bath towel. I have had four dogs now and have learned to use regular bath towels for extra beds, liners for car seats, areas for them to sit on when a "quiet" spot is needed when you are not at home. They are so portable that when we go to hotels, our dogs automatically thought just a towel put on floor or extra bed was their spot.
Congratulations on your new pup. I think you will love DK. I certainly have. Everyone is so smart and friendly and I have used so much of others' advice. Your new puppy is adorable and I like chocolate too. Mousse would be awesome for a name, I think.

[Tracy A]

You know, I just put together the wire crate I got (was not planning on using till he grew out of the plastic one) yesterday, and he likes it so much better! I kept reading that they prefer the plastic ones because they're more den like, but Mousse really seems to hate the plastic one during the day. When I put him in the wire one, he didn't seem to mind at all. I guess I will sell the plastic one on craigslist or something...oh well. I put a towel in the wire crate, but he really seems to prefer the hard floor to lay on. Every time I come home, he's pushed the towel to the front and is laying in the back. I guess he's just not a snuggly bed kinda guy.

[shelly]

Yes! They do (most of them seem to any way) prefer the tray. If he pushes the towel away, take it out... eventually he may shred, tear it and chew and swallow pieces - (and that would be a whole other post)