Dog Community

Sharing a crate

Posted : 12/18/2006 8:44:31 PM

Our dogs each have a small crate to retreat to in their pen in the kitchen. Winnie hardly ever, if ever, uses it. She pulls the blanket out and sleeps on the floor. Petey uses his pretty often.

But, with it getting much colder around here, I noticed that they've both been in one crate when I go in to get them for their morning constitutional. It's a rather small crate, so they're a little squished up (though very cute), but they certainly stay warmer. Is it okay for them to be doing that? Should I be concerned that it's too cold in my house at night? Should I get rid of or move the other crate, or still leave it as a separate retreat?

cyclefiend2000

Posted : 12/18/2006 10:16:57 PM

my brother's dogs like sharing a crate too. he has a fairly big dog (shepherd mix and a smaller dog not sure what it is). he only has one crate set up, but they have been sharing the crate for quite some time.

personally, i would leave the other crate setup. at least for a little while. they may get tired of sharing.

Michelle

Posted : 12/18/2006 10:19:52 PM

Well, we can't make any recommendations without a picture if it's really cute[

]! I agree with cyclefiend, I'd leave the other crate set up.

Terri

Posted : 12/19/2006 11:38:17 AM

We've been having crate dilemnas lately too. Odin's crate is a little smaller than Loki's, because Odin is a little smaller. Loki cannot comfortably stand up in Odin's crate (it used to be his crate before we realized he was the biggest Elkhound ever and needed a larger one). But Odin loves Loki's crate. So sometimes they go and curl up together in the big crate.

The other day, I had a great idea. I got a chain bike lock and connected the two crates together. So now the dogs have a "two room suite". They can move freely between the crates, so they can lay together or have their own space. It's really cute. [

]

tashakota

Posted : 12/19/2006 1:58:14 PM

I second the request for pictures!

I would say as long as your not locking both dogs IN the crates for long periods of time, it's totally fine if they share. Tasha has a big crate for her and Kota has a much smaller crate for him, but she likes to curl into a ball in HIS crate because it's warmer that way for her. lol.. As long as you are not the one forcing them into it, I say let them do what they want.

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Posted : 12/19/2006 2:48:17 PM

The only reason I suggest keeping the second crate up is in the event that one of them may be injured and needs thier own space.