portable crate suggestions

• 06-17-2008 3:04 PM

  the_gopher Joined on 08-02-2006 New Hampshire Posts 866 Points 0

  portable crate suggestions Reply Contact My boss has given me the green to bring Ari to work with me (actually is begging me to lol).  She needs to be crated though or she'll chew everything in site.  Her crate at home is far too big and cumbersome (and was not designed to be easily broken down and put back up).  Ari is about 20lbs now and growing so I would like it to have some "wiggle" room for future growth - though not necessarily big enough for a full grown flat coated retriever.   I was looking at soft sided Petmate Portable dog home but did not know if they were any good.  Also, our finances are being taken into consideration, I don't mind shelling out some money but I would love to be able to keep this around $100.  I'd like to introduce Ari to coming to work with me, because during my SO busy times of the year he will not be able to get home to let her out.  We discussed getting a dog walker, but I'd also like to make her coming to work with me an option as well.  Thoughts?     ~Sharon Proudly owned by Ari a 5 month old flat-coated retriever!

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• 06-17-2008 3:34 PM

  In reply to the_gopher

  Liesje Joined on 03-02-2007 Grand Rapids, Michigan Posts 6,785 Points 850

  Re: portable crate suggestions Reply Contact I'd not get a soft crate.  Even dogs that are good in crates have been known to destroy these, simply b/c they can. Kenya's crate is a "suitcase" crate (Precision Pet Suitcase Crate) - very easy to fold up/down.  For riding in the car, I slide it in flat, then sit on the seat next to it and fold it out.  I can do it by myself (a crate won't fit through the door already setup).  It's a wire crate with a plastic bottom, very sturdy gauge.  I think I paid $80 on Amazon and hers is a 36" (she's a German Shepherd, Coke is larger than her and he also fits in it).  My Blog - http://24ft.dutchbingo.net My Site - http://liesrosema.com

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• 06-17-2008 3:41 PM

  In reply to Liesje

  the_gopher Joined on 08-02-2006 New Hampshire Posts 866 Points 0

  Re: portable crate suggestions Reply Contact Liesje: I'd not get a soft crate.  Even dogs that are good in crates have been known to destroy these, simply b/c they can. Kenya's crate is a "suitcase" crate (Precision Pet Suitcase Crate) - very easy to fold up/down.  For riding in the car, I slide it in flat, then sit on the seat next to it and fold it out.  I can do it by myself (a crate won't fit through the door already setup).  It's a wire crate with a plastic bottom, very sturdy gauge.  I think I paid $80 on Amazon and hers is a 36" (she's a German Shepherd, Coke is larger than her and he also fits in it).    Thank you for that suggestion!  I was hesitant about the soft sided for that very reason, chewing.  I like that you can do this yourself, which is a key requirement for me, I don't want to be fumbling around with something that is cumbersome to use.  I like that price too!    ~Sharon Proudly owned by Ari a 5 month old flat-coated retriever!

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• 06-17-2008 3:47 PM

  In reply to the_gopher

  Liesje Joined on 03-02-2007 Grand Rapids, Michigan Posts 6,785 Points 850

  Re: portable crate suggestions Reply Contact The suitcase crate is different from other "portable"crates b/c it folds inward.  For example, Coke has a "portable" crate that folds flat, BUT that requires swinging sides out or down which means you actually need TWICE as much room to work with just to fold the crate.  The suitcase crate folds in along the sides.  You unhook and push in the back side and the door, then the sides collapse down.  To put it up, you pull the top up, then pull the back side and door up into place and hook them.  It's a little tricky to pull the top up and hold it in place, but I've done it dozens of times now.  Actually, it's easier to put up than my portable soft crate, which has these poles that always get jammed and involves a lot of zipping and unzipping.  My Blog - http://24ft.dutchbingo.net My Site - http://liesrosema.com

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• 06-17-2008 5:48 PM

  In reply to Liesje

  jennie_c_d Joined on 09-10-2007 Southeast Georgia Posts 8,575 Points 75

  Re: portable crate suggestions Reply Contact I agree. I wouldn't put a puppy in a soft crate. A nice, little suitcase crate will probably work out *much* better. It was after Emma's 4th birthday when I started using her soft crate. I was shocked at how well she did with it. She's *so* crate trained that she just... stays in it. I can leave her anywhere, as long as I attach the zippers to each other, LOL. She'll unzip it, just like she unlatches regular crates, at home!  Mischeif N Miracles, CGC, RE (PRT, 10/13/2003) Libby's Monkey N The Middle (Chinese Crested, 1/26/2008) Teenie Weenie at the Bridge (Dachshund, ???-12/28/2007)

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• 07-02-2008 10:23 AM

  In reply to jennie_c_d

  the_gopher Joined on 08-02-2006 New Hampshire Posts 866 Points 0

  Re: portable crate suggestions Reply Contact  Liesje thank you so much for your recommendation!  I did get the Precision Pet Suitcase crate and I LOVE it.  Very very easy to use.  I can actually set it up with one hand lol, while the other holds onto Ari.  She'll have plenty of room to grow into it as well and right now she has romping room in it (not much but a bit at least) ~Sharon Proudly owned by Ari a 5 month old flat-coated retriever!

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• 07-02-2008 11:48 AM

  In reply to the_gopher

  Pwca Joined on 09-09-2006 Dallas, Texas Posts 1,311 Points 305

  Re: portable crate suggestions Reply Contact   It DOES depend on your dog though. :P Lizzie's primary crate is (and has been since I got her!) a soft crate and she's never even considered chewing on it. (I'm replacing it because it's got a slight tear in the mesh on the side- but that's from ME catching it on something when carrying it around, not her doing anything.)   This is the one I have - $25 or so at Walmart. It's not as heavy duty as the expensive soft crates (Cabana Crate, etc) but I've been very happy with it.  It's not so much that Lizzie isn't a chewer as that for the first while I was using it, she was supervised in it. I pre-sprayed all the tempting bits (and there's not many, all the seams are rolled and finished on dthis one) with bitter apple and I gave a verbal correction every time I saw her pawing at the door or heard her digging in it- and I made sure she almost always had a tempting chew in there. So it MIGHT work for a crate in the office.   I do like my other crates though. We're a mixed household. :P I have one suitcase style crate, three airline crates and two soft crates. :P

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• 07-02-2008 11:54 AM

  In reply to Pwca

  the_gopher Joined on 08-02-2006 New Hampshire Posts 866 Points 0

  Re: portable crate suggestions Reply Contact Pwca, that's a lot of crates!  Then again we have just Ari and two crates lol.  I think Ari would do terrible in a soft sided one, she's a bit stubborn (understatement) when it comes to doing what she wants, so I think I'd just be correcting her every 2 minutes :)  She hops right in now to both of her crates which is wonderful, and she does understand now what "kennel up" means - even if she doesn't want to go back in she will (then shoot me a look that would break your heart).   My ONLY complaint about the suitcase crate is it's heavy to carry (or maybe I'm just that weak), but it's not impossible obviously for me to life, load and tug around short distances.  Other than that I'm quite pleased with this purchase.  ~Sharon Proudly owned by Ari a 5 month old flat-coated retriever!

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• 07-02-2008 12:10 PM

  In reply to the_gopher

  Liesje Joined on 03-02-2007 Grand Rapids, Michigan Posts 6,785 Points 850

  Re: portable crate suggestions Reply Contact I'm glad you like it, I love mine.  You are right, it's heavy, but I believe it's a heavier gauge wire, which is better (the place I got mine from had a pic of a man and his Tervuren both standing on top of the crate).  I know I could not design an "easier" crate than the suitcase one!  When I go to weekend shows, I borrow a little dolly from work for my crates and chairs. My Blog - http://24ft.dutchbingo.net My Site - http://liesrosema.com

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• 07-02-2008 12:43 PM

  In reply to Liesje

  CanyonLabradors Joined on 11-07-2007 Colorado Springs Posts 24 Points 35

  Re: portable crate suggestions Reply Contact If you can leave the crate at work, I would get a wire one, and put a cover over for "privacy" like a towel or a sheet.   I've had no problems with the softcrates and chewing, but I never had to put a pup away in one for any length of time.  In your office, your pup WOULD be supervised, so it wouldn't be a bad option.  I prefer the Noz2Noz brands.  I have 2 of their largest for my labs, and have had them for about 6 years, and they are looking great still. Jen @ Canyon Labradors www.canyonlabradors.com

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• 07-02-2008 7:03 PM

  In reply to the_gopher

  Pwca Joined on 09-09-2006 Dallas, Texas Posts 1,311 Points 305

  Re: portable crate suggestions Reply Contact the_gopher: Pwca, that's a lot of crates!  Then again we have just Ari and two crates lol.  I think Ari would do terrible in a soft sided one, she's a bit stubborn (understatement) when it comes to doing what she wants, so I think I'd just be correcting her every 2 minutes :)  She hops right in now to both of her crates which is wonderful, and she does understand now what "kennel up" means - even if she doesn't want to go back in she will (then shoot me a look that would break your heart)     Well, I used to like all wire ones, then Mal's broke (Midwest life stages, and I'm not buying another one of those!), and I replaced it with an airline crate because he likes them better. Then I got Kaylee and Mom remembered that she had an XL (500? I think?) airline crate in the attic that she'd gotten from a friend when Indy started coming to visit, but she'd put it up there because it took up so much space (Indy has a size 300 airline crate, which he prefers, and he'll try and squish himself into a 200 given the opportunity.) Then I bought the soft crate for Lizzie (since she spent the winter going to work with me) and ... yeah. :P

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• 07-02-2008 7:06 PM

  In reply to Pwca

  jennie_c_d Joined on 09-10-2007 Southeast Georgia Posts 8,575 Points 75

  Re: portable crate suggestions Reply Contact  I have.... 7 crates, and 2 dogs, LOL. Excessive? NAH! I'm about to buy another wire crate, because of Ena Bean's skin. I'm concerned that the plastic of her "house" may be causing further irritation. So.... new, wire crate.   Why no Midwest Lifestages? They're on sale, at work.... Mischeif N Miracles, CGC, RE (PRT, 10/13/2003) Libby's Monkey N The Middle (Chinese Crested, 1/26/2008) Teenie Weenie at the Bridge (Dachshund, ???-12/28/2007)

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• 07-02-2008 8:35 PM

  In reply to CanyonLabradors

  the_gopher Joined on 08-02-2006 New Hampshire Posts 866 Points 0

  Re: portable crate suggestions Reply Contact CanyonLabradors: If you can leave the crate at work, I would get a wire one, and put a cover over for "privacy" like a towel or a sheet.   I've had no problems with the softcrates and chewing, but I never had to put a pup away in one for any length of time.  In your office, your pup WOULD be supervised, so it wouldn't be a bad option.  I prefer the Noz2Noz brands.  I have 2 of their largest for my labs, and have had them for about 6 years, and they are looking great still.   Ari can no longer have a blanket or towel covering her crate - she pulls it off and rips it up.  She apparently just prefers to remain cover free and able to see all around her to see what's going on.   ~Sharon Proudly owned by Ari a 5 month old flat-coated retriever!

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• 07-02-2008 8:37 PM

  In reply to Pwca

  the_gopher Joined on 08-02-2006 New Hampshire Posts 866 Points 0	Re: portable crate suggestions Reply Contact  I have heard others having issues with Midwest crates.  Indy sounds like he likes to be nice and SNUG, silly puppy!  ~Sharon Proudly owned by Ari a 5 month old flat-coated retriever!
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• 07-02-2008 8:38 PM

  In reply to jennie_c_d

  the_gopher Joined on 08-02-2006 New Hampshire Posts 866 Points 0

  Re: portable crate suggestions Reply Contact jennie_c_d:  I have.... 7 crates, and 2 dogs, LOL. Excessive? NAH! I'm about to buy another wire crate, because of Ena Bean's skin. I'm concerned that the plastic of her "house" may be causing further irritation. So.... new, wire crate.   Why no Midwest Lifestages? They're on sale, at work....   OH MY WORD!  And your getting another crate?!  I thought I was bad with just the 2 hehe. ~Sharon Proudly owned by Ari a 5 month old flat-coated retriever!

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