I have had Louis for 3 weeks and he is now 12,5 weeks. Have not used a crate (live in Chile and no crates I like available) and he is okay house training wise and also completely fine about being alone for a few hours in a puppy proofed room. That said, I think going forward a crate could be handy for both of us, e.g. when I want him to be alone but not completely seperated. Also, it could be a safe haven for him I suppose when he needs it. 2 questions: -- too late to crate train? -- which crate would you recommend? Hopefully once from amazon.com and ideally one that will serve now and later so probably adult size but one that can be separated off with an insert? Thanks
Re: Which crate for Louis? Too late to crate training No, it's not too late. I crate trained my dog at 10 months old. I have a really big crate for Charlie, and like it that he has lots of room. I'd get a big one, and just divide it - you could make a divider without too much trouble, I reckon. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Crufts-48-Dog-Crate-32-5/dp/B003ELXKD6
Re: Which crate for Louis? Too late to crate training I got a crate for my pup that was 42 inches ( do you do inches there?). I also bought a divider to make it smaller and then moved the divider as she grew. Just make sure there is enough room for your pup to stretch out when lying down. I think getting an adult dozed one with a divider is a good idea if you plan to keep the crate as a den for your pup forever; you can decide if you you want to keep the door open at night but your dog will always have his space. I can't advise on training at 12 weeks but I would do it sooner than later and aim not to frighten your pup or inadvertently have your pup believe it is being punished. So, it must be a really positive experience. I fed my pup in the crate and her water is still kept (24 hours a day) in her crate - she is 9 months.
Re: Which crate for Louis? Too late to crate training [quote author=Jane Martin link=topic=9756.msg141174#msg141174 date=1422896170] I got a crate for my pup that was 42 inches ( do you do inches there?). I also bought a divider to make it smaller and then moved the divider as she grew. Just make sure there is enough room for your pup to stretch out when lying down. I think getting an adult dozed one with a divider is a good idea if you plan to keep the crate as a den for your pup forever; you can decide if you you want to keep the door open at night but your dog will always have his space. I can't advise on training at 12 weeks but I would do it sooner than later and aim not to frighten your pup or inadvertently have your pup believe it is being punished. So, it must be a really positive experience. I fed my pup in the crate and her water is still kept (24 hours a day) in her crate - she is 9 months. [/quote] Thanks. I am used to metrics but 42 inches is a bigger crate as far as i understand but will go with that and the divider like you do. I hope the crate will become a long term safe haven for Louis (maybe I am dreaming) I will pick up the crate in a few weeks and then do a very gradual introduction to it. He is okay now in his puppy proofed room so there is no urgency. I just like the idea of a crate in a high-traffic area better so he can be there if I have stuff to do in the home but need to keep him safe yet not isolated. A
