Puppy Crate Question

bnlegan · 07-16-2010

We have a 8 month old husky who we love but really tests our patience. We bought a big metal bar crate for her and she managed to bend the metal bars and get herself out everyday while we are at work. We got zip ties and put them around the parts she bent and she managed to eat those off and get out again and hurt herself in the process. Now we lock her up in our bathroom (pretty decent size) but she is tearing apart the bathroom door (we rent so this is not good). We give her bones and treats and toys and when she's in there she doesn't seem to care about them. I was wondering if anyone had any ideas of what we could possibly do. Money is a tad tight and I really don't want to go spend more money on a new crate that she's going to just break again. Any suggestions??

angiesample · 07-16-2010

Do you exercise the dog before u going to work? Huskys are a very active breed they need to go for runs before being left alone.

bnlegan · 07-16-2010

Yeah, ever since she first started to break out and eat stuff, I now wake up an hour early for work to take her on a walk in the morning. Then as soon as I get home I go on a run with her. My boyfriend also comes home for lunch everyday and takes her out and plays with her.

tenveria · 07-18-2010

Get a plastic dog crate, the wire one you bought is obviously not dog-tested and I would take it back to the store where you bought it because it is not safe.

Feed your puppy in the crate, no where else and the puppy will learn to love the crate. Keep all his favorite toys in the crate. Throw a treat in the crate and tell him "kennel" he will go in and he will stay there even if the door is left open. My dogs love their crates because they are happy places, places where they think and relax, they are their dens. It is a place where humans cannot go and your dog can be a dog and not have to apologize for doing dog like things.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bnlegan

We have a 8 month old husky who we love but really tests our patience. We bought a big metal bar crate for her and she managed to bend the metal bars and get herself out everyday while we are at work. We got zip ties and put them around the parts she bent and she managed to eat those off and get out again and hurt herself in the process. Now we lock her up in our bathroom (pretty decent size) but she is tearing apart the bathroom door (we rent so this is not good). We give her bones and treats and toys and when she's in there she doesn't seem to care about them. I was wondering if anyone had any ideas of what we could possibly do. Money is a tad tight and I really don't want to go spend more money on a new crate that she's going to just break again. Any suggestions??

BekahSue · 07-19-2010

I had the same issue with my lab! She'd bust the metal crate right open as soon as I put her in, so I bought the flight approved VariKennel. She pushed the door so hard it bent to the point that there is no chance it'll hold her if I close her in it now. I gave up and leave her loose now, but I really wish I could crate her, as some days she wrecks the place. She's 3 now, and I started her as a puppy in the crate, she started breaking out about 1 1/2ish I think. I take her hiking for an hour in the morning and always come home for lunch for 1/2 and let her out. Still, there are days she'll just trash the place, or go in the house.

angiesample · 07-19-2010

The only thing i can think of if u want to keep kenneling your dog up is a steel cage. My sister in law got one for her lab/doberman mix bc be broke out of 4 cages... and this is the only box that has worked... she got hers on amazon.com: Amazon.com: Heavy Duty Indestructible Steel Dog Crate Cage, 42… it is a bit pricey but they are guaranteed and if something does happen they will replace the cage.

Although ideally u would probably like to be able to leave ur dog out sometimes that is just not possible. I cant risk leaving my dog unattended bc she eats whatever she can carpet, shoes, clothes.... and that could be very dangerous.

I hope this helps... Good luck!

DoggieVogue · 07-21-2010

I think the idea of making the crate your dogs "happy place" can be a great thing. If you work more and more with getting your dog comfortable in the crate it could really work in my opinion If not, the steel crate may be your only other option. It took a lot of work with my lab to get her to stop chewing her crate and breaking out, but eventually she got used to it and now she has the roam of the house because she's so well behaved! Don't give up