I travel with my dog a lot, and we had a soft-sided crate, but he chewed a hole in it and got out, so I am afraid to get another one in case he does it again, and get into something dangerous inh a strange place if we weren't with him. But when I travel, the car is full, and most plastic crates stick out where you latch both halves together, and that kind does not fit in my car well, because they do not fit through the side door. His old crate was 24L x17W x22H. Should I use a wire crate (or would that freak him out if he was someplace new and felt exposed?), another soft-sided crate (and risk escaping?) or try to find a plastic crate that doesn't stick out at the edges (and I have been looking for one online for two days with no success?). HELP!
2007-06-17 14:49:06 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
We show rabbits (weird, I know) so the back is usually stuffed with rabbits in carriers, and the seats are folded down to accomidate them, and normally two or three people in a small SUV (a Honda CRV). HE had his soft sided crate for several months, and I have never used a wire crate before, which is why I asked! I guess I will try one of those...
2007-06-17 15:04:59 · update #1
We show rabbits (weird, I know) so the back is usually stuffed with rabbits in carriers, and the seats are folded down to accomidate them, and normally two or three people in a small SUV (a Honda CRV). HE had his soft sided crate for several months, and I have never used a wire crate before, which is why I asked! I guess I will try one of those...
2007-06-17 15:05:01 · update #2
Sorry about the doubled update : )
The crates thast are plastic and look like boxes but the halves have a slightly triangular shape to them...where you hook them together with the little screws that come with the crate...
I have no idea how to describe it!
2007-06-17 16:51:57 · update #3
Oh, wire crates are terrific and they very easily fold down for storage. Most can be slid under a couch.
Just take a blanket to toss over the cage if you're worried he won't like being in the "open". My dogs are the same way.
(And my soft sided crates didn't last a week. LOL)
Have fun!
2007-06-17 14:54:20 · answer #1 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My husband & I have 2 dogs ourselves...both neither small dogs but rather large. The oldest is almost 60 lbs., and the youngest is around 25-30. We don't crate them when we travel...they usually enjoy the freedom of the backseat & trunk area of our Jimmy. But we do have a wire crate here at home for the youngest, when nobody is going to be home. *She has a tendancy to destroy paper and wrappers and anything stuffing-filled, like toys.* I'd say just get a plastic one that doesn't poke into your car seats & cause damage that way. There are different kinds of crates available...plastic, wire, the soft-sided ones like cloth. The soft-sided ones don't work with our dogs either. They chew through them and destroy them. Crates should be big enough for the dog to go in, head-first, turn around, and lay down comfortably. If you can't find one at say Wal-Mart, try a pet store. They'd be able to help you find a decent one that won't cost too much.
2007-06-17 21:56:03 · answer #2 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Our dogs travel in wire crates quite happily - but that's what they are used to. I like the way they can be folded up and are easier to clean. You can always cover the crate with a blanket if he freaks out. And you might find that he actually enjoys being able to see. Another solution, if you have the seat room, is a doggie seat belt. It's a harness that lets him sit in the seat and lie down, but keeps him in one place and protects him. We also have several of these that we have used and like them a lot.
2007-06-17 21:58:51 · answer #3 · answered by thehouseofcritters 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Vari-Kennels are very good. You can get almost everywhere, pet stores on line even pet catalogs.There are also collapsible plastic crates that are very good. I just don't think wire ones are safe for travel. I use Vari-kennels and and the soft crates on set. Never let your dog free in a car there is a harness that acts as a seat belt and has saved many pet's lives. That's what I use for travel. All the best;^)
2007-06-17 21:53:32 · answer #4 · answered by SureKat 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know what you mean when you say one that doesn't stick out at the edges, but you could always use a wire crate and take a sheet or some canvas folded up and lay it over the wire crate to make it seem inclosed.
Good luck.
2007-06-17 22:19:49 · answer #5 · answered by Jocelyn7777 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A wire cage and a blanket to throw over it for privacy.
I don't like the cloth because god forbid you were in a car accident teh cage isn't really very strong.
My sister was in an accident with her dog and it was in a homemade wood crate and teh cage wdent parcially through the front window the dog had a concussion but I wonder what would have happened in one of those cloth ones.
2007-06-17 21:56:49 · answer #6 · answered by Kit_kat 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If a plastic crate is too big, I would recommend a wire crate, because they are easily collapsible. If the dog needs privacy, put a blanket over it.
2007-06-17 21:55:03 · answer #7 · answered by Go Spurs Go 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A wire crate is collapsible and can easily be moved around. If "exposure" is an issue for your dog, you can always cover it with a towel or blanket. This may creat a snug "den"-like atmosphere that would make him feel secure... he would still get plenty of ventilation.
2007-06-17 21:54:36 · answer #8 · answered by anon 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋