Biz has now bent the kennel aire door to where it won't close. Background:
He's 15 months and I got him Dec 6th. Was an outside doog in a kennel/run and at night in a vari kennel. He is from working lines, but has little drive and is very shy/skittish. The chick I got him from said she basically had no use for him, he'd make a good pet. His litter mates however are becoming great working dogs.
The 500 vari kennel did not house him. He knocked the door out and escaped, so I put bungee cords around it. He then bent the door in and got out.
He then went into the kennel aire, which seemed to work. He bent the cage but it was no big deal, he didn't escape.
Tonight when I came home, the door was bent in and stuck. It took me 45 min and all my strength bending the door and crate to free him. Now the door won't close. Luckily the 2nd kennel aire arrived today. I have put it together but am unsure how to secure it better. He pushes the tray out and broke the bottom part of the crate, so I put the bungee cord horizontal to keep the tray in. (It didn't work tonight, that tray was 1/2 way out). It's also my weekend so I have 3 days to figure something out, hopefully with your help.
I put a sheet over it, well it's now shredded and was in knots thru the cage. I had to cut it free. I have left the TV, radio and clock soothing sounds on. The other dog was seperated from him, so that's not the issue. He did it w/her in the area and out. The crate was too close to my bed and he pulled my feather comforter in and yup feathers everywhere. What a joy that was to clean up.
Please give me some ideas how to keep him from damaging the 3rd crate. I give him treats in a kong (which he is just now figuring out how to get out,) loose treats and a nylabone to gnaw on.
I am usually gone 10 hours, but I have been leaving early to come home and bond. He has done this in six hours, 8 hours and 10 hours. I have no idea when he starts to loose it. I don;t have a webcam nor do I want to buy a nanny cam.
Does he sound crate trained to you? Do I need to get a kennel/run and leave him outside? I really don't want to do that either, but I can't have him ruining every crate I buy.
When he does escape, the takes a dump and pees on the dog bed.
The first time he was looking for a way out of the house, the last 2 times he was upstairs in my room.
At night he is perfect. I don't hear a peep out of him. If I'm in the room he's fine, doesn't throw a fit. It's not til I'm out of the house (I heard him when I was in the backyard) or downstairs.
Thanks anyone. I'm beat and calling it a night. I hope to wake to any idea.

Oh, and the 2nd kennel aire, well its not the same although it's the same size. Its the professional series which Ed has listed. The tray is much thinner (you can shake it and it makes that plastic noise, and it's a 1/4" or so shorter. The first one there is no way you can make the tray flap around.
I'm going to write the guy and ask him. He's very good about returning emails.

Hello,

Is your dog getting enough exercise? There are some behavior mod things you can try like preparing to leave, putting the dog in the crate and only being gone a minute or two and then increasing the time slowly over time. In the meantime to keep the dog contained while you are gone, there are several things you can do. I had a dog that did everything yours has! If you are using a wire crate and the pan is slipping out, you can turn the crate upside down. The top is not made with the same space for the pan to slip out so it works better on the bottom. You can also use plastic wire ties to strengthen any weak spots on the crate. If you want to use a vari kennel, get one that has a bar that goes across the middle of the door. There is an aluminum crate on this site that you might want to look at. I have the one from Rayallen.com. My dog never got out of it. Hopefully over time with the right behavior mod and crate your dog will settle in and learn to relax.

Jeanne

Also, are you crating him only when you leave?

This dog sounds like he has too much engery if he is doing only durning the day. I am thinking this is different for him all together if he was an outside dog living with running room and now has to be a crated dog. You many not like the idea of him being outside in a run but it might be the best for him and save you some $$$$. 8 to 10 in a crate is really long for a young dog to do. It is like locking a teenager in a closet and expecting them to be ok with it- not going to happen.

If you are set on crating him exercise him before you leave for the morning I don't mean potty break and bring back in I saying 30 -60 minutes of ball chasing, obedience, walk around the block exercise.(this is also great bonding time too - you just lose an hour of sleep) Also get him some toys that work his mind while he is in the crate. and stop buying crates that are not made for this type of dog. 6 guage or a pit cage is what you are going to be needing. Buy once and be done with it. Yes, it is more expensive but three crates, a feather comforter, sheet later you could of bought one not to say what is the going price for a piece of mind?

I've got a "crate breaker", and only the wire crates can contain him - with those rock climbing clips around the doors so he can't bend the top or bottom. He's broken out of all of those airline type kennels. Although, if a dog REALLY wants to get out, he'll get out. I knew of a dog that separated the wires of a wire crate by chewing until there was a space big enough for him to slip out - and he broke all his teeth in the process. (It also so happened this dog was the sire of mine...sigh)

I agree that 8 to 10 is a very long time to be in the crate. Is there ANY way you can get back to him for a break? Anyone who could let him out for you?

The outside kennel may be the best option though, since you're gone for such a long time. (Wait, you mean 8 am to 10 pm, right?)

This dog sounds super, super bored. A good, long walk and some ball before you put the dog into the crate will definately help ease things. Keep it up with the TV and radio -- it certainly will not hurt the situation. I would also give the dog 1-2 kongs in the crate when I leave. You can freeze the dog's food in it for the day, use peanutbutter, easy cheese, whatever you want. This gives the dog mental stimulation for 1-2 hours (depending on how long it takes your dog to plow through them -- my dog can polish off a large kong in 20 minutes) and something to let out its frustrations on later. I know when my dog is particularly bored, she'll just grab an empty kong and chew on it for a few minutes, then fall asleep. They can be like pacifiers.

Thanks everyone. Yes I walk him and he plays hard with the other dog 30-60 minutes before I leave. I work 2pm - midnite. I was coming home at 8, & 9 and 10 2x's. (I work 10 hour shifts)
He is free to do whatever when I'm home and for the most part he elects to stay in the kennel. The chick I got him from said he would be fine in the crate and that he is used to it especially at night. I throw in a toys, the kong filled w/treats, a nylabone and loose treats. I ketp the other dog in her crate until she proved she wouldn't destroy my room. Eventually I hope to let him have free reign int he room he's in, but since he was trying to escape the house to get outside, I want to make sure he can't open a window, which he has already done. It's an old house with the original windows. He's not totally comfortabe here as it's only been 10 days that I've had him. I'll try flipping the tray (novel idea) and getting some wire things. I think I know what you are talking about.
One time he got out, we had just come back from a 30 min walk which was after they played outside. I let them run around when we first go out and then walk them seperately. He broke out while Gabbi & I were out on the walk. Wait, that was 2 escape attempts in 1 day.
He's not running from me as much and he is coming to be pet more and more. He follows me where ever I go, which I take as a good sign. As far as obedience we are starting the marker training. He doesn't know much and again, I was waiting for the bonding time to take place before I begin teaching him the basics. He's much better on the walks, his tail isn't under him as much.
Thanks again.