I have a 45 pound Australian Shepherd that needs to be crated while I am at work all day. He is a rescue and has some separation anxiety...no house soiling issues, just chews stuff up while I am gone. I am wondering what the best size is for a crate that he has to be in all day? I just bought a 36 long 24 wide and 26 high crate. He can go in, turn around and lie down, but when he is lying down, he competely fills the crate. He also has to lower his head a little when he stands up.
Reg: 12-23-2008
Posts: 252
Loc: Toronto, ON, Canada
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that crate sounds about right to me. I feel prey to my empathetic and anthropomorphizing side when i bought my first crates... they were too big. they were able to get up and pace around a bit but it only makes them more antsy. If all they can do is get up turn around, and lie down they will likely sleep the whole time your gone (if they have been properly exercised.) I leave my dogs with a knuckle bone or kong filled frozen treats to give them something to do if they're bored.
I feel that chewing up stuff when your gone is more to do with boredom than separation anxiety. Either way the crate is the way to go.
Reg: 12-23-2008
Posts: 252
Loc: Toronto, ON, Canada
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Quote: steve strom
For all day, I would say 6'x6'x10'. And a good size steel water bucket too.
If you have room for something like that inside or if weather permits it outside. that would definitely be a good option. My house is pretty packed inside... and my doberman would annoy the crap out of the neighborhood and freeze to death during the winter and both of them would cook during the summer.
If you use a crate that much you must be vigilante to really exercise the dog before you leave and again when you come home from work. I'm assuming you mean 8ish hours when you say all day at work.
I've had best luck with crates the dog can stand up completely, turn around and lie down, just as you said. For crating purposes. But how long (weeks, months, years) will your dog be crated ALL DAY? That may become an issue later. If you will always have to leave the dog all day, you may need to consider long-term arrangements such as a kennel run rather than crate. JMSO (just my simple opinion)
Just happened to think, we had a chihuahua x aussie mix years ago that we had to leave while I was out for hours at a time. Once she was completely housebroken, she stayed in the kids' bathroom.... very large, vinyl floor, her bed, water & toys were there. We used a baby gate to keep her in, door open.
Thanks for your suggestions everyone. He is doing really well. He gets lots of exercise AM and PM and seems pretty content to be in his crate all day. He does get a treat filled kong in the morning and he just jumps right in with no complaints.
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Proper crate size for all day use?
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