Well, I'll be shipping the dogs home soon. One small problem...

Cassie knows how to escape from her crate. It took me a while to figure out exactly how she does it - but she actually pulls the crate door IN and then squeezes out the bottom.

I can't have her escaping while she's on the plane!

She doesn't do this when I'm around, only when I've gone out. I stopped crating her about 6 months to a year ago because she'd get out and chew something up. So I just put her in the spare bedroom now when we go out. And of course, she knows how to open the door, so I have to lock the door shut...she's too smart for her own good...

I don't think I am going to be able to train her not to do this in a month, at least not to the point where I'd trust her in her crate on a long plane ride! So does anyone have any ideas to physically keep her from getting out?

Drill holes in the top and bottom of the crate. Buy zip ties.
4 zip ties- one at each corner of the door.
Zip them tight so that the dog can not chew through them.
Cut when dog has arrived at destination.

Otherwise.... buy a stainless dog crate.

You can bolt angle iron around the opening of the vari kennel door so that the wire door will shut flush up against the angle iron. Through the part of the angle iron that is bolted to the vari kennel (top and bottom of doorway) drill holes 3" and 5" from each end. Once the dog is loaded in the crate place threaded rods through these holes, two inside the door and two outside the door and secure with wingnuts. This will allow the kennel stay as usable as it is now for day to day use, but with in less than 2 minutes will not be able to have the door pushed out or pulled in. Total cost for the metal parts will be less than $20, and should take less than 2 hours total to do. Hope that helps,
Chad

You can also get a mild tranquilizer from the vet for traveling. It may take the edge off in addition to the above suggestions.

I've seen one of the crates that has six pins to secure the door closed instead of just the four. This type of kennel worked for one of our Military Working Dogs that did the same thing you described. I don't recall the brand but we picked it up at a local Sam's Club.

Buy and do the 'zip' ties as Deanna suggested. I've had to do that to mine for several dogs and it works like a charm. And I've shipped numourous times overseas and across NA on some lengthy flights.

But if I may make a suggestion...check with the airlines as none in my area will allow metal crates on planes. They only allow certain plastic crates which are 'airline approved': Vari-Kennel, Pet Porter etc...

With the zip ties you should be fine.

Thanks for the suggestions! Great idea about the zip ties!

About metal crates...I'm not sure it would be a good idea to ship using one of them in the summer, since I've heard they are like an oven in the heat...is this true? They're also a little expensive...I have a lot of other stuff I'm going to have to buy when we get back!

Thanks again for the ideas, I'll look into the crates with the extra pins when we get home, for future use with her!

Wish us luck!

Here's my $4 fix that has been tested by my very own GSD who thinks she is the reincarnation of Houdini.

I promise this is very easy... I just give detailed directions!

Depending on crate size - adjust measurements if necessary. What I've listed is for a standard Large size Vari Kennel (Blue). So double check yours first.

Buy 2 threaded rods, 1/2 in dia. in the 2ft. length. These are available at Lowes or other hardware stores for about $1.50 ea.
Purchase 4 washers and 4 bolts (1/2in)

The rods will be inserted towards the inside side of the gate, one on each side of the gate. They need to be placed vertically (up and down) as close to the center of the crate opening as possible while still allowing enough space for the dog to enter/exit. An estimate is about 3 to 4in from each side. Check for hardware clearance opening and shutting the gate.

Once you've located where to put the rods, drill holes top and bottom to feed the rod through. Its best if you make the hole slightly larger than the rod. Then just insert the rods. Attach the washers and bolts- and your done!!

If you want to cover the metal rods, 5/8in clear poly vinyl tubing with a 1/2 in inside dia. can be slid over the rods. Helps if your dog may attempt chewing the rods and prevent tooth damage.

PS. If you have a dog that pushes the crate door out- just position the rods on the outside of the door.

Another great idea!

Ok, one more question -

I remember reading that the dogs need to be accessible by the airline, so is there a chance that the airline company would cause a problem if I tried to ship her, with the ties on the crate? I am thinking that I could always tie some scissors to the crate, and some extra ties...but I'm so afraid that if they did take her out, they wouldn't bother to put the ties on when they put her back in again!

Maybe I should do BOTH - putting threaded rods through, and the ties, just in case!

I wouldn't secure the crate with zip ties until after the airlines has the oportunity to look inside the crate. When I have traveled with my dog, the airlines asked me to take the dog out so they could inspect the interior of the crate. On the otherhand, if the dog shows signs of aggression they would rather just send him through without the crate inspection.