I think Leerburg should put together "package deals".

New "pet" puppy
New "working" puppy
New "pet" adult
New "working" adult.

Thanks for the responses. It's plastic crate, but I am getting a metal one this weekend, most likely. I had a really bad experience with a metal crate, though, so I've shied away from them. My Chow mix chewed the bars so hard they were bent. I took the crate back and got the plastic one, which has worked up until this point. My GSD/Pit mix is a strong dog, but this little guy is a spitfire.

I am glad that I am not the only one who's had this happen. I was beginning to wonder. I was thinking about threading a large strap (like you'd use for your luggage) around the front of the crate and through the vent holes so the fastener would be at the back of the crate. I am hoping he gets the hang of 'hanging out' and forgets how much he'd rather just lie on the floor.

Some of the horror stories make me cringe. Wow...and I though my dogs have done some boneheaded things! Now I see I've gotten off pretty easy. Our Chow mix used to be able to jump our 6 ft fence when she really wanted to. That was the last stumper I've had before this one. I'd really like to set up a camera to see how he does it.

Oh, and for the person whose dog can open OTHER crates. Wow! Are you sure he's a dog and not a monkey in a dog suit? Wild.

 Quote: Angela Martin

Oh, and for the person whose dog can open OTHER crates. Wow! Are you sure he's a dog and not a monkey in a dog suit? Wild.

That would be me. My ex thought it would be cute to lock the dog's favorite toys in his crate and see if he could figure out how to get them out. Well, he did, and when you only have one dog, it's fine. Not so cute when you get two (and more) and he has figured out that it's really not that hard to open that crate from the inside, PLUS he can pass on his knowledge and be the most fun mentor ever to the little Pit puppy who sucks up every bit of knowledge he can find. So, now I have 2 Houdinis. BTW- they also both have no issues clearing my 6'fence, and their kennels have to be padlocked. Also, I deadbolt my interior doors b/c they both are quite adept w/doorknobs. I wouldn't change/trade them for the world, but they do cause me some worry when I'm not home.

 Quote: Jenni Williams

Also, I deadbolt my interior doors b/c they both are quite adept w/doorknobs.

I use child-safety knobs! (Though Teagan got one off last week....I may need to look into deadbolts )

See, that's my problem. I have this superficiality complex that I fully admit to, and well, I just think those things make my house look ugly. It's much easier to add a deadbolt on the door from the kitchen to the garage, and less unsightly. I honestly don't think they would work for very long anyway once they figured out that all they have to do is grab opposite sides, I think they might have an even easier time, ya know? Since they're not as slippery as a steel doorknob?

Let me tell you, I've tried lots and lots of "great ideas" that those 2 just laughed in my face about! My favorite was separating Qira and Simon in adjacent kennels with roofs. I thought I was so smart. I came home and they were in the same kennel; they simply used teamwork to dig a lovely channel from one to the next. Why, oh why, am I so drawn to the creepy-smart dogs???

 Quote: mallory kwiatkowski

i have placed zip ties every 2 inches around the entire crate. that holds for a while, but he pops them one by one till he gets out.

Put 2 zip ties every 2" or maybe even 3 or 4. Unless wire gives, or he's chewing the zip ties, eventually he will not be strong enough to break through. Then you'll have to worry about some other part giving way, but it might just stop it. Otherwise you'll have to invest in an aluminum crate. It might just be worth it to do it now. It's the last crate you'll ever need to buy.

I know of a breeder that had one of her females break out of it's kennel.....and processed to opened each rabbit hatch door (fifteen of them!). The dog had a field day.
Probably didn't need to eat for a week.

Randy

ugly is true....

the ones i have you have to push buttons in while turning, which sometimes i have trouble with (go figure). but yeah, last week teagan took it off effortlessly. i guess once she decided to bother, it posed no challenge.

qira and simon sound great! teagan and neb haven't started working together yet, and luc (bless his heart) just isn't smart enough to make a good partner in crime for teagan....phew!

the one thing i was thinking, someone mentioned caribinners (sp?) - the climbing things - for reinforcing crates - just make sure they're big strong ones, cause dogs can chew open smaller ones.

Mine break zip ties, but I admit it takes a while, and if you cut them off really close, they have a hard time grabbing hold of the ends and therefore pulling on the panel. If you use enough, they won't "feel" like they can even move the panel. I used zip ties to secure the bottom of a chainlink panel to the metal frame...until Caleb decided he'd just unravel the chainlink by removing the bar at the bottom and doing a lovely reverse basketweave until I had loose wires hanging instead of a woven panel. Oh well...it pushed me to buy the 8 gauge welded wire kennels I'd been wanting for a while.

I was actually the one who mentioned those things. I use small ones that I bought to secure water buckets onto the kennel panels with. They are strong, and too small for a dog to coordinate. They may be smart, but they don't have thumbs! HAH!

Qira and Simon are actually really cute together, but there are days when I need them separated...so I don't end up w/Pit Bull+German Shepherd puppies. I should post a pic of that tunnel; it really is cute...no two ways about it.