Depending on where you live you might be able to find a more local source for metal crates. Shipping is obscenely expensive.

I would agree with Will. I have never seen a dog break out of a plastic shipping crate. Not even a Dutch Shepherd (=dog on crack!!!)! Plus, you're not going to force him in, are you? He will go in on his own, so you should have no tests of will to get him in, nor should you lock him in until he figures out it is not such a bad place to be afterall! Once you do shut his door, I would put something for him to chew on while he's in there, to keep him "entertained." You might even try shutting the door, but not latching it shut, til he gets used to the door being shut and not freaking out.

As far as my statement about getting away with more, how did he go from one, to the next, to the next lower level as far as his deteriorating behavior issues? It sounds like an ongoing problem that has gotten worse, and that usually only happens when the behavior is allowed by someone. They will then test repeatedly to see if it is acceptable again. This is just my observations with my own. My hubby used to let them get away with stuff that I did not, until I gave him so much grief about it and explained that he was undermining all of my hard work!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

You should consider it a job well done to get him to heel on a leash with few corrections. It sounds like you have him headed in the right direction, as far as that is concerned. I am sure you will get the rest taken care of with time, a lot of patience, and a little correction. Good luck, again!

I had quite a few that popped the doors on the airline crates, or just grabbed them and pulled them in. Not good. I like the all metal crates, just to poor to afford them!

Jeff,
I keep a supply of spare doors on hand. I've had several doors wrecked, but none that allowed the canine to escape.
Of course I may have just been lucky so far....

On most metal crates, getting a panel or door wrecked means scrapping the crate totally.

We have a 10 month old Mal that has bent two wire crates. She even broke welds one one of them. She destroyed two plastic pans, we had to have a metal one in there all the time. Wire ties helped stop her from getting out the top or sides, but then she just bent the area around the door. We also tried a Vari Kennel, but she could open the door within about 5 minutes. Now we are using a RAM 500 from Ray Allen. We bought it because it actually said it was Malinois proof. It works! It's been about a week and she hasn't gotten out yet!

I'm new to all of this, but I have to say that Jerry, the coffee in the crate is seriouly funny. Now thats getting into the problem.lol
Kitty

Throwing a handful of hot dog pieces in the crate at random times during the day and night are great for getting a dog to go in.
Also, I love the meaty knuckles I get from Kroger. I take them and freeze them, and then give them to the dog. Freezing them kills the worms and parasites in the bone (if there are any) and then keeps the bone cooler longer thus getting more use out of it. After an hour or so of the dog gnawing on it, I just take it back and put it in a Ziploc freezer back and throw it back into the freezer. Hopefully after repeatedly putting the bone in the cage for the dog to chew on, it will eventually go to it's cave to enjoy some gnaw time.

i have heard of the dog busting out of the walmart crate and choking to death.
also take your collar off the dog when you put him in the crate, small chance of it getting caught and him choking to death that way. forgot which board that was posted on but i am new here so it is not this one.