Is Soft Crate okay for a Puppy?

J

JosiesMom

Forums Regular
I will be getting a 7 week old puppy in mid January and found a crate on Amazon that I really like. Will try to put the link on here if I can. I would like a soft, easily taken down crate as I had a metal one for my previous Shelties that just seemed "cold". Is a soft sided crate ok for a puppy? I'm also concerned about the size. Is this the right size for a Sheltie puppy? http://www.amazon.com/Pet-Gear-Generation-Portable-30-pounds/dp/B00134MY06/ref=pd_ybh_1

Thanks!
Tammy
 
The size is fine for a sheltie puppy, but they grow up much faster than you think and this is a fairly pricy item, so I'd buy the size you think you'll need for an adult. The medium size is the same as I have in a wire crate for my Hanna, and now that she's full grown I wish I had bought the large instead. She's only 15 pounds and still uses it, but she can't really stretch out full length in it. If you have the space I'd go ahead and get the large - it's going to seem huge at the beginning, so put a box or something at the back to make a divider. The crate should only be big enough for sleeping, so puppy never goes in it.

My last sheltie had a soft sided crate and she was great with it. I liked it because it was easily portable, but the wire ones are sturdier and depending on how much of a chewer your pup becomes the soft ones might not last. With a pad in the bottom both will be equally comfy for your pup, so it's a personal preference.
 
I've only used soft crates - but mine aren't chewers or scratchers and never have been. So if you do get a soft crate be aware it may not last the distance if your pup turns out be a chewer - esp when he starts teething.

OT a little - just a suggestion as I'm not sure what you've arranged with the breeder. You may want to defer getting the pup a week - until he is 8weeks old. It's the usual practice that pups stay with it's mother & litter mates until it is at least 8weeks old. You'd be surprised how much that extra week will help with issues like bite inhibition, socialisation, confidence etc.
 
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So Far So Good

I've just become a Mum to an 11 week old sheltie girl. I bought an xl soft crate 'cause it is easy to fold and not too heavy to move around. I got the xl because I also have 2 older males and one is oversize and I want them to be able to use the crate as well. The crate looks huge but when all 3 are inside it's a perfect fit.

I also think you should wait until your puppy is between 8 and 12 weeks old before you take it from it's Mum and siblings as they learn so much from them in the early weeks.:razz:
 
My pup absolutely tore up a soft crate right off. Over time though, after he was trained, I could go back to one which I used as a carrier while he was a pup as well as in the car. It did not work for night or for when I was gone when he was a tiny guy.
 
Welcome, Tammy.

I think it really depends on the personality of your pup as to whether or not a soft crate will be a good initial choice. Some pups are major chewers and for those a soft crate will just be another chew item. If you still have the metal crate from your previous sheltie you might want to initially start with that until you get to know your pup a bit and then you can always buy a really nice soft crate if your pup is not a devoted chewer of everything in sight.

Also, depending on how you plan to contain your pup when in the car, a soft crate doesn't give much protection in an accident. Probably the safest crate for vehicle travel is the hard molded kennel type that is accepted by airlines.

Trini
 
thehatlady said:
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I also think you should wait until your puppy is between 8 and 12 weeks old before you take it from it's Mum and siblings as they learn so much from them in the early weeks.
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Absolutely agree :yes:
Here in Denmark it is illegal to sell dogs before they are 8 weeks :hide
 
times have changed

Hanne said:
Absolutely agree :yes:
Here in Denmark it is illegal to sell dogs before they are 8 weeks :hide
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My previous two shelties were both 10 wks...that was the common age to let them go back then. I think that is a good age. I got both Kaleigh and Savannah at 8.5 wks. Kaleigh HATED her metal crate, did better in the soft sided one. She would try to dig out of the metal one, chew on it, whine. Just wasn't worth putting her in it. Savannah LOVES the metal crate, never has tried to chew it or dig out, or even whine in it. She uses it like her den.The soft sided one she pitches a fit in. So it really does depend on the dog's personality.
 
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Age-wise I 100% agree with everyone who is recommending waiting until the pup is an absolute minimum of 8 weeks old before removing him/her from the mom and litter mates. Even that one week difference is a lot of socialization time that helps the pup learn acceptable behavior around other dogs and how to read dog language. And hopefully the breeder is also taking this time to give the pup as much socialization/early training with humans as possible. It doesn't mean that a little pup taken at 7 weeks can't become a well adjusted dog, but it does mean that they will have missed out on some of the valuable early life lessons that only the mom and litter mates can provide.

Trini
 
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