Hi, Think we have a little bit of misunderstanding. Ruby is put in her cage of a night with a blanket over 2 sides when i go to bed, and i dont hear a murmer from her all night (she is also dry through the night) so there is no problem here. As for leaving her in the day, i dont work so she generally isnt in there for a long time and certainly not every day, the 1 day i do have to go out for most of the day i always have someone come in at lunchtime to walk her and feed her. I wanted to try the cover as i think it might settle her more from outside noises, i dont expect her to sleep all day and night, and i always leave her a rawhide bone, stuffed kong and a toy.

With regards to the socilising, we go to puppy class every week, she is walked twice a day and i take her to people that i go to that are happy with dogs in there house, and they to have dogs that she can play with. Not to mention the constant playin she gets from me and my son when at home.

No critisism taken, just wanted to clear up that she isnt constanttly caged . Thanks for the reply.

Hi, i know there are many opinions on crates, but in my opinion i would rather cage a puppy out of harms way when they cant be supervised, as they are into anything and everything.

Animal maltreation.... a little strong! People cannot be around there animals 24/7 so surely trying to make the dog more relaxed when they are on there own is the better solution.

As this is partly aimed at me can you please explain your comment further, Suki was 1st crated due to eating though a MAINS wire. I caged her for her own safety. She is only in there at night. Michael is also caged with here and loves his cage, going in there when he wishes. At night i say bed time doggies both are in the back of the cage getting comfy with their double duvet and loads of blankets before i get there, The cloth doesnt cover the front, and also keeps them warm as they are in the conservatory. It helps in summer as I am not getting up at 5 in the morning when in winter they dont wake till 8 (a bit later if we are having a lie in) I care for my animal which is why I caged her in the 1st place. Some dont take to the cage, are scared of it, refuse to go in it if this was the case I would try and work something else out, but they arent. Its their little safe house.

ATD x

ps i highly doubt you would be banned for having an opinion

Hi Louise there will be times during the day when your puppy is very active, at other times she will sleep. If the puppy has been crated all night and slept then finds herself confined during the day (even if it is only for one day) I would not be surprised if she cries or barks to get out and run about. I don't really think in this instance a cover will help very much.

If I had to leave a puppy regularly for any lenth of time I would prefer to leave it in a puppy proof room like the kitchen/ utility room (it is not difficult to make most modern kitchens puppy proof, cables are usually hidden behind appliances anyway) . This way it could at least move around . I made my kitchen puppy proof although I don't like to leave puppies alone for very long. I also used to have a large folding puppy play pen in the kitchen which I made myself see below;



.... you can buy them these days, I used it in the garden too sometimes.

Leaving the radio on will help to mask any sounds from outside, you are already leaving a kong which may help to pass the time.

Hehe, this made me laugh as my friends used their kitchen for the dogs bed and for somewhere for the dog to go, and he has destroyed the kitchen. Granted no wires, but they now have concrete floor as the flooring was ripped to shreads... They've had to change their washer and dryer as the dog figured out how to open it, destroy the door and the clothes inside, and he has also chewed the cupboards to the point where it is a total state. They also have to child lock the cupboards in there so he doesn't open them and eat contents of cupboards (this has been food, utensils, pots etc).

My Mum and Dad put their dogs in the kitchen and they are fine though

I would use this method if our kitchen was bigger though as it generally works

The "shut the puppy in a safe room" is a fallacy. Very few houses even have a safe room. How many of us have a room with a hard surfaced floor and nothing else? Most rooms have electrical cords to chew if nothing else. In addition to destroying anything a bored puppy finds to chew, it may choke or have intestinal blockage from the pieces. I had a friend that left her dog in a "safe" room. It ate a hole in the floor covering. The safe rooms fail to give the dog the comfort of the enclosed space their instinct requires. Nor do they restrict activity extending the time the dog can go without relieving itself.

Labman if it is a choice between doing as you advocate, from the age of 7 weeks leaving a puppy in a crate for most of the time on a wire grill without bedding or water, I would choose a playpen or safe kitchen with a supply of water and toys every time. Your methods to me are cruel.
How do you think people managed before crates became popular, did every puppy choke and die ?

Crates have a place but their use should be limited to an occasional aid not a permanent prison.
Don't deny you stated these things in previous posts, it is there for all to see and I can easily post quotes and links.

Just to go back to the topic of cage covers. It turnt up yesterday and fitted over the cage brilliantly. Has flaps to 3 sides so it can stay on the cage with just the door flap open so as the cage door can stay open during the day. The flaps can also be opened half way so as its not completley dark. Put Ruby to bed last night and she wasent fazed by it at all, im really happy with it as it looks alot neater than the blanket i did have and it does make it look alot cosier in there aswel. Yet to find out if it will settle her better when left though!

I think you should go out for a bit and leave her to see if it helps Glad it isn't fazing her

Hi Louise if Ruby is already used to having a blanket on the cage having a cover on it won't make a lot of difference to her because it is very similar.

That you are using a blanket over a crate shows your complete lack of experience with dogs that chew. It is really sad anybody with such a lack of knowledge not only sees themselves fit to give advice, but to criticize somebody with wider experience.