Source
r/dogs•
hellacrazyb

[Help] Dog Crate Size

Help!

A few weeks ago, we adopted a Shepard Cross from a rescue. We originally bought a large size crate for our dog, but we felt like it was too big and she had way too much room in it. She has some separation anxiety, and I found she was constantly digging and clawing at the crate to get out, and since she was able to stand up and have so much room so was chewing on the top of it.

We went last night to buy the medium sized crate, we took it home and now I feel like it may be too small for her. She weighs just under 50 lbs, and the box said the intermediate size is for dogs 41-70 lbs. She can comfortably lay down in the crate and turn around, but can't stand up in it. Is this ok for the dog? She gets put in her crate at night and we whenever we leave the house.

Posted Mar 5, 2019, 3:53 PM UTC

16
TreeceyChihuahua Mix - Phantom•

If she can't stand up then it's too small. A dog should, at a minimum, be able to stand, turn around, and lie down in their crate.

9
shiplesp•

The logic behind a small crate (just big enough to stand up, turn around, and lie down) is related to house training. A dog raised in a clean environment won't eliminate where he must sleep. However, once a dog is house trained, the crate can be as big as you like. Making the crate too small for him to chew on it (essentially using it like a restraint) isn't a solution to confinement distress. You need to approach crate training more slowly and systematically. I really like Susan Garrett's Crate Games for building enthusiasm for the crate. And it's fun to train.

5
440_Hz•

I don't think that having a crate that is too large would contribute to separation anxiety anyway.

4
Ulahn•

Crate training takes time but you were right the first time with the large crate. The crate should be big enough to stand, turn and get comfortable. It’s meant to be a welcoming space for the dog. Any smaller and it’s restraint. Try putting some blankets with your scent on them in there along with some treats to help settle her

2
RedVelvet25•

You should get a crate divider that way you can use the big crate and adjust if she grows

2
ATBoneElsa: European Doberman•

I used this as a guide

https://www.amazon.ca/MidWest-Folding-Divider-Protecting-Leak-Proof/dp/B000OX64P8/ref=sr_1_6?keywords=dog%2Bcrate&qid=1551812079&s=gateway&sr=8-6&th=1

Your crate should be just big enough for them to turn around and sleep, too big and they may deficate on one end and sleep on the other. Don't use weight as a measurement for crate size, some dogs are denser than others. My doberman is 90lbs, a pitbull is smaller, but also weighs about the same as a doberman, see how that doesn't make sense.

1