We have one that is a few years old, it's plastic but the gate is metal, the whole things pretty big. It comes apart really easily, the top will fit inside the bottom section once disassembled, the metal gate sits inside that. How big is your dog? We've taken it traveling numerous times (I usually bring my girl everywhere) and it will fit in the trunk of a small car once broken down. I can't remember the brand but I can go out to the shed tomorrow and look. It's big enough for my Bull Terriers to stand upright and have enough room to move around. I've never tried the cloth one, she would bust out of that before we got out the building.

It's good to see others preparing for their dogs and I've wondered what everyone else has in mind. I would never leave without mine.

Edit: I only use it when staying in hotels.

 

I hate dog crates, especially the ones in houses, our dog has the run of the house when we are out, I don't see the point of having a dog and locking it away.

 

Well, I always tell people who are getting a puppy to crate-train them. Housebreaking is easier (usually only takes a couple of days), and the dog gets to know where he is safe, (children are NOT allowed to bother dogs when in crates), and it is very easy to transport a sick or injured dog to the vet.

Crate-training does NOT mean a dog is left for hours "locked away." i have 2 dogs which most of the time go into their crate about 10 at night, and stay there until the next morning, when they go out for their pee. One will also go into the crate if too many people come into the house...

 

Thanks Mr Hyde. My dog is a large Cairn terrier X, so his a bit bigger then a Westie.

Paul This is only for when we are staying in a hotel or similar, otherwise I would never use one. He has lots of beds here so wont use it unless we stay elsewhere. He has the total run of the house when his home.

At some point however I do need to take him on holiday with me, so I may as well try one out for a BO situation. We are semi rural so it would be a local disaster and thus the usual thing is hotel, B&B, or school sports hall stay, thus the need for a crate or kennel of some kind.

 

Paul This is only for when we are staying in a hotel or similar, otherwise I would never use one. He has lots of beds here so wont use it unless we stay elsewhere. He has the total run of the house when his home.

At some point however I do need to take him on holiday with me, so I may as well try one out for a BO situation. We are semi rural so it would be a local disaster and thus the usual thing is hotel, B&B, or school sports hall stay, thus the need for a crate or kennel of some kind.

I have used one for our previous cairn terrier but only for travelling, our present cairn dosent have one and wife hates them, her cousin uses one for her family dog and the poor thing is locked away most of the day-cant see the point in having a dog in those circumstances. our cairn sleeps on our bed when we are out, or on her own bed in the bedroom at night. the only emergency place around here would be a motel just off the dual carriageway but in a BO event we have other plans- BOL!!

 

http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay...eId=10151&productId=4726439&catalogId=10051&cmRelshp=req&rel=nofollow&cId=PDIO1

They have differing sizes.

Used one to transport puppies. :thumb:

 

http://www.gumtree.com/pet-equipment-accessories/london/dog+crate

http://www.croftonline.co.uk/

http://www.doglistener.co.uk/search/node/crate

http://www.city-dog.co.uk/blog/at-home/hiding-your-dogs-crate-in-plain-sight/

http://www.muddypaws.co.uk/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=crate&x=0&y=0

http://www.pet-supermarket.co.uk/Search/crate

Finally, of course, there is Amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1/279-0675569-1098821?url=search-alias%3Dpets&field-keywords=small+dog+crate

Bunkerbuster, I strongly doubt there is a Lowe's store in the London, England metropolitan area.

Purdybear, the small ones should be fine. In fact, if your baby boy doesn't chew on things much, a soft-sided one with a big handle or carry strap should be fine. He's probably no more than a foot tall and weighs 20-25 lbs., right? Don't get too large of one. The proper size allows a dog too stand up and turn around without being cramped. A crate can be too large - one of the proper reasons for using a crate is to potty-train a dog. Dogs will not toilet where they sleep unless sick or have absolutely no other choice. Having too large of a crate can allow a dog to poop or pee in the far corner and still, in their mind, not be toileting where they sleep.

Regardless of what Big Paul thinks, crate-training a dog is essential to good house manners. Dogs are nesters...which means that they like to have a nest or a spot to bed down that is theirs, that is comfortable, and that is safe. Once a dog is properly crate-trained, having the crate in the corner of a room with the door standing open provides a dog that safe retreat. Ask ANY competent dog trainer (on any continent) and they will tell you the same thing.

Things to think about....

 

Regardless of what Big Paul thinks, crate-training a dog is essential to good house manners. Dogs are nesters...which means that they like to have a nest or a spot to bed down that is theirs, that is comfortable, and that is safe. Once a dog is properly crate-trained, having the crate in the corner of a room with the door standing open provides a dog that safe retreat. Ask ANY competent dog trainer (on any continent) and they will tell you the same thing.

Things to think about....

absolute rubbish, dog crates started on the other side of the pond and are a terrible invention. a good dog trainer does not have to resort to such things, and I have shown dogs in the past. all a dog needs is a bed of its own out of the way of "through" traffic. if people have to resort to such an item for every day use then they are not a good dog trainer.

 

When you stay in a hotel put up the "do not disturb" sign. Hotels do not allow you to leave your dogs unattended.

 

We have the natures miracle port-a-crates for our pugs. They are soft sided and fold up nicely. We use these when we go camping. They have different sizes based on your needs. Check petsmart. I think you can get them on amazon also.

 

Purdy...
I have both wire and fabric. I take the fabric ones when I go to dog shows/stay in motels. Holly, (dog in my avatar) wrecked the front of her fabric crate when she was a puppy so now I make sure the dogs are crate trained in wire crates before I start using the fabric ones. If you go with the fabric ones, make sure they are stitched well and the zippers are heavy duty

 

Crate training and having dog crates are practical safety measures for a multitude of reasons.
Aside from the typical house-training of a puppy....

Dog crates keep your dog safe from others
Dog crates keep others safe from your dog


In regards to keeping others safe from your dog, your dog may very well not be aggressive in any way, but aggression is not the only thing to protect from.
a.) toddler or young children visitors who may be accidentally tail-whipped or knocked down by a dog.
b.) visitor who may be severely allergic to canine saliva and cannot risk being licked or sniffed (and potentially touched by drool.) (I specify saliva and not hair/dander because that is going to be present everywhere in the house of a dog-owner..so ppl w/ severe hair/dander allergies should not enter the house. I personally know one lady who is fine with hair/dander but does have extreme allergic reactions to dog saliva.)
c.) visitors who are terrified, just plain terrified of dogs. Some of my friends are, I still like them to come visit me, but I must put my dogs up when they do.


Keeping your dog safe from others
a.) babies, toddlers, children... if someone else's children are visiting my home and are not under eagle-eye supervision, I want my dogs crated and not accessible by children....too many horror stories of what kids have done to pets.
b.) utility/repair person in the house, I don't know them, they don't know me or my dogs, I feel best having most of my dogs put up, maybe keep just one big one out with me...just in case utility person is a predator 0.o besides, you never know when these people are going to leave the door/gate open.
c.) should the authorities ever visit my house for any reason, I want to be able to put my dogs into a place where they can be safe. I once managed a show breeding kennel for an AKC Judge, she told me once that she had been downstairs in her nightclothes tending to a female in whelp when an officer came down her stairs, in her house, with his gun drawn, apparently a 911 call had been made, saying there was an intruder in a house, however the officer was at the wrong residence. However the officers insisted on doing a sweep of the house to make sure anyways. They allowed her to put her dogs in their crates before doing their search.
Also, if something happens to you and you end up in the hospital, unable to communicate, authorities will visit your home to notify any other potential residents and if you have pets in your home and no one is available to take care of them (or no obvious information left for officers to contact someone to take care of pets,) then dog warden or animal welfare people will be called to take the animals out of the house and care for them. It is in your pets' best interests to be familiar with crates.

Also, if you have more than 2 dogs...or even 2, you may need to have 1 or more dogs crated when not supervised so that there is not a dogfight when you are gone.

I really enjoy having my dogs as housepets, I like leaving one or two free to roam the house when I'm not present, however for my dogs' well being, all of them are crate trained and kennel trained as well as house trained. I cannot predict my entire life, should something happen that my dogs must be put in crates or a kennel, then it would make it that much easier for them if they were already familiar and comfortable with being crated or kenneled.
As for travelling...wire crates can be folded down and take up less room. plastic crates may offer a little more safety if there was a car wreck or falling debris. I am not very good myself at always crating my dogs for car travel, but should I be involved in an auto accident, or even pulled over by antsy police... my dogs would be so much safer in a crate in the vehicle, if not that then at least in a harness and buckled in.

Fabric crates IMO...(unless we are talking a tiny dog carrier carried like a purse)...are nearly useless, in disaster situations dogs may need to be transported by carrying it in it's crate, which cannot happen with fabric crates. Plastic airliner crates are best in this situation.

 

I also agree that crate training is a good way to go. I have two miniature English Bull Terriers, a very stubborn breed, and have all my life had "bully" breeds. The crate is really big and before we built the shed it would sit in the spare bedroom with the gate open, my female would sometimes go in there and lay in it for no other reason than she just wanted to. It had a bed in it, I imagine it resembled a cave to her.

 

Bunkerbuster, I strongly doubt there is a Lowe's store in the London, England metropolitan area.

I doubt it also. :

My post was about "Go Pet Club Folding Pet Crates" , which stores in UK do carry.

 

We have the metal fold down ones. Works great and takes up little space when folded.

 

Greensheperdess....
I agree 100% with your entire post.

My 3 dogs are free all the time in the house EXCEPT when the female comes into heat. Then she likes her crate to stay away from the boys. And the boys are then crated when I'm not home to avoid any fighting (all 3 are intact). They each have their own crate in the car too.

Fabric crates work good in a hotel room and ringside..much easier to have the crate shoulderstrapped over one shoulder and the dog's leash in your other hand than lugging around a metal crate or even wheeling it around on a crate dolly. Been there, done that, hated it.

 

Seems Like Part of Having an Adaptable Dog...

My dogs have all been well-mannered "urban" dogs...once I get them to that point. As soon as they get to that point--never on the furniture, don't touch my things unless asked, ring a bell to go out, do their business in one designated spot--they have the run of the house.

But they are all crate trained, and some--especially the guard breeds, I find--like to go into their kennels to chill. I never use it as punishment, but will put them away if someone visits who is afraid of dogs or if there is a visiting dog and things seem to be getting out of hand.

I also have "dog seat belt harnesses" but if there is luggage that could crush the dog in a car accident, I prefer to carry them in a kennel on car trips, as I think it offers them more protection. Actually they seem to love this, and will climb inside and sit with the door and tailgate open for as long as it takes until we are ready to go.

Finally, if something happens to me and someone else has to handle or transport the dogs, I know they will go in the crate willingly, feel safe, and not stress out about the things going on around them.

So while they are pups it is a convenience to me, but when they are older it is a kindness to the dog to have had plenty of good experiences being crated.

 

Containment of some kind for your pets is essential to a bug out scenario.

One of the things I picked up was a miniature tent designed as a play tent for kids but fully waterproofed and such and all vented windows (as well as door) can be zip covered with flaps.

I also have a plastic fold up animal carrier, but it will either hold both my dogs, or my cat, so I need to expand on this.

Keep in mind, most Red Cross and other such facilities will not let pets inside.


And for those who think "no reason to ever contain my pet" you need to consider that you cannot predict how they will react to stress, let alone the assorted conditions that may occur in a bug out. There are MANY potential reasons to contain a pet in a bug out: their own safety, prevent them running off in strange surroundings, they might be injured, they WILL be stressed, etc etc.

 

Containment of some kind for your pets is essential to a bug out scenario..

Very true for house dogs and/or dogs with little or no obedience training.

A harness & leash (sometimes a muzzle also) is often sufficient for well trained guard type dogs, as ours are. I trust my dog more than I trust most people. He is also a good judge of character. If he alerts & stays that way, or hackles raise as a stranger approaches, there is a good reason not to trust that person.

I truly believe he can "sense" if a stranger might do me/him/us harm.

 

And for those who think "no reason to ever contain my pet"

If your dog ever has to have TPLO surgery, you are going to need him/her quiet for 6 weeks. Have to take outside on a leash to go potty, can't do walks, can't play, etc. If your dog is not crate trained, how do you intend to keep him/her from moving around while he/she heals? (Not even in a SHTF situation) Dogs need to be crate trained

 

that's the problem with trying to explain my feelings as an Englishman on an American forum, its to do not only with the language but also the culture. dog crates are a fairly new thing in Britain and mostly seem to be used by the lazy who cant be bothered to train their dogs or their kids. I was brought up all my life with dogs and apart from some dog show people who use a travelling BOX not a crate for in their vehicle it is something that you only see in what I might call lower class households where neither the dog or the kids are trained. shutting a dog away in a metal crate is to me an utterly horrible thing to do and smacks of uncaring for the animal, but that's just me and how I was brought up, dogs were and are part of the family, not something to be locked away when you've grown tired of playing with it.

 

I agree with you as far as, some folks abuse the crate scenario to the detriment of their dog. I myself have never used crates. But I also agree with others here that crates are an excellent solution when properly used.

I plan to buy one just in case I ever have to stay in a shelter (something I would try to avoid at all costs).

JUST REALIZED THIS IS AN OLD THREAD _ SORRY!

 

that's the problem with trying to explain my feelings as an Englishman on an American forum, its to do not only with the language but also the culture. dog crates are a fairly new thing in Britain and mostly seem to be used by the lazy who cant be bothered to train their dogs or their kids. I was brought up all my life with dogs and apart from some dog show people who use a travelling BOX not a crate for in their vehicle it is something that you only see in what I might call lower class households where neither the dog or the kids are trained. shutting a dog away in a metal crate is to me an utterly horrible thing to do and smacks of uncaring for the animal, but that's just me and how I was brought up, dogs were and are part of the family, not something to be locked away when you've grown tired of playing with it.

Hopefully, they will figure things out and use crates as they are intended to be used. Crates are a great when used properly

 

We also have to remember, we cannot predict how a dog (no matter how well trained) is going to respond in the stress of a bug out scenario.

Depending on the nature of the event, and what happens in the aftermath, they could go nuts with stress. They will be jumping at all the strange and different. Could be an earthquake, wildfire, flood, who knows what the scenario will be and what sort of stressors they will be dealing with.

A leash is only as good as the strength and attention of the person holding it. I guarantee that, if a big dog tries hard enough to pull free of the leash, you will have to make the decision between follow, get pulled over, let go, or get panic bit. None of those are good in a SHTF scenario.

Don't trust a leash.

 

There are dogs,

And then there are well trained dogs.

My “dog” is at the top of the class of well trained dogs (for my purposes).

STRESS: he has head on averted 3 separate bear attacks, stopped a burglary in progress, confronted armed gunmen (bikers, meth lab operators & pot growers), been on successful search/rescue missions, alerted me to injured hikers, quickly found children who wandered off in less than desirable conditions & terrain, saved a child from being rattlesnake bitten, saved my campsite from being pillaged more than once, remained obedient in up close forest fire conditions, remained obedient on high stress light aircraft & helicopter rides & reacted as I wanted in a host of other high stress conditions.

He has so many good ingrained traits that I acquired a female dog much like him, so I could breed them to have another generation of his puppies.

Eyes just beginning to open.

Don't trust a “leash” if you don’t trust your dog.

I "trust" mine.

 

Big Paul. We have a tiny dog who is trained. He knows what hw can and cannot do and we do not have to tell him. The only reason he is crated (night only during the winter) is because he is becoming blind and deaf. We crated him as a pup until he learned the ropes, then.it was the only placw he would sleep and now its a necessity. He becomes scared when woken from his sleep quickly and we do not want butten.

Not all pet parents are lazy and there are circumstances that warrant the use and training of a crate.

 

I was brought up with dogs and have had dogs most of my life, these crates never existed back then and since they made an appearance in this country have become the easy answer to dog training by the lazy dog owner, far too many people use them as a remedy for controlling their dogs when they cant be bothered to train them properly, usually the same people who see them as a "status symbol" rather than as a pet, a member of the family, that's my experience anyway.

 

Could one recommend state of the art, top of the line soft foldable crate for dogs (border terrier size?)

Im looking for good durability, and as lightweight as possible for the purposes of BO. If money were no obstacle, which ones are among the best in these respects?



Many thanks in advance, hope it is suitable to ask here. (Wasn't sure whether to open a new thread, this one appears to have derailed from original post...)

 

Some shelters do accept pets -- but they generally require them to be caged/crated and in a separate room. [Some are organized enough that dogs and cats are in separate rooms.]

Schools are often hurricane shelters in FLA.

They won't allow them leashed. [Though they will allow you to use a leash in the dog room and to take them outside to a designated area -- Hurricanes go through fast and the walkie walkies can start up just as fast.]

You need all their veterinary paperwork! And sometimes you need to sign up at the location ahead of time.

Oh. And you need to bring your food and water dishes and FOOD. That isn't supplied at shelters. Ditto with kitty litter. [there generally is enough water short term -- though it wouldn't hurt to have some in your car].

And since LOTS of people will forget the FOOD and Kitty litter you will either have to sit on it in the people section, or be expected to share it out. Recommend you leave much of it in your vehicle [unless the parking lot is the subject to flooding].

P.S. you will have no idea of how long you will stay in the shelter until after folks look around after the storm passes. Shelter may be fine, your neighborhood under 3 feet of water [which can go down in days, sometimes]. Roads might not be cleared -- though they like to clear to the shelters as soon as possible.

You might want to consider that after going to the shelter you will have to travel to somewhere else after that. [Think of the people after the tsunamie and nuclear power plants in Japan].

Or Charlie. Lots of folks had to relocate after that. Then there is Katrina.

If you are lucky you will have access to motels. If not you will have to hopscotch you way via shelters.

You might not even have your vehicle functioning [flooding parking lot] and have to use whatever is cobbled together. After Katrina they did learn that people would stay behind with their animals if given no choice. Now most areas are set their planning to include 'animal' buses where you travel with your crated animal [they just can't have a bunch of loose animals on say a school bus] to your next location.

Crate or two. Food. Water. Kitty Litter. And whatever YOU are taking for yourself.

 

I don't like soft-sided carriers, especially for use as a temporary home. Not secure (think chewing and theft), and hard to keep clean/sanitize.

I like the plastic Vari Kennels even though they aren't foldable for longer term because they are easier to clean and sanitize then either the metal folding crates or the fabric carriers, and they can be locked with padlock(s). If it doesn't fit inside your vehicle, you'll have to put it on top or on a bumper platform or in/on a trailer

If you want a collapsible crate, get a metal one with the double tray floor (easier to clean/sanitize), plus get the cover so you can reduce the wind/cold/prying eyes/overstimulation factors, extra food and water bowls, and extra towels, blankets, and/or pad(s). Bring locks

Someday, maybe they'll make a collapsible, lockable crate made out of sturdy plastic like the Vari Kennel.

 

Pink Grapefruit - it's worth having a look at Amazon for reviews for crates. The thing about soft sides crates is if your dog is a chewer then it wont stay in it for long. As with any crate or stroller/trailer it will take some training for them to use it, don't just shove them in and expect them to be happy.

Also check out You Tube, as there are plenty of videos about crates, strollers etc.

For my own purposes I went with a small stroller which has detachable wheels, so I can use it both as a crate and for travelling with. My dog is getting old and would find a days walking quite hard.

Here's the link for Amazon UK's list for soft back crates
http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=sr_nr...te,p_72:419153031&keywords=dog+soft+crate&ie=UTF8&qid=1449394927&rnid=419152031

Amazon USA list for the same

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_nr_p...,p_72:2661618011&keywords=dog+soft+crate&ie=UTF8&qid=1449395028&rnid=2661617011

For strollers in the USA Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_n...noss_2?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=dog+stroller&rh=i:aps,k:dog+stroller


For sizing, the dog should be able to sit down, lay down and turn around in the stroller.

Here is a video on how to measure your dog for a crate, this works for both soft and hard crates as well as strollers and trailers:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hj8qiEJH7e4


Crate training your dog:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQ7evQmSWYk