Is it too late to crate

[shellbell]

I would crate train her, b/c it is good for them to be comfortable in a crate. If you still want to use the laundry room, you could buy a second gate and put it in the doorway on top of the first.

[smartrock]

I like them to be crate trained because back in the day, before I knew about crate training dogs, I had a couple of dogs who did chew on woodwork, made holes in sheetrock, ripped up sofa cushions, all that good stuff. I also like to think the dogs are more calm about needing to be in a crate or smaller enclosure if they stay at the kennel or need to stay overnight at the vet. We have a 42" wire crate that either of my dogs fit comfortably (65 and 85 pounds). We learned about crates and crate trained our destructive boxers when they were over a year old. What a relief!

Just an FYI, the plastic vari-kennel we have is called a 40", but that's the outermost length of the crate. It has a 1 1/2 or 2" flange around all sides for the screws that hold the 2 halves together and the shape is slightly bulgy in the middle, so calling it 40" is deceptive. I'd say the inside floor of the crate is probably closer to 36 x 24. Lark is about 65 lbs and she sleeps in one but I wouldn't make Chase sleep in one that size, even though it says it's for dogs 70-90 lbs. vari kennel ultra large dog | Petmate

[happy_blackbird]

I agree with crate training! It was pretty difficult with Ellie (thanks, again, to everyone who helped me get through that period), but once she got the hang of it, she started going into it just to nap with the door open. I also agree with using a PuppyCam. We bought a DropCam and connected it to our wifi network so that we can watch her through our iPhones while we are not home (this is how we knew she was continuing to panic in her old set up). Now it is such a relief to see her settled and happy while I run errands! It's going to give you such peace of mind!

[Tanya]

never too late, i crate train all fosters no matter the age (most are adult). You need to desensitize and make it a good place before you just crate though. feed them in the crate, throw high valu treats, give them bones and such to chew in the crate. look up crate games on youtube and play with that too.

size: i personally prefer as big as you can accommodate My 36 pound penny is in a XXL haha (excessive it just happened to be what i had).

There is SUCH value in crate training even if you don't have to crate all the time. IF ever they are injured or need to stay at the vets. If you travel with them (hotels, other people's house). Sometimes when you move and things are not quite "in their place" or doing renos. It's a portable safe place and you don'T need to worry about them getting into trouble (cuz even if they are good in YOUR home, not always the same everywhere else). Plus if you ever need a dog sitter they may want or need to crate.

[ckfalz]

How tall is your gate?

I got this one and am very happy with it. It's taller than some.

If you get a crate, I'd go with a 42". Number of doors is up to you. Two doors can be more versatile for placement but if you know you don't need a side access a single door is fine.

Sam was a year old when I got him and he was berserker terrified on confinement but I crate trained him and he's fine with crates now. So it's never too late.

[ckfalz]

My 36 pound penny is in a XXL haha (excessive it just happened to be what i had).

There is SUCH value in crate training even if you don't have to crate all the time. IF ever they are injured or need to stay at the vets.

I agree with your comments. I crate trained Sam in a 48 inch and it was HUGE for him but it was what I had from a previous large/tall dog. Sam proved himself good without the crate right away but I wanted him OK with crates and confinement for exactly the reason you give. He'd have gone berserk if confined at the vet (and he did end up there for an injury later on).