Crate (soft/hard), X-Pen, or...?

wildo · 05-03-2011, 02:07 PM

I did a search in the Agility section, but nothing really came up. I did see the link to GoGo crates in the tent sticky.

Question for all you seasoned agility buffs- knowing what you know now, what would be the best containment option for your adult GSD starting agility? I crate trained Pimg when she was a pup, but she hasn't been in a crate for at least 4 years now. With our first agility trial coming up in late July, I want to purchase a crate and start working some crate games.

What recommendations do you guys have? Further- how do you size the crate? Pimg is 26" at the withers, but obviously much higher at the top of her ears. I assume you want the crate taller than their ears- is there truth to that?

X-Pens could be covered with a towel or something, but I think she would jump out of it. I'll let you guys respond with your experiences, but I think this is probably not the safest route for me...

Thoughts? Thanks!

**JakodaCD OA** · 05-03-2011, 03:45 PM

how do you think she'd do in a soft crate? Mine have always been fine in soft crates and they are soooooo much easier/lighter to lug around than a wire one.

The one I have for my 26" dogs were the "Large" size..I like the soft sides cause they do 'give' if the dog wants to stretch out some..XLarge would work fine to..but I wouldn't go any smaller than the Large.

While a couple of my dogs were fine in xpens, they respected the space and never tried to jump out..OH I could see Masi doing just that

) Plus again, they are heavy to carry and transport ..I know you can get specific covers for xpens, but the ones I've seen if they want to get out they are going to.

I'd go soft side crate if you don't think she'd try to rip it by clawing at it..

Rerun · 05-03-2011, 04:22 PM

If you like the idea of an x-pen, they do make tops for them (they are wire I think).

I would not trust a soft sided crate for a dog that hadn't been crated in that long.

wildo · 05-03-2011, 04:29 PM

At a trial, are there "regulations" on how much space you are allotted? That seems like a silly question, but it seems the majority of agility dogs are smaller and perhaps it is taken for granted that a dog crate is of a specific rectangular shape? I know that at my current training facility (that holds fairly regular trials), crate space is at an absolute premium. The one and only trial I've been to- there was absolutely no room for an x-pen. How does it work? Do people get pissed if you bring an extra large crate or x-pen? Are there "unwritten rules" about this?

wildo · 05-03-2011, 04:32 PM

This would certianly be very cool haha!

Rerun · 05-03-2011, 04:33 PM

ha I'd imagine there isn't room for that kind of setup...MRL has posted videos of the crating areas and I saw big crates, I can't remember if I saw x-pens. Never been to the back stage area of a trial so I don't know...

wildo · 05-03-2011, 04:39 PM

I know... totally joking about that massive (but very awesome) contraption. Good call on the MRL video- I know the exact one you are talking about. I'll have to go back and take a look.

[EDIT]- it was this one:

You Tube

wildo · 05-03-2011, 05:44 PM

As of right now, I think I've decided on this one:

Amazon.com: Firstrax NOZTONOZ Sof-Krate Indoor/Outdoor Pet Home, Model N2-42: Kitchen & Dining

Has fantastic reviews, and one site (sitstay.com) claimed that had a 200lb person sit on the corner without it breaking. That's pretty good... The gogo one also seemed nice, but only comes in 25" high which would be too short for my pooch.

**JakodaCD OA** · 05-03-2011, 06:19 PM

I have that one for my aussie, I like that you can unzip the top

As for regs on crate sizes at trials, it depends, outside of course, I doubt there is any regulation on whether you use xpens, crates, whatever..At some inside shows I've been at, they might not allow xpens, that info should be listed in your premium.

With alot of trials, they usually allow you to set up say, the night before. If not, well if space is at a premium you gotta get there early and hope for the best

GSDElsa · 05-03-2011, 06:38 PM

I think it depends on the dog. I haven't tried a soft crate like that, only the cheaper versions. It was a complete disaster! Elsa ended up basically rolling around in it.

So I'm very wary of them! But that one is a lot nicer than what I have.

05-03-2011, 02:07 PM	#1 (permalink)
wildo Knighted Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 3,229	Crate (soft/hard), X-Pen, or...? I did a search in the Agility section, but nothing really came up. I did see the link to GoGo crates in the tent sticky. Question for all you seasoned agility buffs- knowing what you know now, what would be the best containment option for your adult GSD starting agility? I crate trained Pimg when she was a pup, but she hasn't been in a crate for at least 4 years now. With our first agility trial coming up in late July, I want to purchase a crate and start working some crate games. What recommendations do you guys have? Further- how do you size the crate? Pimg is 26" at the withers, but obviously much higher at the top of her ears. I assume you want the crate taller than their ears- is there truth to that? X-Pens could be covered with a towel or something, but I think she would jump out of it. I'll let you guys respond with your experiences, but I think this is probably not the safest route for me... Thoughts? Thanks! __________________ Willy Pimg - DOB: 2/06, CL1-R, CL1-S, CL1-F, CGC

05-03-2011, 03:45 PM	#2 (permalink)
JakodaCD OA Moderator Join Date: May 2000 Location: Old Lyme, CT USA Posts: 14,236	how do you think she'd do in a soft crate? Mine have always been fine in soft crates and they are soooooo much easier/lighter to lug around than a wire one. The one I have for my 26" dogs were the "Large" size..I like the soft sides cause they do 'give' if the dog wants to stretch out some..XLarge would work fine to..but I wouldn't go any smaller than the Large. While a couple of my dogs were fine in xpens, they respected the space and never tried to jump out..OH I could see Masi doing just that) Plus again, they are heavy to carry and transport ..I know you can get specific covers for xpens, but the ones I've seen if they want to get out they are going to. I'd go soft side crate if you don't think she'd try to rip it by clawing at it.. __________________ Diane Danger Danger vom Kleinen Hain aka Masi "Angel" Jakoda's Bewitchen Sami CD OA OAJ OAC NGC OJC RS-O GS-N JS-O TT HIC CGC "Angel" Steinwald's Four x Four CGC HIC TT Harmonyhill's Hy Jynx NA NAJ NAC NJC RS-N JS-N HIC Jakoda's Jagged Edge

05-03-2011, 04:29 PM	#4 (permalink)
wildo Knighted Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 3,229	At a trial, are there "regulations" on how much space you are allotted? That seems like a silly question, but it seems the majority of agility dogs are smaller and perhaps it is taken for granted that a dog crate is of a specific rectangular shape? I know that at my current training facility (that holds fairly regular trials), crate space is at an absolute premium. The one and only trial I've been to- there was absolutely no room for an x-pen. How does it work? Do people get pissed if you bring an extra large crate or x-pen? Are there "unwritten rules" about this? __________________ Willy Pimg - DOB: 2/06, CL1-R, CL1-S, CL1-F, CGC

05-03-2011, 04:32 PM	#5 (permalink)
wildo Knighted Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 3,229	This would certianly be very cool haha! __________________ Willy Pimg - DOB: 2/06, CL1-R, CL1-S, CL1-F, CGC

05-03-2011, 04:33 PM	#6 (permalink)
Rerun Crowned Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 5,608	ha I'd imagine there isn't room for that kind of setup...MRL has posted videos of the crating areas and I saw big crates, I can't remember if I saw x-pens. Never been to the back stage area of a trial so I don't know... Last edited by Rerun; 05-03-2011 at 04:40 PM.

05-03-2011, 04:22 PM	#3 (permalink)
Rerun Crowned Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 5,608	If you like the idea of an x-pen, they do make tops for them (they are wire I think). I would not trust a soft sided crate for a dog that hadn't been crated in that long.

05-03-2011, 05:44 PM	#8 (permalink)
wildo Knighted Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 3,229	As of right now, I think I've decided on this one: Amazon.com: Firstrax NOZTONOZ Sof-Krate Indoor/Outdoor Pet Home, Model N2-42: Kitchen & Dining Amazon.com: Firstrax NOZTONOZ Sof-Krate Indoor/Outdoor Pet Home, Model N2-42: Kitchen & Dining Has fantastic reviews, and one site (sitstay.com) claimed that had a 200lb person sit on the corner without it breaking. That's pretty good... The gogo one also seemed nice, but only comes in 25" high which would be too short for my pooch. __________________ Willy Pimg - DOB: 2/06, CL1-R, CL1-S, CL1-F, CGC

05-03-2011, 06:19 PM	#9 (permalink)
JakodaCD OA Moderator Join Date: May 2000 Location: Old Lyme, CT USA Posts: 14,236	I have that one for my aussie, I like that you can unzip the top As for regs on crate sizes at trials, it depends, outside of course, I doubt there is any regulation on whether you use xpens, crates, whatever..At some inside shows I've been at, they might not allow xpens, that info should be listed in your premium. With alot of trials, they usually allow you to set up say, the night before. If not, well if space is at a premium you gotta get there early and hope for the best __________________ Diane Danger Danger vom Kleinen Hain aka Masi "Angel" Jakoda's Bewitchen Sami CD OA OAJ OAC NGC OJC RS-O GS-N JS-O TT HIC CGC "Angel" Steinwald's Four x Four CGC HIC TT Harmonyhill's Hy Jynx NA NAJ NAC NJC RS-N JS-N HIC Jakoda's Jagged Edge

05-03-2011, 06:38 PM	#10 (permalink)
GSDElsa Crowned Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Central, NY Posts: 3,706	I think it depends on the dog. I haven't tried a soft crate like that, only the cheaper versions. It was a complete disaster! Elsa ended up basically rolling around in it. So I'm very wary of them! But that one is a lot nicer than what I have. __________________ Justine, mom to: - Elsa - BrightStar Rescue - "Da Pookins" - Medo Aritar Bastet - "The Beast From The East"

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