[doxsee]

Hi,

I'm getting a puppy this fall, and I'm taking the next couple of months to slowly get everything together for her.

I am going to use my parent's old dog crate that they don't use for their dog anymore. It's a typical wire crate with a divider so you can use it as the dog grows. It has plastic coating over the wires and there is a plastic tray in the bottom.

My question? What, if anything, should I put in the bottom of the crate? If she's like most puppies I know, she'll destroy a dog bed when left in there when I'm gone. Do you think she'll try chewing on the plastic pan in the bottom of the crate?

Thanks!

 

[Kayla's Dad]

I'm bringing my new puppy home this weekend. I have a wire crate in the bedroom and a plastic crate in the study. The regular bedding I use with Kayla are already put away. In their place I'm using old bedsheets, mattress covers and towels. Many of these I used when Kayla was going through heat periods and I kept them after she was spayed last year just for this purpose.

So, are you in mood to replace some bedding and towels in your household?

And yes, I'm going in assumimg a new puppy will attempt to chew anything and everything if I don't give him an alternative, so plan to have alternative, acceptable chew items readily available instead-and at all times.

And

on the upcoming addition to your family!

 

[onyx'girl]

I luckily have a dog that doesn't destroy her bedding. She has a lambskin type crate pad and underneath that is a rug. I use to use towels when she was a pup, and then a comforter. If your new baby chews and destroys things(you'll find out immmediately), then just the crate plastic liner would be the best thing. Good luck with the waiting, I would go NUTs in your position!!

 

[JakodaCD OA]

Masi my 11 wk old, has been great in a crate ,,She is definately an 'alligator' when it comes to chewing, however, her crate so far has been pretty safe..

I use bath mats with the rubberized backing for non skid,,so far, they've stayed intact with every puppy I've ever had. She also has stuffed toys, a chewie bone, and her kong usually goes in with her with treats in the beginning..

I think you've got to play it by ear as each puppy will be an individual when it comes to what you can or cannot put in it for a mat type thing
diane

 

[Foo Lyn Roo]

With Echo until he was older and wouldn't make in his crate he got nothing.
Then when he was confident in holding his urine we gave him an old towel.
Eventually a pillow too (he loves laying on pillows)

Now he's out of the crate.

Indigo is now in the crate and she gets nothing, we put in a towel and then a pillow for comfort as well,but she would tear at it.

 

[DSudd]

Apollo is 10 weeks tomorrow. He has had towels in his crate since the beginning. So far he has done exceptional with crate training. I think he has had two or three accidents in his crate. He also has a bone, a chew rope, and a ball.

So far he hasnt chewed up any of the towels in his crate.

When Rocky was a pup we tried the towel thing and he destroyed it. We left him on the plastic liner and he did great.

 

[LedZep]

As others have said, all puppies will be individuals, so I would recommend against spending money on bedding until you know whether it will chew (which most will). You need to worry not only about the expense and aggrivation to the chewing but also the health of the pup because it will eat whatever it chews. Avoid anything "stuffed".

My pup is 7 months old, and after learning that he destroys every type of bedding, he has only a towel in his crate.

Look for a good quality water bottle with the "hamster" style tube so the pup can have some water while in the crate. Kongs are a lifesaver!

Oh, and buy several thousand rolls of paper towels. ;-)