hiya,

I`ve been coming here here for several weeks now, and what a great place, full of information!

can anyone one advise me on what size of crate i need for a cocker spaniel?
i have visited numerous sites and they all have different sizes that they suggest would be ideal!

thanx...

Argos sell a good sized crate, item number 870/2135 which I've got for my cocker spaniel. It's about £40 and is easy to clean.

HTH,

Fiona
x x x

Hiya Fiona,

thanks for that, does your cocker have plenty of room??
"the puppy" would only be in the crate when i have to do the school run, so he/she will not be in there for a long time! and at night, of course...

thanx...

Hi Willow, I have the Argos one as well for my cocker and one as well for my little springer, I thought I would have to buy bigger as they matured, but it is still the perfect size - I would say it would be perfect for you - it is a good price too,very sturdy, the only prob I have encountered is , if you put it up and down loads, the 'tabs' that hold it open in place at the top of the cages (at each end) can snap off, mine haven't but a friends' have, she puts a small padlock on now to hold it in place - but hers are up and down constantly - oh , and getting my finger trapped in the cage when I first put it up :D :D and having to shout to hubby to come and rescue me!!! HTH Julie:)

hiya,
wow, i knew this was a good idea!
thanks for that, now i have sorted the crate all i need to do is find a puppy!
we are thinking of a cocker spaniel, about next march.
i`ve heard breeders have long waiting lists, would now be a good time to get our names down??
thanx...

Hiya,

Holly has plenty of room in the crate - especially as she's only 14 and a bit inches to the shoulder - and there's even enough room in there for the dog and two of the children :D

Fiona
x x x

Hi, I have been advised to consider this crate for miniature schnauzer pup - which is excellent advise as it is far less costly than similar items I've seen elsewhere. Just wanted to ask what the best type of bed is to place inside the crate??

Thanks

I found VetBed the best. I bought a large piece and cut it up to fit, so that I had always had a clean piece ready. It is easy to wash and dry and our puppy didn't seem too inclined to chew it (although she did try :) ). If you put the crate somewhere draft free, they don't really need anything else.

Daisy

I have the Argos crate too - it is very good value.

Hi Karen,
Honestly, I don't think it matters what you choose to use :) I've pretty much done everything -- 'crate' foam under a pillowcase designed for people, towels (summertime), Dog crate foam pads, "Sheepskin" doggy blankets.. etc... Your imagination is limitless and goes along with your budget :)
I've even put in a large foamy dog bed. I discovered that the girls loved to make a nest with it despite only having about 2-3 inches for head clearance. They figured this out when I stuffed one into their crate while I was vaccuming. They liked that through the winter time a couple of years ago.

Currently in our 'small' crate that's used for night-time snoozing, there's an old people pillow with a pillow case on it, a small towel wrapped around, and a soft blanket caught up in between the screws where the Crate assembles. They like the 'hammock' effect and whoever gets to that bed first, sleeps there. Sometimes there's a bit of squabbling and they've even managed to fit in there together :EEK: :D :D :D I cover whoever's there with a cheap polartec fleece because unless it's freezing, there's no heat in the bedroom.

The other sleeps under the nightstand snuggled into a big comfy Berber-fleece ball with a 'sheepskin' blankey over her :) Well, until hubby leaves for work at 4:15am..then they both ooze under my comforter to lie against my feet :) :)

When Holly was a pup she slept on newspaper with several layers of kitchen roll underneath to soak up any accidents. Other people I know use the Pampers Care Mats but as I wouldn't let them near the children I certainly won't let them near a puppy.

Now she's older she sleeps on several towels and a really manky fleece baby blanket which she loves :) I tried using vet bed but it kept slipping everywhere and I'd always find her scrunched up in the corner away from her vet bedding.

Some people use cot duvets to go in a crate - these are great as long as the puppy doesn't chew things - as they can be popped in the machine and wash really well.

HTH,

Fiona
x x x

Dear all,

thanks again for all the brilliant advice. We have a washable cot quite and cot fleece (which my daughter of almost 6 is willing to donate) and I will keep these ready, also might try the VetBed (suggestions of the best place to get this would be great).

I have read books and threads on here and think I have now got the crate idea clear in my head. Am I right in thinking that when a pup, I should place her in the crate for short periods of (sleep) time several times during the day and ensure that every hour or so I take her out for 'toilet' and then have play, fun, & food time etc. During the night, I could place her in the crate with the door open in a suitable room where we could have paper etc. near to the door.

The purpose of the crate being to help with house training and avoiding unsupervised chewing etc, when I am out or busy working in the house. I am not used to the crate idea, but can see the benefits, also we want to take the puppy on hols during the summer so a crate would be v. useful.

Any other useful tips on crate would be v. worthwhile. i have read the Perfect Puppy, but again the advise is quite limited.

(Apologies Willow, I seem to have taken over your thread!!)

K.

I preferred to keep the crate shut at night - particularly useful when they start chewing :) If you can get to a Dog Show, you can buy VetBed in large pieces there or I found Stock Nutrition very good http://www.stocknutrition.co.uk/ (hope that this link works :) ). My experience was that my puppy chewed my older dog's quilted type bedding to bits very quickly (which hasn't/won't be replaced until I am 100% certain that it won't get shredded again :) ).

Daisy

Daisy,

Than ks - it did work!

K.

I am wondering what size cage people use/recommend for a cocker spaniel when travelling in the car. We will have a pen in our kitchen but when travelling we want him in the boot and are not sure what size cage is appropriate.

Any feedback would be great.

Thanks

30 inch crate would be nice and roomy
That would be roughly 30inch long 21 wide and 24 high.

30" x 21" x 22" a perfect size for a cocker if a cage has to be used.

I use vet bed too and use the type with the rubber backing that stop it from scrunching up. Brill too if you put your crate in the car as there is no sliding around when you turn corners.