Crate size? (poop, vets, housebreak, training)

[patriot201]

After looking at some other people's photos of their dogs' crates, I am wondering if mine is overkill for the size of my dog.

I have a medium-sized female yellow lab. She is only about 52-54 pounds, but VERY trim, so is about the size of a typical 60-65-pounder.

I have two crates for my dog.

• One is her "full-time" crate and is HUGE. It is 42" x 38" x 21". This is the crate she is in whenever I am not home, but only if I am planning on being gone more than a couple of hours. She LOVES her crate and will sometimes go in there to "hang out" with the door left open. Her "full-time" crate is decked out for her-- it has a waterproof bed (important because she has a bladder issue), toys (though she doesn't play with them during the day, she likes to rest her head on her favorites. They are her "lovies."), and is completely covered to make it "den-like."

• Her other crate is her "travel" crate. It is 34" x 30" x 21". This is the crate she uses if she has to go stay with my parents or someone else. This one collapses down into a carry bag and is super-lightweight. Her "travel" crate only has a crate pad in it. She fits in this crate, but it doesn't give her a lot of extra space. She can stand up, turn around, and lay back down, but it is a tight fit. This is definitely more of an "emergency" crate.

She also has a bed in my bedroom, a bed in the basement, and is allowed free-roam of the main and upper floors when I am home.



This photo is similar to the way my dog fits in her "full-time" crate. She has loads of space.
This photo is similar to the way my dog fits in her "travel" crate. She doesn't have a ton of space, but she isn't crammed, either.



So, my question is about her "full-time" crate. Is it just way too big? She can stand up in it and have about 9-10 inches above her. She has tons of front-to-back and side-to-side room, as well.

Am I doing something wrong by giving her that much space? I keep noticing photos in which dogs have little space in their crates.

[subject2change]

She's fine and I'm sure she appreciates the extra room to stretch out. The only time a crate can be too big is when you're trying to housebreak a dog. Then you don't want to leave enough room to pee or poop at one end and still lie down on the other. Some people have smaller crates because they don't have room to put a larger one, or just because the bigger crates are more expensive.

[patriot201]

Excellent. Thank you!


Her crate is HUGE and takes up an enormous amount of space in my dining room, but its okay. I can, if necessary, fold it up and move it (though it weighs a bloody ton!).

[Dashdog]

I agree the only time a crate can be too big is when housetraining as dogs won't relieve themselves where they sleep but if a crate is too large a puppy may use part of it as a potty area.

I think having a larger crate is nice for the dog when it will be in a crate for several hours. I have a larger wire crate like yours that Dash liked and at agility I can actually put two dogs in it at the same time. I also have a smaller plastic crate that Jazz loved and now Chaos uses it at night when I am home. Dazzle sleeps on my bed being the creature of comfort and cuddle bug he is but Chaos gets the crate as I do like to get some sleep. Until I trust a dog I have always used the larger wire crate when I go out as it just gives them more room, Right now everyone is trust worthy so crates are left open.

[safak]

a crate too big?

this one is 54 " long x 37" wide x 45" tall and i had to get rid of some dining room furniture. (and its not really for the tiny one but the one peeking in from the right).

if they can't stand straight up and turn around without smushing against the crate, its too small i think.

[DawnMTL]

She's happy? You're happy? It's all good.

Artie's crate is way too big for him too. Like your girl, Artie only goes in there when he wants some "me" time to himself, just to hang out. I was going to say the door is always open, but earlier this week, I managed to pry the door off since it's never closed anyway.

As Dashdog said, the sizing is only important when you're housebreaking them. Especially with your girl's bladder issue, I'd think the bigger the crate, the better. Let them be comfy, I say.

[patriot201]

Thank you!

She does occasionally pee in her crate, but it isn't a housebreaking issue or a behavioral issue. She can't help her bladder leaking more than she can help shedding.

Generally the leaking happens when she has, for whatever reason, only partially emptied her bladder outside. She will go through weeks or even months of doing GREAT and having no leaking, then will go through weeks or even months of refusing to fully empty her bladder, which leads to constant accidents. I've spoken to many vets and trainers about this and everyone is perplexed. But her ENTIRE litter was/is like this. Weird, huh?

[patriot201]

Originally Posted by DandJ

Especially with your girl's bladder issue, I'd think the bigger the crate, the better. Let them be comfy, I say.

Thank you! I want her to be happy.

[DawnMTL]

Originally Posted by patriot201

Thank you!

She does occasionally pee in her crate, but it isn't a housebreaking issue or a behavioral issue. She can't help her bladder leaking more than she can help shedding.

That's exactly what I thought. That's why my only concern was for her comfort and happiness.

[crock99]

Like everyone else has said, size of the crate is only an issue with housebreaking or dealing with behavioral issues. The smaller crates will eliminate room for the dog to go to the bathroom, then sleep away from it. Since you have beds throughout the house, the dog should have no problem in a larger crate.