2 dogs, 2 crates, 2 sizes...

[Fixer]

I have a 6y 10 mo old spayed female TM named Djouli, 90 pounds, and a 10 month old intact male TM Reilly, 100 pounds. He didn't fit into the XL Vari-Kennel so I bought a Giant Vari-Kennel. I have been slowly working on them getting used to being in there, and they will now sleep in there on and off, as well as following commands to go in and lay down to get their treats. Neither one likes being locked in but we're working on that one. I also have two 54" Midwest iCrate wire crates that I keep outside in the dog run (I did add a tarp over those for shade & rain cover).

How exclusive should I make each crate? Djouli has taken to laying down in Reilly's crate, but since he doesn't fit in hers, I have been trying to shoo her out. Am I on a fools errand there, should I just let them figure it out, or can I convince each on which crates are theirs?

 

[nikkita]

WARNING: There is one thing you have to be concerned about when crating your dog. Make sure your dog's collar and/or tags can't get caught in any openings or the door of the crate, especially if it's a small dog. It might be a freak accident, but a small dog that is jumping around could possibly hang itself if the collar or tags would happen to "catch" on something. .!

 

[Bentley]

I would suggest letting them sort it out but keeping a quiet eye on things incase territorial issues start occuring or one of them becomes too possesive. This is a general opinion however as my knowledge of TMs is sadly limited.

 

[PuppyPaws]

I would probably agree with Bentley. If the one is using the larger crate only when your around and Reilly doesn't care and isn't wanting to use at that same time, I would just let it go with the "quiet eye" as mentioned. Then when you need them to go in and stay in, you can be more specific with where you send them. Just a thought.

 

[Fixer]

there haven't been any issues so far, neither have taken any kind of pride of ownership over either one. I just got the "Crate Games" book & dvd so I'll be doing more crate training, but for now it's been a nightly routine of come to me, sit, down, "go relax" (my command for going to their crates) and then I close the door and give them a treat thru the wire, then open the door and repeat a few times. They have caught on well and have started going directly to crates each evening. Last night, Djouli got to the bigger crate and settled in first, and Reilly just went to the smaller crate without a bother. He fits in there, just not quite enough space when I actually need to close him in.

 

[Fixer]

They have figured out which crates I expect them each to use, and just occasionally pay visits to each other's world to see how it's going in there. Reilly is handling daytimes in the crate very well, and I have much less random destruction to worry about

 

[GibsonSG]

Sounds kind of like the situation at my house... pretty sure my dogs are nuts.... I do not understand how the DDB is able to get into the beagle's crate and turn around... but she does: