So we have decided to get a new crate for our little angel Lexi.

We currently have 2 crates, a 36" and a 42".
The strength on the 36" inch is pretty good... But it has a metal pan which she likes to bend and is now unsafe. Brand is unknown (got it from a friend).
The 42" has a plastic pan (which seems to be better), but the bars seem to bend and come apart a little easier. Brand is Petmate (from walmart).

Anyways, we want something REALLY strong, probably with a plastic pan, and I think the 36"/37" is a better size for her (42" is quite massive). I don't really care about folding. Also I have been told to spend less than $200... (note: that includes shipping to Canada if it isn't available locally).

About Lexi - she has some separation anxiety (we are working on it) and loves to pull and push on the crate door with some serious force. She is also very smart and quite often I find 1 of the 2 latches on the 42" crate undone.

Any recommendations!?!?

I was looking at this Midwest Ultima Pro Series as it is supposedly stronger... BUT the door latches worry me a little... 1 latch on each door? And I'm not sure how secure the latches are... Anyone have a midwest with an escape artist?

http://www.amazon.com/Midwest-Ultima-Series-Crate-Inches/dp/B002IQDCR2


Any other options?

Thanks!
Scott

Most people use carabiners (or use zip ties) to secure the doors even more. Sometimes even all around it to hold it together better.

I personally don't know about a STRONG metal crate, but there are things you can do to reinforce them to make them stronger.

Haha well I'm glad I'm not the only one with this problem.

I have been using a zip-tie on the door to keep it closed (and less bent), but it is a pain to have to cut and use a new one every time. Plus it seems kinda wasteful. Perhaps I will give the carabiner a try for the door...

Any suggestions on carabiners? Do those cheap ones work? Or mini ones? Or do I need a proper climbing one?

(Still looking for suggestions on crates as well )

Thanks!
Scott

Oh ya she has also wrecked a plastic airline crate before... It only had the cutout 'window' though... She just ripped the plastic there. Perhaps one with a metal window would work better?

*sigh*

Scott

I use a Vari-Kennel Ultra which is a plastic one. Very happen with it. We bought it after Lola destroyed a metal one. So we got the Vari-kennel because our dog trainer recommended it.

Scott+Lexi wrote:

Haha well I'm glad I'm not the only one with this problem.

I have been using a zip-tie on the door to keep it closed (and less bent), but it is a pain to have to cut and use a new one every time. Plus it seems kinda wasteful. Perhaps I will give the carabiner a try for the door...

Any suggestions on carabiners? Do those cheap ones work? Or mini ones? Or do I need a proper climbing one?

(Still looking for suggestions on crates as well )

Thanks!
Scott

I recommend the cheap ones as long as you can twist them to lock. Maggie is the queen of escaping crates and she can open the ones that don't lock.

She finally stays in her crate again. lol

I have two savic crates which seem to be okay, if you are not folding it a way frequently I would suggest adding a few cable ties on each side of the fold away ends for additional support.

As for the keeping the gate locked, would a cheap padlock also work.

Soooo... I decided to try to cover Lexi's crate (again). In the past I have tried loose sheets or towels, and it always ended poorly. This time I deiced to give it one last try, if it didn't work, then she just doesn't like her crate to be covered.
I took an old flat sheet and very methodically taped the sheet to the crate... It was a very nice job and was totally taut all the way around. I was very happy with it and figured that this would give it is best shot, as maybe she wouldn't be able to get a hold of it.
*sigh*
We were gone a couple hours... by the time we got back, she had ENTIRELY removed the sheet. I mean before hand it was taped in at least 30 or so places... By the time we got back, there was only ONE piece of tape still connected to the sheet and crate. I really wish I had taken before and after shots... Ah well.
On the up side, she didn't seem to eat any of it, just destroyed it. And really I was kinda expecting the result, so I didn't get upset... though Sara did (usually it is the other way around) But really it was an old sheet and I wasn't worried about it getting wrecked...


I have an old proper carabiner that I found and tried it on the crate door. So far so good!
Thanks for the suggestions!


We are still looking at a new crate... so keep the crate suggestions or recommendations coming!

Thanks
Scott

I've seen this crate in the Pet Edge catalog I get, and it looks like a jail cell! They say its super strong, but I'm sure its not cheap.

Here's the link
http://www.petedge.com/product/Home-Kennel/Cages-Crates/Cages-Crates/ProSelect-Empire-Dog-Cages/pc/194/c/310/sc/502/45512.uts

could you use chipboard/plywood cut to size to cover the crate?

Not sure if it helps but we have noticed that the folding crates just arent as strong and we are sticking with the older drop pin style, but i couodnt tell you who would sell that type sorry.

Lu&Katsmom wrote:

I've seen this crate in the Pet Edge catalog I get, and it looks like a jail cell! They say its super strong, but I'm sure its not cheap.

Here's the link
http://www.petedge.com/product/Home-Kennel/Cages-Crates/Cages-Crates/ProSelect-Empire-Dog-Cages/pc/194/c/310/sc/502/45512.uts

I have seen those. And I would love to get one... But alas, I have been told that my budget is $200, and that is no where near the budget! Thanks though!

madisonmenece wrote:

could you use chipboard/plywood cut to size to cover the crate?

Not a bad idea. Maybe I will give it a try.
Though, it doesn't seem like having the crate covered makes her any calmer... So this may not help.
Thanks though

Bella_Jasper wrote:

Not sure if it helps but we have noticed that the folding crates just arent as strong and we are sticking with the older drop pin style, but i couodnt tell you who would sell that type sorry.

Seems there are still some places that sell them, limited selection though. Thanks for the tip and I will look into it some more.

Thanks
Scott

Scott+Lexi wrote:

So we have decided to get a new crate for our little angel Lexi.

We currently have 2 crates, a 36" and a 42".
The strength on the 36" inch is pretty good... But it has a metal pan which she likes to bend and is now unsafe. Brand is unknown (got it from a friend).
The 42" has a plastic pan (which seems to be better), but the bars seem to bend and come apart a little easier. Brand is Petmate (from walmart).

Anyways, we want something REALLY strong, probably with a plastic pan, and I think the 36"/37" is a better size for her (42" is quite massive). I don't really care about folding. Also I have been told to spend less than $200... (note: that includes shipping to Canada if it isn't available locally).

About Lexi - she has some separation anxiety (we are working on it) and loves to pull and push on the crate door with some serious force. She is also very smart and quite often I find 1 of the 2 latches on the 42" crate undone.

Any recommendations!?!?

I was looking at this Midwest Ultima Pro Series as it is supposedly stronger... BUT the door latches worry me a little... 1 latch on each door? And I'm not sure how secure the latches are... Anyone have a midwest with an escape artist?

http://www.amazon.com/Midwest-Ultima-Series-Crate-Inches/dp/B002IQDCR2


Any other options?

Thanks!
Scott

I have this exact crate in the 42 size... however my guy is still very little. I do however love the crate and it seems extremely sturdy. I got mine from amazon also.

Kimber wrote:

I have this exact crate in the 42 size... however my guy is still very little. I do however love the crate and it seems extremely sturdy. I got mine from amazon also.

Great! Thanks for the input!

Scott