Midwest Life Stages Crate

Puppy Gets Crate Trained the Easy Way

Locking up my dog in a crate will never happen; our dog needs to be part of the pack. That’s what I used to say until lessons with a young blond lab taught me otherwise. Now, "Our dog goes willingly and enthusiastically into a crate and it's the best training we've ever done." 

Many misconceptions about crates exist.

I can't debunk those but I will recommend a crate and explain why. Based upon our experience and my vet’s recommendations I urge everyone adopting a puppy to invest in the Midwest Life Stages Double Door Crate. 

The Life Stages crate has a divider that allows re-sizing the interior for growing puppies. If there's too much space inside y bed inside her small, well-defined space. She was in there at night, when she needed to resour puppy will try to relieve herself in a remote corner. We placed a small dogt, and when I needed her safely from under foot or secured when away from home. She never relieved herself in the crate. We let her outdoors frequently through the day and during the night. Within two weeks she was housebroken. As she grew we moved the divider back to accommodate her larger size. The divider is a snug fit and can be a little challenging to reposition, but this also means my puppy couldn't move it. 

The crate has two doors, on the end and one side. Both doors have double slide latches. The crate is coated with a black satin electro-coat finish—I've seen no signs of any of the finish
chipping off. This comes with a "composite plastic pan" in the base for easy cleaning and to capture any possible overflows. It folds down, easily, to a portable size, but when traveling long distances this will fit in the back of my Honda Element with room on the sides of the crate for additional items. This crate is 42 inches (long) by 30 inches (tall) by 28 inches (wide), certainly large enough for a sleepy adult Labrador retriever. Midwest has a variety of crate sizes in both the double and single door models.

In Use:  We never put her in the crate when angry (How can you be angry with a beautiful 8-week old lab puppy?) Other tips: Never keep her in the crate longer than a few hours—be sure to let her socialize with the family.  Provide her with a soft toy and a chew toy.  Let her potty first before securing in the crate and reward her with a tiny treat (lure/bribe) once inside. If she goes in on her own make a celebration out of it and offer her a "best" treat.  Once she's in I often stick my head inside and whisper soothing somethings in her ears. Never take her out while she is crying.  Make sure she's safe and not hurt, but expect that the first few  nights she's going to cry for attention. It never lasted us more than 20 minutes and new parents will be familiar with the process. We always made sure she was tired at her bedtime and really ready to sleep.

She loves her crate and after just a week she was going in on her own. Today she often sleeps in the crate without being asked. When we put drops in her ears the other day she was really upset and when finished with the drops she ran for her crate and hid under her mattress. I frequently leave the house with her in the crate and the door open. No, I'm not foolish or naïve, she still doesn't have full access to the house, she looks and thinks like Marley. A baby gate keeps her in the kitchen but when I return she's sleeping in her den.

About the crate:

This is considered portable, but I consider it heavy. It weighs 50 pounds and when folded it's cumbersome. When upright it requires two to move it. There are plastic handles to help carry the crate, but they're pretty unimpressive when compared to the size of the crate. The wire gauge is sturdy and the mesh is 1 ½ x 5 7/8 inches. I've heard of dogs getting their mouths caught in the mesh, but I've studied this crate and can't see any risks for my dog. She came with a mouth that was already too large. Assembly instructions come with the crate but they're also available online at Midwest Homes 4 Pets. This was easy enough for me to assemble. I also bought this at an affordable price online at a site that offered free shipping for items over a specific price.

If you bring home a rescue dog and it's crate trained consider allowing to let it sleep in a crate. If you have a puppy, this will speed up housebreaking while providing a secure space in your busy home.

Final thoughts

Plus:    Double doors provide flexibility in placement, Sturdy, Movable wall panel

Minus: Wire mesh openings might be too large for small dogs; Crate is heavy to transport

What they're saying:  Storms frighten dogs, dogs get ill and need rest, or they need to alone time. Crate-training is a life-time necessity and this offers quality and affordable price.

Find a Midwest Crate for your pooch at eBay