changing crate

[MVons]

Is there anything special I should do when I change out Chester's day time crate? He has his medium crate for sleeping on the 2nd floor. On the 1st floor the crate was smaller and that isn't the best. This is the crate he uses during the day if I run an errand, shower, etc. So I bought the large (36" long) and I was wondering if I should have him around when I do the change, or just change it out at night when he is in bed sleeping? These are the plastic sided crates. I bought toys of course, so I will put new toys inside the new crate.

[CorgiMum]

I let my dogs watch me when I have changed their crates. I don't know if it mattered or not, but it is fun to chat and tell them what I am doing. Dylan likes to sit and watch me change the towels etc in their kennels for the laundry, I tell him that I'm the maid service.:D

To answer your question, yes, I'd let Chester watch and explain the situation to him.:)

[mtoy]

I agree, I think they understand if you show them something like that. If we put a new stuffy on the floor, Millie won't touch it. If we give it to her, she plays with (destroys) it.

Put it out and put his stuff in it and act all happy like you're giving him a million $$ home. Make a party!

[MissGambler's+Mojo'sMommy]

I have a home crate, and a travel crate, but they are the exact same crate, size and everything. It's just that it's easier to have one that is always ready to grab and go(I sometimes have to go to CA with less than 24 hrs notice), instead of having to collapse their crate, or worse, having to take the time to set it all up again when I return home(this way, when we return, they can go right in their crate, no waiting). The reason that I mention this is that even though they are the same, when the travel crate is set up, Miss Gambler, and now Mojo, always acts unsure, and they don't want to go in at first. One of those things that I don't understand. So, yes, let them watch because little things like that matter to them and can set them off :EEK:.

[MVons]

Oh good, I'll take a photo of Chester in old crate and Chester in new crate, retrieving treats (kibble) from the back. Now for the UPS delivery....sigh.

[Sizzledog]

I think as long as you don't make a big deal about it, he'll be fine. All of mine could care less about crate switches.... none of them like the plastic crates though - they don't mind size changes at all.