Travel/Collapsible Crates

[disraeli ears]

Since I am going to be traveling with the dogs for 3 days in my Nissan Altima (and space will be at a premium), I was wondering what you all thought of collapsible travel crates. They will also probably have to spend the days in these crates at our new apartment (until the movers come).
The biggest worry I have is that the dogs will chew on them when left alone. They are not usually chewers but they have always been in hard/wire crates.
Anybody have any suggestions/experience?

[corgimom]

Do you have a soft crate already?

If you look in the crate training thread, Emilie posted a link whre she got hers from.

I don't have one for Cody, but I would like one - I don't think he would chew on it, because he has never been a chewer.

[Jespah]

Do they normally travel in crates in the car Tana?? When we go for long car trips packed to the hilt, I pack soft things on the floor in the back seat up to the level of the seat. I cover the whole area with an old blanked which gives the dogs lots of space. I use the seat belt and a shorter leash to keep them in the space, but they can makes themselves comfortable that way. Rupe like to lie on his back feet up on long trips - he's weird - I know.

Susan and Jessica have the soft crates for kennelling when travelling - they brought them to CT when we all stayed in the motel.

[Dillydoodle]

I have soft crates for my boys, neither one have ever chewed or scratched on it. If they are not chewers now, they wont suddenly chew on it, i would get them used to crates now though, giving them time to get accustomed to them and so they will be even more comfortable when the big move is there...most of the soft crates i have seen would be tough to fit in the back of an altima ( it didnt fit in the honda accord and now the volvo is even smaller so there is no chance of it fitting in there ( except collapsed in the truck LOL!) I travel with the dogs in the back seat in their harnesses and seat belts, but i have not done that for longer than a 2 hour trip.
For our long trips ( to NC which is between 8 1/2 and 12 hours depending on traffic and the number of stops we have to make) we take the suv...and we put the hammock style seat cover in there ( preventing them from being knocked to the floor - then we put their mattresses from their beds on the seats and put a blanket over that for comfort. we do not seat belt them in becuase the hammock comes up enough that they wont jump over it into the front seat. The only thing to note is that if you are traveling by car and alone i would seat belt them in the back to make sure they cannot cause trouble while you are driving but the right size crate for the corgis (to give them ample space to sprawl out ) is the 36" long one usually about 24 -27" wide depending on the brand. but the height is where you will have the biggest issue getting it in your back seat, even in a 4 door design car.

What ever you decide, i would do it sooner than later to give them time to acclimate to it all so nothing is too new and scarey for them.

Emilie

[CorgiMum]

Montrose & Dylan each have 2 hard sided crates for the van (They have travelled across N. Am from BC to Ont in them and back 5 times) They've also been sleeping in two hard sided kennels since they were pups.

Last spring when Dylan had his ACL surgery I bought 2 oversized, soft sided crates as he spent most of his 4 months recovery time in one when he wasn't in the x-pen or on a lead on my arm. And I figured that it would be more comfortable for Monty when we attended trials and seminars for Dylan. Both dogs liked them so much that I later put those into the Corgi/laundryroom for them to sleep in at night. I like that I can keep all the sides open or closed, good in the hot summers. And they fold up so easily, and go back up fast too.

For travel, in transit I think that if you can't fit in the hard sided crates, then the seat belt set up would be great, and then the soft sided kennels for long durations of being confined inside.

[sutulu]

I do not have soft crate, when I travel I bring X pens. One X pen can actually be configured into 2 crates!

I bought a cheapie softsided crate at Target and someone (?) chewed the zipper off it.

So.... I am on the hunt for leightweight collapsable crate to take to Agility trials, etc.

Who knew.... but Nylabone makes a plastic collapsable crate. Of course, everyone is soldout. From what I read it sounds like they are redesigning and putting out a new version.

This weekend I put the large wire crate in the back end of the wagon for Tucker's Agility trial. The weather was cool enough so I didn't have to worry about the car heating up. I have seen the Nylabone crate and it looks like the breeze would blow thru easily. Got lots of advice about cooling pads and I have a crate fan.

So now I am contemplating just bringing their wire crates and putting my efforts into finding something that will provide shade like a pop up cabana or lean-to.

Oh, fickle is me.....

[bunnybutts]

the soft canvas crate I bought for the Tn Picnic is from Walmart... looks a lot like Barbara's except in color and bling... picture in craft thread. :BIGGRIN"
I have it sitting out and Leah has been "training" Chloe that it is her's.

Walmart also had nylon pop up crates -maybe made for agility and such

[Bobbie]

For safety in the car, hard or wire crates are probably best. Having said that, I have to admit two of mine travel in soft crates. They are Noz2Noz N series crates, and I like them a lot. They fold easily, and two fit end to end in the passenger seat of my Subaru Forester. The only thing I don't like is that the size (the 26) is really way higher than a corgi needs. And Jack can't use one outside the car (he's okay in it in the car) because he would scratch his way out.

Btw, they aren't really soft- they have metal frames, so I can put stuff on top of them in the car (I carry my cello there.)

Bobbie

[Dillydoodle]

the one i have is:
http://www.sitstay.com/store/equip/softcrate-n.shtml
same color too!

I love it, it is the Noz 2 Noz N2 series... great great great... It folds easily but is quite sturdy, lots of ventilation ( i have a blanket that i put over the three sides to keep it dark and den like as the boys sleep in our bedroom and i like them to stay quiet and sleeping until about 6am even with the sun coming up early.

Some of the pop up crates i have seen in the store have been very flimsy... I would worry that a chewer or scratcher would ruin it in a matter of minutes.

By the way bonnie, very cool that you play cello... I play violin.

Emilie

[The Chipmunk's Mom]

T-Gal

I have bought two soft sided crates at the walmart - one small for when Chip was a baby and one regular size that always sits in the living room. One sleeps in it and the other sleeps on top of it. Kind of like bunkbeds:SMILE: I really like mine and I will probably take it to the picnic also.

[glencorgi]

Who knew.... but Nylabone makes a plastic collapsable crate. Of course, everyone is soldout. From what I read it sounds like they are redesigning and putting out a new version.

I have two of the original Nylabone plastic collapsable crates. I like them for certain times and situations. Hopefully they are re-doing the current design, the new styles aren't as good as the original ones.

So now I am contemplating just bringing their wire crates and putting my efforts into finding something that will provide shade like a pop up cabana or lean-to.

That's a great set up and used a lot.

Debbie

[Fluffypants]

This is the soft crate that I use:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=15184&N=2001+114010

It has openings on 5 sides for ventilation. So far, I have only used it for overnight trips (easier to fold up & transport than her regular wire crate), and for trials at our school (which have all been indoors so far). Now that we are getting into the outdoor trial season, I am thinking of getting one of those large awnings, to give us ALL some shade. I would set her soft crate and our chairs up underneath.

I got Jackie used to her new soft crate by setting it up in the living room for a few weeks. And anytime she went in there I gave her a treat. I also left a few in there for her to find, in case she went in there when I wasn't looking.

When we travel in the car, though, I use a car seat for her (the one that MGM recommended, way back when . . .). It's comfy and padded, and securely attaches to a harness so she is safe in case we get into an accident (heaven forbid).

Good luck Tana, I hope you can find a solution that works for you and the kids.

[disraeli ears]

Thanks for the advice, all.

Like Jessica, I use a seatbelt for Rhys - and I plan on getting one for Andy. The soft crate will be for the hotels (easy to get out of the car and set up) and for the week or so when we have no furniture!

It looks like I've got a few good options - I am going to go to Petsmart and see what they have (unless I can get something online really quickly). Then I will start leaving them in the soft crates during the day so they can adjust.

[Dillydoodle]

Tana- check out dr. fosters and smith - they ship within about 5 business days- in my area i get their stuff in about 3-4 days...and you have the option for faster shipping with them too- they are fast.

also you can check on ebay- i got my second soft crate on ebay, new in box, got a good deal on it but it did take 8 days or so to get it to me, so if time is a priority for you, you might want to check out dr. fosters instead.

Jess-I saw your soft crate, but what size was it? was it the 36" one? Just curious. It is a nice crate, the Noz 2 Noz crates are my favorite..

Emilie

[Bobbie]

I forgot to mention that Noztonoz has a new professional model which has roll-down panels to make it solid (covers the screening.) I would recommend them if you have dogs that sleep better in a solid crate. This is the X-series, which also has a side-opening door (and end, too, I believe, but I'd check on that.)

Bobbie

[Fluffypants]

Jess-I saw your soft crate, but what size was it? was it the 36" one? Just curious. It is a nice crate, the Noz 2 Noz crates are my favorite..

Emilie

Yes, it was the 36'' one. I wanted it to be a little bigger than she NEEDED, so that she would be more comfortable in there . . . plenty of room for all her wacky sleeping positions! +JIGGY+ Having that soft crate really does make travelling a lot easier, and make it much easier for trials too. Plus . . . it matches our chairs! +IDEA+

[CorgiMum]

These are the soft sided ones we have, the 1730 model. Extra long and taller than they need too.

http://www.midwesthomes4pets.com/ProductPages/CanineCampers.asp

[disraeli ears]

the one i have is:
http://www.sitstay.com/store/equip/softcrate-n.shtml
same color too!

I love it, it is the Noz 2 Noz N2 series... great great great... It folds easily but is quite sturdy, lots of ventilation ( i have a blanket that i put over the three sides to keep it dark and den like as the boys sleep in our bedroom and i like them to stay quiet and sleeping until about 6am even with the sun coming up early.

Some of the pop up crates i have seen in the store have been very flimsy... I would worry that a chewer or scratcher would ruin it in a matter of minutes.

By the way bonnie, very cool that you play cello... I play violin.

Emilie

Emilie - I bought two of these today at PetSmart (I was out turning in a paper, going to the post office, dropping off books...was by this Petsmart and decided to look). I got the n2-30 (they had a smaller one, but it looked too small). They cost $89.99 a piece, but with my petsmart discount, I saved $26 on the total. They are pretty nice - I like all the pockets and such.

Now they just have to get used to them! :TONGUE:

[Dillydoodle]

Tana,
Glad you found some and got a good discount on them too! Start right away to get them used to their new crates and they will be fine when it is time to go! I got the 36" and that was to accomodate Dillon's sprawled out style of sleeping, but Gus doesnt tend to sleep quite as sprawled out and he could easily be in a smaller crate but i got them both the same to match the room better...same size and color..

Emilie

[CorgiMum]

Emilie - I bought two of these today at PetSmart (I was out turning in a paper, going to the post office, dropping off books...was by this Petsmart and decided to look). I got the n2-30 (they had a smaller one, but it looked too small). They cost $89.99 a piece, but with my petsmart discount, I saved $26 on the total. They are pretty nice - I like all the pockets and such.

Now they just have to get used to them! :TONGUE:

They look great! And I love the colour, matches my familyroom rug.

Sorry if you've already said, but have they been crate trained to other kennels?

[CorgiMum]

Having that soft crate really does make travelling a lot easier, and make it much easier for trials too. Plus . . . it matches our chairs! +IDEA+

Oh, good then it's not just me then? :WINK:

[disraeli ears]

Yes, Barbara - they are crate trained.

I set up one of the crates a little while ago and Andy has been going in and out of it. I had the top unzipped at one point and she "popped" her head out the top - like a little "Andy in the box." :CUTE:

The kids' pal, Lulu the Lab, decided she liked it too - a couple of times she went right in and curled up.

[CorgiMum]

Yes, Barbara - they are crate trained.

I set up one of the crates a little while ago and Andy has been going in and out of it. I had the top unzipped at one point and she "popped" her head out the top - like a little "Andy in the box." :CUTE:

The kids' pal, Lulu the Lab, decided she liked it too - a couple of times she went right in and curled up.

Sounds like the new crates are a hit! And Lulu fit too?:EEK:

[Dillydoodle]

The ones i have for the boys are 36" and the one that Tana got i think is the 30" and let me tell ya, the 36" is the size you would get for a weimeranner, according to the company! I got the longer one becuase Dillon sometimes lays on his back legs and arms extended out, so he takes up a lot of space ( remember Dillon is a 30+ lb corgi and long ) so i think the 30" crate is the one actually sized for a corgi! so fitting a lab in the 30" - i bet she fit, but didnt have a lot of room to spare.... hee hee...

oh and as for choosing the crates, yes i had to buy what matched the room they would be set up in LOL!! so Barbara, and Jess you are not alone LOL!!!

I love the style of these crates with all the openings not only for ventilation but also if you want to top load them in the crate or side load, or front load, you can do it!

Emilie

[Fluffypants]

Oh, good then it's not just me then? :WINK:

Yes, well . . . we decided that red is the official color of Team Ryan, so we have to have all of our "team gear" in red! :CUTE:

[disraeli ears]

Our crates are a taupish-brown color - very near the color of my car! So we kind of match!

Oh, I just finished my other paper! Yay! I'm officially done with my Rice University graduate work! :NOTWORTHY:

So far, I have left Andy in the crate once. She started scratching at the mesh door, but didn't do any damage. I think they'll be fine. Right now, it is thundering - Rhys is nowhere to be seen and Andy is actually hiding in the soft crate.

[Fluffypants]

That's how you know the crate training worked . . . when they use it to hide. Shows they feel safe in there! Yay! :BIGGRIN"

[ColColt]

This is not exactly a travel or collapsible crate but, it's the one I was thinking about getting for my "future Corgi". Not ideally a travel crate but, this seemed a good place to ask opinions. It's called Classic Cratewear and has bumpers on three sides with a floor pad.

http://www.petdreams.com/v-37.html

I thought this lounger was absolutely precious...

http://www.nextdaypets.com/directory/pet_supplies/Bowsers-Double-Donut-Dog-Beds---Microvelvet-Fabric-P1166C0.aspx

[MVons]

Just to let you know, do consider checking with a local upholsterer on making the lounger bed if you desire a different fabric to match your decor and the exact size you need. My sister-in-law in WI is considering making these when a customer requests. Just think a customer requests reupholstering a couch and she asks if they'd like a matching dog couch! Right now she is getting more mending with upcoming proms and kid's spring growth spurt.

I lucked out with the Target bed fitting Pepper.

Merrie

[Fluffypants]

This is not exactly a travel or collapsible crate but, it's the one I was thinking about getting for my "future Corgi". Not ideally a travel crate but, this seemed a good place to ask opinions. It's called Classic Cratewear and has bumpers on three sides with a floor pad.

http://www.petdreams.com/v-37.html

I thought this lounger was absolutely precious...

http://www.nextdaypets.com/directory/pet_supplies/Bowsers-Double-Donut-Dog-Beds---Microvelvet-Fabric-P1166C0.aspx

I don't know about the corgi . . . but I want that lounger for myself!!!!! :CUTE:

[disraeli ears]

That is a cute lounger, David!

Ok, here's Rhys in the crate.
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z91/taowens75/rhyscratesmall.jpg

And here's Lulu!
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z91/taowens75/lulucratesmall.jpg

[ColColt]

Looks like one size fits all!! By the tag it must be brand new. It looks like both like it pretty well...especially with some cookies stored out of sight.:SMILE: It appears like there's a side curtain that can be pulled down and attached to the velcro.

[MVons]

Tana, you are costing me money. That crate looks so much better for a senior dog. yes I don't have to buy it now, but Pepper would have liked the soft sides when she'd shake her head and bang the sides of her plastic crate. Or am I being too soft? Maybe I should have gotten bumper pads.

Merrie

[disraeli ears]

Looks like one size fits all!! By the tag it must be brand new. It looks like both like it pretty well...especially with some cookies stored out of sight.:SMILE: It appears like there's a side curtain that can be pulled down and attached to the velcro.

Yes, there are windows on three sides and they all have little roll-up shades. :BIGGRIN" And they are held down with velcro when they are shut so they're not flapping around.

Rhys fits *just right*. Compared to Lulu - Andy looks like she's lost in it. I need to get a pic of her in the crate.