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Permalink Reply by Courtney and Zoe on March 2, 2011 at 3:03pm

Zoe has two blankets in her crate for padding and I change them out every week.  She's kind of a tough chewer though so I don't put any soft, stuffed, or squeeker toys in her crate with her while she's unattended because she destroys them and may swallow parts- the little bugger :( She does have a couple of toy bones and a teething ring in there though.

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Permalink Reply by Chris West on March 2, 2011 at 3:08pm

Depends how long I plan to leave him in there.  I always leave him with a towel that he can bunch or lay on as he chooses.  We do not have a pad because his breeder said he shreds them.  Although, we do sometimes let him have his pillow in there (its just a regular throw pillow that he has claimed is his) and he has never chewed on it.  I like to leave him a chew treat (bully stick, pig ear, etc) but I do not put water in the crate (he just spills it) so he only gets a chew treat if we are not going to be gone long.  Don't want him to get thirsty or need to go potty.  Sometimes I let him have a toy, but I make sure it is one of his super durable toys and that it is good condition.  I also try to leave a radio on in the room and shut the door so the cats can't torment him while he is in there.  It was trial and error for awhile before we decided on what was right for Frosty to have in the crate.  Surprisingly, he is much less destructive with his stuff if we lock him in the crate than if we leave him out of the crate.

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Permalink Reply by Sam Tsang on March 2, 2011 at 3:11pm

Under 2 yr:

Only things that CAN'T be destroy, since you can't supervise while you're gone, you want to make sure the toys are absolutely safe. Most pups are crazy chewers around that age and you'll be wasting money investing in good bedding at this time. You want to get them associate their crate as a safe refuge, food and happy place.

 

After 2yr:

Half blanket, good chew toy only. Dogs only have sweat glands under their foot, I want to give them a non - fabric area in case they get too hot, so half blanket is my preference.

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Permalink Reply by Jane Christensen on March 2, 2011 at 3:26pm

I use quilted pads and yes my dogs get either kongs or good rubber toys with a little peanut butter in them. A plain towel is fine also especially if there could be an accident.

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Permalink Reply by Lauren on March 2, 2011 at 3:28pm

All I have in our crate is a soft blanket. There are toys for when he's out and can play around.

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Permalink Reply by Jane on March 2, 2011 at 3:37pm

Luke has a bed in his crate, and usually he gets a kong with some peanut butter and/or a large antler that I know he won't be able to chew into small pieces.

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Permalink Reply by Rebecca Marie O'Bryan on March 2, 2011 at 5:18pm

i give teddy a blanket that was given to me, its an old quilt. along with his tug-u-jug or kong filled with frozen cheese if i am going to be gone long. but never even give Ein something u think she can swallow

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