[willsken]

Well I have now got my practise crate for the dog. I thought I would leave it open for a few days, put her blanket in it and then throw all her treats inside so eventually she will get to see it as a "happy" place..... not working! :uhoh

She doesn't like it at all. Now I worry about putting a front on it and locking her in. Has anyone else done this to help the dog get used to it and did it work? Any advice? Don't want to mentally scar the poor little girl for life!! :o

[jodieinchch]

awww cute. good idea. very thoughtful of you. most would just put their dogs in there and expect them to be fine. are the crates THAT small for the dogs???

[willsken]

I don't know but she can stand up and everything! Just think if she gets used to this one anything bigger will feel like a palace! :D

[zardell]

Thought you may find this link quite interesting.

Do some companies lend you crates for your pets, or do you have to buy your own ?

www.caninekennels.com/~sa_webapp/run.asp?page=3598

Julie

xx

[Pimmar]

This last weekend we bought over the internet a used Vari_Kennel,
it's the crate you need for shipping the dog from Holland to Auckland
they come in various sizes, and our dog is a dalmatier and we have the extra
large size;
we have taken the door out and put her blancket inside
and since the first day she sleeps in it, she seems to like it;
its placed in our livingroom, in a corner where her
chair used to be;
so she can get used to it for a few months before she goes to NZ

your crate its not IATA approved either ..haha

our kennel :

http://www.doctordog.com/merchant2/graphics/00000001/doso/varikennel.jpg

[willsken]

I had assumed that they were wooden as Golden Arrow said they made them? Me getting it wrong. I'll buy her one of those! Thanks for the link Julie. :D

[Blakie]

Hi Wilsken

We bought a Vari Kennel over the internet last week too and I intend to use it as it only cost £20.00 (2nd hand). When I spoke to Golden Arrow they said they would prefer to make one of their own wooden ones. He advised that in the scheme of things the kennels weren't that much of a contributor to the cost and that the Vari Kennels had been known to have a condensation problem. Something to do with when they tape the door at the airport. Find it a little hard to believe.

Has anybody else's pooch had a problem with condensation during the journey? Gold. Arrow said they put a litre & a half water container in the kennel - I would've thought with any turbulence this would definately cause a damp problem.

To get your dog used to the kennel have you tried putting a tasty treat in it from time to time? You are doing the right thing by getting your dog used to it but you know don't you that he/she is smarter than you and worked out your achilles heel long ago! Ours did anyway. We would put a treat as far back into the kennel as it would go so that he was forced to go in to get it out.

[Howie]

We shipped our dog from the US in a Vari Kennel and had no problems. We were lucky as he was used to his and usually sleeps in it (without the door) anyways. We did have to buy a bigger one for his trip. They need to have so much clearance from the top of their head and the need to be able to easily turn around. I was suprised at how big it was.

Once you figure out what you're going to ship your dog in, just start very very slowly. Just feed her her meals in it to start (or even just near it). Our dog has a "crate" command now and he runs in it because he knows he's going to get a special treat like a pigs ear.

[Lisa T]

On "Animal Airport" a couple of nights ago there was a dog shipped from America to Heathrow in a vari-kennel. It was collie size and it had managed to chew through the plastic and escape into the hold. The dog was cut as the hole it had made was very small and the crew couldn't work out how it had got out at all. It had wandered around for the flight and was very distressed.

Golden Arrow told me the crate had to be large enough for the dog to stand up and turn round in but not too big or the dog could be thrown around during turbulance. I assumed that there is a mesh window in the crate so that they can be checked durig stop-over without openng the crate. I have been told tht if the animal is removed from the crate on a stop over then they will face quarantine on arrival in NZ. I know we will be using Golden Arrow to ship out stinky dog.

[jubjub]

Dont worry GA make them, and they are wood, and rest assured they are going to be much bigger than her practice one!

They also put them in them a few times before travel

[Blakie]

Ah good so no condensation then. Measured our dog and checked the recommended size of kennel for our size dog before purchasing it.

Have never known our dog to chew anything before - he's a terrier so he will dig if he gets the opportunity. I can't bring myself to watch those Airport Animal programmes at the moment. Can you imagine how awful it must have last Wednesday at H'row for animals travelling and their owners waiting at the other end? If this was you then you have my utmost commiserations and hope you will all be reunited soon.

We are probably going to go with Airpets - that is if they send us quote

[StevieD]

Aaahhh Gil the poor dog looks pathetic in that box!! I don't know what to do with our little yorkie yet, she may not even be allowed to go, I know the older one won't, he is too frail now. It is such a hard decision, and one that can't be taken lightly. I know it is going to be heartbreaking for us whatever happens, they are such a big part of our lives.

[willsken]

Thanks for all the replys. I am putting treats in it so hopefully she will, in time, get used to it. Glad I wasn't going mad re the wodden crate!

I had my written quote back from GA today and it was less than I thought it would be which is great! (£1381 - I thought it would be nearer the £1800) OH still thinks it too much for a dog!! She's coming what ever!! :p

[gil]

the poor dog looks pathetic in that box!! I don't know what to do with our little yorkie yet, she may not even be allowed to go, I know the older one won't, he is too frail now. It is such a hard decision, and one that can't be taken lightly. I know it is going to be heartbreaking for us whatever happens, they are such a big part of our lives.

Nic's taking hers, but we've made the (very hard) decision to try and re-home Macy before we go. One of our good friends/neighbours's mum is very keen, which would be lovely if it comes off, retired couple, home all day and if they're out, it's usually at their daughter's (my neighbour) with their grandchildren (nice for Macy). Since we've got our PR, she has become increasingly doddery and elderly, so it would seem awfully harsh to put her through the emigration ordeal. I've tracked down some Staffie breeders in Auckland, so we may have a new one once we arrive.
http://www.nzkc.org.nz/onlinebreeders.html
Here is the link, if anyone wants to trace a breeder....

Gil