Ex Pen w/top & crate types

[WBL]

Okay just curious if something like a ex-pen with top would be a good thing for a basenji. I completely beleive in crate training but once they have potty training mastered I don't like having to leave a dog in a crate for 4-5hrs a day. Would something like this work? I know that alot of people use crates also because they take up less space, but I have a place where I could set up something like this (inside) and it wouldn't be in the way. Here's a pic of what it looks like with a top.

And what type of crate would everyone recommended for home use? I've thought about a wire crate, but we do travel, so should I just stick with a plastic one so that the dog would be used to it?

[lvoss]

Nicky who is my crate phobic, separation anxiety dog, is able to escape from an ex-pen like the one you show if it is not staked down. We did try to leave him in an ex-pen indoors once, he pushed the ex-pen all the way over to a wall where he could get leverage and then pushed it up and was out. Now, Nicky is also my most resourceful basenji and has learned to open standard refrigerators, cabinets, drawers and lever doorknobs.

I have two crates for each dog. They have their travel crate, which is a medium vari-kennel. At home they have a larger crate, some have wire crates and some have vari-kennels. They mostly prefer wire crates at home but I did have to get a vari-kennel for Nicky before we got Rally because he would hitch his leg and pee outside the wire crate. He won't pee in the vari-kennel.

[WBL]

Thank you for the reply. I'm guessing the best is trial by error, lol. When I get a pup I will probably get both crate types, and the ex pen top also.

[tanza]

If you have a pup that unlike Nicky (whom I know well… LOL.. and love that boy!).... something like a xpen will work instead of a crate... but you do have to watch that if not staked down...they are pretty easy to get under

[jessi76]

@WBL:

And what type of crate would everyone recommended for home use? I've thought about a wire crate, but we do travel, so should I just stick with a plastic one so that the dog would be used to it?

personally, I'm a fan of wire crates. In fact, I bought a wire crate that collapses down FLAT for easy travel for $60 at Petco. It's a med-large size, for 60-70lb dogs. It collapses EASILY - has a handle that hooks on, and it's even easy to carry. (I'm a girly-girl, and even I can handle this crate with ease)

[Basenji_Boy]

We use the wire crates at home and the Vari kennels for travel and shows.

[annandael]

Just a little piece of advice…

When there's a will, there's a way. Kiya was so upset that she was confined, she pulled at the wire of her crate with her teeth, (wire crate) until it bent and collapsed on her. I can't use the crate without zip ties or wire ties anymore. Keep that in mind! Basenjis are just too darn smart for their own good! ;)

My dad's Basenji Simeon, was another story about wire crates...he kept getting them opened, whether figuring out the locking device, or bending the walls with his teeth. Finally my dad put special wire around the connecting pieces and padlocked the door! That didn't stop Simeon! He used his body to get the crate to the door of the room and chewed through the refrigerator wire!

UGH! Simeon is such a handful! hehe

[WBL]

@annandael:

UGH! Simeon is such a handful! hehe

LOL, that sounds like an understandment, lol.

Thank you everyone for your advice!