Hi everyone!

Well, we need to buy a crate. I am specifically hoping for a tiny, Chi-sized crate (ideally a wire folding model, but plastic would be okay if it is the right dimensions) that will be small enough without jumping through hoops to block off sections. I figure there are enough people with toy breeds now that *someone* must have thought of making an appropriate sized crate!

Can anyone recommend a special suitable brand or web site? The PetSmart stock just isn't cutting it...

My main complaint with wire crates I have seen in stores is their sheer size. Also the bar spacing on some models concerns me. My main complaint with plastic crates is they're like a squat, long tube. Not enough room to stand, but enough room to hold a soccer match in there from front to back. Very inappropriate for our little guys without blocking off a portion.

For reference, our little girl is 7 lbs. and quite leggy, which is why she looks just pitiful in most plastic crates that don't let her stand up.

Thanks!

just an out there idea, i used a kids playpen as a crate, was big enough for a little bed and a pee pad and left over room to play during the day .

Thanks! That's a great suggestion for at-home long term confinement!

I should probably be more specific in my question:

Our Chi is outside trained, and does not use pads. We're visiting with friends next month, and while about 75% of the trip will be dog inclusive, 25% of the time or so we'll need to leave her at our friends' place. We want her confined for her safety, since it isn't her home or her "pack". I am happy for her to play with our friends' dogs under supervision, but I want to crate her if we go out to dinner or theatre.

So, what I am hoping to find is a tiny folding crate that we can flatten and stuff into a suitcase, set up or take down in the blink of an eye, and doesn't require blocking with partitions or boxes to make it Chi sized. The smallest crates I am seeing in stores are about 22" long, and 13"+ wide. That's not Chi-sized... LOL

She doesn't need access to pee pads while we are out. At most it'll be a few hours, and she's BEYOND housebroken. She'll snuggle for 12+ hours overnight if we're lazy in the morning and waiting for her to ask to go out. Usually we have to drag her out of bed at 2:00pm so we can start our day, so she'll be fine holding it for a "couplefew" hours if we have a non-dog activity.

I do not crate train. However I use a collapsible crate for overnight travels. I have this one and love it!

Guardian Gear Polka Dot Collapsible Dog Crates | PetEdge.com

Great quality, durable, easy to put up and fold back down, easy to carry, and super cute which is always a plus!

__________________

________

ah ah i see, ok ok no i just used that crate wile i was training him, he is now free to roam the house as he pleases and also sleeps with us all night.
but unfortunately i have no advice for over night trips, we dont normally crate him for those. Best of luck finding what your looking for though.

Haha, funny story about a fabric crate just like this. We had one we used for a medium-sized herding breed puppy we were fostering. DH took me to the mountains for a few days over Valentine's and we brought the little kiddo along. Beautiful 2-level mountain townhouse suite, private balcony with stunning view, and private hot tub.

We crated the puppy up on the second level of the suite, by our bed, tucked him all in and snuck down to enjoy the hot tub. Not ten minutes in, there's a little face pressed against the glass of the balcony door, tail wagging a mile a minute! He'd simply pawed through the mesh of the front door of the crate.

When I opened the balcony door, he zoomed out and peed on the snow (yeah, not ideal, but it looked like outside to him!) so we learned he was housebroken enough not to need the crate in the suite for the rest of the trip. A good thing, since it was pretty busted!

Our Chi does not *seem* to paw or fuss in the crate, but I'd hate for her to decide to do so in the unfamiliar environment, and escape. That's my *only* hesitation with a design like this. I agree, they're super cute and I love them otherwise!

Along the same lines, but perhaps a more sturdy design... Has anyone tried a Sleepypod? I have never seen one in person. They wouldn't be easy for a dog to scratch her way out of, but I guess she could push/chew through the top mesh? I dunno?

How's this one? We just got it today and it's perfectly sized!

That's the one I have for Lacey! It was super easy to set-up, and she LOVES it!

__________________