Dogs

Question: Is it ok to crate 2 dogs at the same time?

(Posted by: cl4iret on 2010-03-09 11:50:15)

I have 2 six month old Patterdale Terrier bitches from the same litter and they have been crated together since 9 weeks old. I am concerned as one of them is getting quite dominant of the other and twice a week I have to leave them alone for up to 7 hours. I have an XL crate and was wondering if it's OK to keep leaving them in there together?

Posted by: Bobbie L on 2010-03-09, 12:03:39

Of course it's NOT okay. Buy another crate. And, no reputable breeder will sell 2 pups at the same time to one person, so what you have, is backyard bred garbage.

Posted by: Launi *Can you spell PRONG?* on 2010-03-09, 11:52:15

One dog to a crate. I would never crate any other way.

Posted by: Debbie D on 2010-03-09, 11:54:34

They are starting to mature, and they are working out their place in the pack pecking order. Personally, I would not continue to crate them together. All it takes is once, and this is a problem that is too easy to avoid to take the chance.

Posted by: TJ on 2010-03-09, 11:55:00

I have 2 beagles. one is 7 months and one is 12 weeks. both male . older one tries to be dominant but it is natural for dogs. they are both crated together.

Posted by: Geoff B on 2010-03-09, 12:03:17

Sorry don't understand crating. Does this mean if there was a fire in the room were the dogs were they would not be able to escape that room

Posted by: Miki on 2010-03-09, 12:05:45

Its better to crate them separately, since a crate usually becomes a dogs "safe " place. If one is starting to bother the other, especially when your not home to supervise it makes the crate a negative place. I would go out and get another one. You can still place them next to each other for company. Good luck!

Posted by: Annie on 2010-03-09, 12:07:23

I do not. Too much can happen when you are not there. Crate separately. Safer.

Posted by: YODEL on 2010-03-09, 12:22:22

Not a good idea. Especially with two females who are nearing maturity- their adult personality is not yet developed and you don't know what issues may arise as they grow. I've only met a few Patterdales, but every one I've met did not get along real well with other dogs & didn't need much of a provocation to fight. As dogs reach maturity, they begin behaving like adult dogs & establishing rank. You don't want that to happen when you are away & they are confined to a crate. Such close quarters could cause one or both to panic....it'd quickly turn a scuffle into a bloodbath fight to the death. I know some people who crate *older* adult, bonded pairs together in a large crate....it can help dogs with seperation anxiety IF they really are bonded to the other dog. But you've REALLY got to know your dogs, know their history and know how they react under any kind of stress before you even think of crating together. And even then, it's a risk. Not something generally reccomended; heck I know people who DO it who don't reccomend it for 99% of other people. Two seperate crates is best- you can always put them next to one another or facing each other so they don't feel like they are alone. :)