Help, I have a Houdini - Page 1

I am asking for any ideas on kennels or crates that are affordable or buildable.  I have a Houdini on my hands that has gotten out of every crate or kennel he has been in.  I can't afford the super expensive bullet proof ones, well maybe down the road some day.

My goofball hasn't a mean bone in his body.  He just gets bored when I am not home (love those working dogs, he is one of three).  He gets plenty of exercise between me and my son with training and play.  This dog is utterly fearless and super agile.  He climbed a ladder for fun that was on the side of my house with me at the top about two stories up.  He opens doors, drawers, cabinets, and peanut butter jars (he has a real weakness for peanut butter) for entertainment.  He even busts the other two out of their crates to play.  He has climbed a 6ft cyclone fence and busted out the top, busted through the window in my truck after getting out of his crate.  He has even gone through screened windows.  He doesn't destroy things, just plays with them (well minus the screens or truck window).  I even borrowed a camera to see what goes on when I am gone and was amazed.  I have yet to catch him in the act, he is too smart. This dog makes my sides sore with all the laughing I do because of him.  His skills are being put to use as a future search dog.  I have a K9 and a Schutzhund dog as well.  He is a rescue from abuse.  He is a well behaved dog any other time and wants to please so much.  I want to keep him safe, I don't want to lose him so I would appreciate any ideas or advice.  Thanking all of you in advance.

Of course, there are aluminum crates, but most of them are very expensive. I too have a male who could get out of anything. So there was little choice.

You could also call a chain link fence company or manufacturer and buy a custom made small kennel with a top on it. Get a 3 X 4 (ir 3X3 depending on the size of your dog ) with a top to go on it. The height also need not be more than 4 feet and can be less, although I made mine 4 feet high.

The key is the mesh size, and the type of gate latch (one side obviously must be a gate. I had 10 custom made and while they were expensive, they are extremely useful if there is a dog who can get out or climb up a 6 foot fence. You must get small mesh, about 1.25 inchs so he cannot get his teeth on it. Have good quality pipe used as well. They are invaluable and will last a long time. 

There are alternatives to consider as well using a simple plastic crate that might work. Essentially you must put a bar in front and in back of the gate. You get a piece of metal rod that will take wing nuts or other types of nuts and drill a hole to fit the rod, top and bottom, so that essentially he cannot put or push the gate open. Another method is to take a chain, pretty hefty link, and weave it between the gate wire and around through the side vents and lock it off. It is more a pain in the butt in my opinion.

The best way is to invest in a good aluminum crate.

The Vari Kennel 700 has a very good latch that dogs can't operate. Most humans have problems with it. I have a couple of escape artists, and to date, none of them have been able to get out of the 700.

Beckett can get out of anything, as well; and can break Kali out of her crate, also, just for added fun. We've tried bungee cords to no avail, I will get an aluminum or stainless steel crate as soon as I can scrape up the $$$ (it's been a rough year financially, for us). But in the meantime, is there any kind of training that can be started that will teach a dog to respect the boundries placed on him? My daughter is having a hard time with Wolf as well. He's out of his crate almost every day when she comes home from work, & usually springs her Chow, 'Ellington'. I guess busy likes company, too! jackie harris (BTW- both of these guys get lots of excersize, have toys/chews to keep them busy...Wolf springs himself when Yvonne is at work......Beckett breaks out when we're eating dinner, or if I take Kali out without him. If he & Kali are crated together-side by side-he's generally OK!)

Our long coat girl is the same way!  We found that using metal clips every few inches along the top and sides of her crate worked great.  Also had to do that for the front of her crate as well since she would work on the door too.  Is he pushing his way out or destroying the crate??  Our girl never damaged her crates just worked on the loose sections until she got out.  I am sure you have tried this but do you use a kong filled with peanut butter while he is in his crate?  That worked well for our girl too. 

Good luck!

Amy

 Nothing will teach a dog to respect that it must be in a crate for hours. You can help yourself and the dogs by getting them a lot more exercise. I am not a Ceasar Milan fan, but he is absolutely correct about the triad of needs for a well behaved dog:

Exercise, obedience and love.

I am talking about running with them or playing ball with them until their tongues are hanging and they are TIRED. This must be done daily. Or perhaps you can leave them in a secure yard?

It might be a wise investment to get some professional obedience help but that won't help keep the dog in the crate. One of the things I always worry about when I hear stories like this is the trouble the dog/s will get into, including getting hung up on a crate and dying of asphyxiation. It is imperative you find a way to keep the dog secure

AKC makes a very good kennel (not chain-link) for $299.99

It has (6) panels that are 5' wide and 6' high.  Therefore you could make a kennel 5x5 for an area inside your house if you wish, or open it up to 5 x 10 (and if he's a climber or jumper, you can clamp a 5' x 10 piece of hog panel over the top.  If you are able to affix it against another kennel and or fence or you house, you could make it 10x 10.  Stopped my houdini.

I have a couple of escape artists also and since I work full time I had to find a way to keep them safe so I got a couple of kennels from Menards which I put in my basement and since then no one has made their way out.  The kennels are made by Hoover Fence Co and I think the name is Lucky Dog.  I turned them upside down so that the feet are on top so they couldn't get their feet underneath and the posts wouldn't ruin the tile floor.  The panels are made from  8 gauge welded wire and are extremely strong.  The panels are 6 ft high and 5 ft wide.  I'm sure you could put a panel on top if you want. Extra hardware can be ordered directly from Hoover Fence   The kennels are easily assembled.  My kennels are 5 ft x 10 ft which gives them plenty of room to move around while I'm gone. You can also give them a kong with goodies inside as mentioned above or a fresh marrow bone which lasts quite a while to dispel the boredom.  The kennels are very reasonably priced and at the rate I was going through crates they have easily paid for themseves plus the added safety factor.  I think each panel is about $40 and the gate is about $70.  At least that's the last time I priced them. 

Good luck with your houdini.

Judy

Hodie- my dogs do get exercise, lots of it, & we are very lucky in that Carl & I work different shifts, so they're not stuck in a box all day, thank goodness, I couldn't imagine what Beckett would be like if he were cooped up for 8 hrs!!! Wolf does have a large yard, & he & Ellington play, Yvonne plays ball with them, & they take long, long walks....he is doing very well there, filling out & coat shiney now, hope to have new pictures soon! But sure, I understand, bored, & intelligent, & energetic...& cooped up=Houdini.....And safety is my primary concern!!! jh

I got my male Rott from the local shelter and they told me that the person that dropped him off there, had named him "Houdini" ( I renamed him Clyde).  I found out why.  Similar to your story, although I do not use crates.

I just had to put in the time and training to make him understand the rules and bounderies.  It is easier for me, being retired (I have a part time job, about ten hours a week, and I can work when I want, so I work when my wife is not working), but I understand most do not have that luxury.

If you find the answer to your problem of how to keep a  bored critter from entertaining itself through mischief, there are about 3 billion parents of kids/teenagers, that would like you to share it with them.