Dogs head stuck in crate - Page 1

Today I picked up my 3 gsd's from the boarding kennel.  (By the way a great kennel - never have any problems leaving them all there).  Anyway, I also train Molly there, so after checking out I placed Libby in the back of the SUV and Falon in a vari kennel in the back.  Molly's crate was turned so I could get her in and out easily via the back door.

Anyway, after my second time on the field with Molly, I noticed some blood in the back of the truck.  Further investigation showed Falon chewed thru the plastic resulting in a hole the size of a fist.   I figured she must be stressed by all the dogs and the noise on the field, so I decided to leave training early and take her home.  The drive home is about 1/2 hour and only heard the normal whines and panting coming from the back. 

When I pulled in the garage to let them out - I found Falon had pushed her head thru the opening and now was wedged tight in the opening.  I could not push her head back and by this point she was getting stressed and was struggling.  Her tongue was about 5 times as long as normal and she was drooling excessively.  I couldn't find anything to cut thru the hard plastic, so I rushed her to my vet which luckily is only 3 miles or so away.  They were able to cut thru the plastic in about 15 minutes and push her head back.  She has a bloody nose and mouth and broke a nail, but other than that is good.  Thank god I did not leave a choke collar on her.

So lesson for me - a german shepherd head can fit thru a very small opening.  Falon is now laying on the couch no worse for wear, but I swear she just took a year off my life.  Nothing more frightening then to see your dog in trouble and not be able to get her out.

Cheryl

I can only imagine the state of mind you were in but it sounds like you managed to keep your head together and not panic to the point you'd make the situation worse.  I myself PANIC and do not do well under these types of situations.  Yes good thing no choke collar or fur saver was left on or it could have been wayyyyy worse.  Glad to hear everything worked out.

That could have been disastrous, I'm so glad she's OK.

 Hi,

You were lucky and, Agars said, you kept your head on straight and got the situation resolved. This is one reason why I have aluminum crates. It is great that you were able to go to the vet so quickly. Even a service station where you could get a solid knife or saw would have been good. 

Find another way to crate the dog and do it with a treat at home and without stress initially. Hopefully she will not remember this for long.

Good luck.

OMG, I'm so glad she's okay, very scary. 

Hodie:

Thanks for the advice.  It didn't even cross my mind that I should start desensitizing her to a crate again.  She is my house pet, so only in a crate when at the groomers or travel, etc, which for her is not often.  She has seperation anxiety but usually does well in a kennel run as long as Libby is in  a kennel next to her.  Just did not think she would ever chew thru a crate while in my car with me not to far and with Libby there. 

It was my mistake not taking her straight home, as I know she is not the most stable, but she has never chewed thru a crate before.  This is a first for me.  The vet tech says she has seen this before.  I think I am going to have to find a way to purchase aluminum crates in the future as I don't think I could ever feel comfortable leaving her in a crate again unsupervised.

I am also going to invest in some type of clippers/shears that could cut thru the thick plastic as even the vet had trouble getting thru the crate.

Thanks again. to everyone.   

Cheryl

At a tool store you can get nippers or tin snips and keep them handy in the vehicle.  They should cut the plastic no problem.