Silky Terrier chewing metal crate bars

[Mudcon]

I have a one year old Silky Terrier. I leave him in his crate, whenever I leave the house. I was curious to know how he acts in the crate, so I left video recorder out today, and was horrified to see what was recorded when I watched it. After leaving the house, 8 minutes later, he began to pant and bark, also chewing the metal crate bars. He sometimes would even grab hold of the metal crate bars and attempt to shake the crate, while also scratching at the bars on botttom of the crate. My tape only allowed one hour of recording time, and thirty minutes were spent doing all that I have mentioned above.

I know he cannot continue to do this, because he could injure himself, break or chip teeth. I am posting to see if there is a different kind of crate that I can purchase, that will not give him the access to do what he is doing. I also know that he seems to have high aniexty while in the crate. I need a solution, or something else to try soon. I cannot leave him out of his crate while I am gone, so any suggestions are wondeful.

Thanks so Much

[Rhetts_mama]

How about an xpen? It's still metal, but would give him more room to move around.

[ArmaniMan]

There are canvas crates with mesh instead of bars but I wouldn't recommend them in this situation- if your puppy is so upset in the crate- likely he will chew right through the mesh.

Have you considered an ex pen set up while you are gone? Some dogs feel more comfortable in this because they have more space.

Sorry was posting at the same time as Rhett.

[LaurenPatrice]

What about a plastic travel crate? I know the door is still metal so he may still chew that. It sounds like he has separation anxiety. A friend had a large dog who had this and he chewed right through the metal crate. She came home and blood was everywhere. He had missing teeth and needed stitches in his mouth . Maybe an x-pen would work better so he wouldn't feel so trapped. Good luck!

[Donnainohio63]

Originally Posted by ArmaniMan

There are canvas crates with mesh instead of bars but I wouldn't recommend them in this situation- if your puppy is so upset in the crate- likely he will chew right through the mesh.

Have you considered an ex pen set up while you are gone? Some dogs feel more comfortable in this because they have more space.

Sorry was posting at the same time as Rhett.

The x-pen is the solution, Scooter and Sadie were the same way and we got the x-pen and they are fine now.

[yavenay]

My Brandi was the same way when I left her in the crate too. Then I switched to the expen. She still hates it but at least now she usually just sleeps. However she does still try and escape but she is much more relaxed. I think when she knows it gets closer to me coming home from work is the time when she tries to escape. I have a webcam setup on her so I can see what she is doing all day. She flucutates between sleeping and looking for a way out but mostly just sleeps.

One good tip. Depending on what type of expen you get (I have a canvas and mesh expen with a cover and bottom and zippered sides ) only put your little one in through the top. If you have an escaped artist like I do, Brandi pays attention to how I put her in the expen. She will try and escape through the door you put her in. Brandi will try to jump to the top of the expen to escape because she doesn't realize that there are zippered side doors that she can easily escape out of. The minute I put her in the expen through the zippered doors, that is the way she will make her escape. It took me two expens to figured that one out.

[concretegurl]

1. Plastic travel crate-I have two Petsmates here a medium (used for toy storage) and I think XL-it's the ones two of my dogs arrived in about a year ago.
I'd suggest the Best Pet soft sided play pen (its my fav) but if you have an anxious chewer it'll do you no good-if you want to look into it check out eBay and Amazon.

2. Mellow Mut try it it's natural, homeopathic, organic free range jerky. Can take the edge off of separation anxiety (wow I feel like their spokes/top sales woman with as much as I have suggested it on here) I used it for my anxious rescue...here's the link for it MELLOW MUT®

3. It is for this very reason I do not use or like to see others using them personally.

[Cha Cha]

My Mylee is the exact same way. She has severe separation anxiety. I have used the xpen (she climbed out), a travel crate (she barked and panted till she was soaked from her own saliva), and a large wire crate (she did the same as you describe). Nothing has worked, so we've been leaving her out and she has done fine this way. I know you say this is not an option for you, but would it be if you could puppy proof or block access to certain rooms? Mylee only gets the living room and hallway while I am gone. No bedrooms or basement. This has worked well for us even with her being on a limited exercise program because of leg issues. Since my expensive xpen was a failure, I use sections of it to block off my furniture and keep her from jumping....it has been great that way . I have found too with Mylee, that consistancy is necessary. She freaks if I do something out of order. Good luck.