Rileys mum Posted February 3, 2012 Share Posted February 3, 2012 After some advice/experience from others. I am needing to purchase another crate for my second dog. I already have a xxxl size soft crate for my boy but need a second for my lass as she will now be coming along with us everywhere we go :) Whilst searching online for a second crate i found some soft pens (like crates but much larger). Has anyone ever used them for large dogs? are they stable? I like the fact that they are a bit more roomy (as my pups do enjoy the old GSP style lay on their backs legs up in the air sleeping method) but i am also quite partial to the small security that a crate has. I only plan to use the crates when at training/competitions and obviously they wont be confined in it all day, just when im training the other dog etc. Any opinions greatly appreciated heres a link to the pens http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/PORTABLE-DOG-PET-CAT-EXERCISE-PLAY-PEN-CAGE-TENT-XXL-/260761322123?pt=AU_Pet_Supplies&hash=item3cb696028b Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laneka Posted February 3, 2012 Share Posted February 3, 2012 I crate train mine in hard crates then I have the option of which I use. I have both types. I tend to use the soft for shows and when we go away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rileys mum Posted February 3, 2012 Author Share Posted February 3, 2012 Cheers but Im not needing to crate train them. I have hard wire crates at home and both are crate trained already....needing advice re the soft crates vs the soft pen enclosures i have seen (the one in the link). will be using them at shows/training. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebanne Posted February 3, 2012 Share Posted February 3, 2012 I have no basis for what I am about to write but I would prefer the crate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dogsfevr Posted February 3, 2012 Share Posted February 3, 2012 There very flimsy so you would want a well trained dog in it ,the mesh isn't always the toughest either. The last one i saw at the shows blew away,granted it had chi.s in it but there not as solid as the soft crates Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rileys mum Posted February 3, 2012 Author Share Posted February 3, 2012 thanks guys, you confirmed my thinking. I just wasnt sure if they were sturdy because the extra room did look inviting but its no good if it wont stay up etc. My two are really good in their crates but I think i will go ahead and get a soft crate. Cheers again :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vacuna Posted February 3, 2012 Share Posted February 3, 2012 Soft pens have a large mesh area - no good for my toys as they are likely to chew their way out. Even in the soft crate they learnt to open the zip so I only use my hard crates at shows. I am not comfortable with having my dog run to meet me as I return from the ring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
voloclydes Posted February 3, 2012 Share Posted February 3, 2012 um i gave up on soft crates when the dally rolled all round the floor in his soft crate! :D we have light weight mesh ones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roova Posted February 3, 2012 Share Posted February 3, 2012 Don't the soft crates usually come with sturdy pegs you can use to keep the crate stationary? A smaller soft crate I bought came with a set of yellow ones. I'm sure the larger crates would too. If they don't come with their own pegs, you could probably use tent pegs? In the link you can see a round loop which a tent peg would easily go through right near the opening. I wonder if there's more loops around the perimeter? I guess only useful if you have the crate on softer ground though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
becks Posted February 3, 2012 Share Posted February 3, 2012 I wouldn't use the pens when out as mine would just jump out and come looking for me! :laugh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeltaCharlie Posted February 3, 2012 Share Posted February 3, 2012 I know of a few people that use the soft pens and love them. One has border collies and the other has belgian shepherds. I am pretty sure the one that DOLer meglet uses actually has a roof that can be zipped onto it, perhaps message her? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rileys mum Posted February 3, 2012 Author Share Posted February 3, 2012 Yeah the pens do have mesh roofs that are zipped on. They are fully enclosed. My two are very good in their crates so Im not so much concerned about escapes etc as both options are fully enclosed...was more worried about stability of the pens as they are a meter tall and i think if a wall got lent on etc it may not stay upright. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rajacadoo Posted February 4, 2012 Share Posted February 4, 2012 I had one similar to these, and I put a litter of 7 week old Basenjis in it, sleeping... Have an hour later the whole thing had moved about 20 metres from where I left it :) ... Wouldnt trust a GSP in it !!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dame Aussie Posted February 4, 2012 Share Posted February 4, 2012 That pen looks really cool. I might get one Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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