soft sided dog crate for a destructive puppy?

[Barney's Mom]

We are planning a trip to the beach and I keep thinking it would be nice to buy one of those soft sided, easy set up dog crates for traveling and at the beach house. I don't relish the thought of lugging his heavy metal crate on vacation, and in and out of the hotel on the way down and back. And the hard plastic carriers look like they don't have a whole lot of viewing or ventilation. Those soft side crates look so convenient and LIGHT, but here's my questions:

(Keep in mind, Barney is a wild man!)

1. Do they tip over easily with a rambuncious puppy knocking around inside?

2. Could he scratch the mesh on the sides and tear it with his claws? I could see him trying to do that when all excited.

The convenience factor is HUGE, but what are the chances Barney would destroy my investment? Anyone with

experience in these carriers, please pass it along!

Thanks!!!

[AllAboutPetey]

I don't have any experience with the soft-sided carriers, but have always used the hard plastic ones with no problem with ventilation. I don't sit them right next to the wall, though. Belle travels in hers even in the car. Petey's is broken down (they come apart and one side sits in the other and kind of makes like a laundry basket effect, so you can pack stuff in there (beach towels and such). Then, when you need it, snap it together, and it's good to go. I had to actually go out and buy Petey a new crate when we were at the beach during Spring Break because there wasn't an ideal area of the beach house there to confine them in...better safe than sorry. Don't forget baby gates if you have them.

P.S. I used to keep Petey in a mesh-sided baby playpen when he was a puppy, even using a thin piece of plywood as a "lid". One day I noticed him sitting right next to me looking very proud of himself. He had chewed his way out of the mesh side. There was a big gaping hole. All the while I'm just sitting at my desk working and didn't even notice until too late.

[bradl]

We only switch to soft-side crates for the doggos proven to be calm in them. We use the plastic crates for travel and the metal ones stay in the kitchen/hallway.

[goforette]

I have the soft sided crate - I think it's called the port-a-crate. We love it. Right now both of them fit in it, although when they get a little bigger only one will fit. We'll probably have to invest in another one. The mesh is really tight and small so they can't claw it, and there's nothing to chew in the inside. It's got locking metal. My girls have their moments in it where they play hard with each other but I wouldn't say they get out of control in it. Basically they love it and react super well in it. We've used it since day one when we brought them home and they go everywhere in it. I take them to Home Depot, Walmart etc. They just sit there super calm, not a bark, nothing. They love traveling in it. I tell them want to go bye bye and in they go. It's got a great shoulder strap - although I admit between the both of them I'm sure we're at 12-13lbs. So it is getting heavy for me to do the shoulder these days.

[Eliz222]

We have a soft crate that Scout destroyed when she was a puppy. She was a BIG chewer and HATED to be in crates. I don't think I would invest in one if you think your puppy might damage it. We can still use it (we use it for the cat now), but it sure has seen better days!

We have a hard crate and never had ventilation problems. They are easy to clean and light enough to take on a trip.

If you really want to try one, I would buy it a few weeks before the trip and let Barney get use to it. Vacations can be stressful on puppies, and having a crate that he is comfortable with will be a plus.

Good luck on your vacation....and be sure to take lots of pics!

[Brody'sMom]

We have every dog crate ever invented. Actually, we have two of every kind! We have two soft-sided varieties: 1) constructed of mesh and canvas over a metal frame. It is very sturdy, yet lightweight. An accomplished chewer could probably chew the mesh parts. It folds down but is still bulky; 2) constructed exactly like a pop-up hamper. This is very flimsy, but works well in the car. This "crate" is great because it folds down to a very small size. This would be no match for a chewer and has it has no stability. Cairns left on their own could easily turn it into a cairn-sized hampsterball!

[mrskti]

if there's any chance they can chew it.....they will! I'd rather have one I dont have to worry about while gone from home. We have one of every kind too. Our favorite is the ones that fan fold down and the door can open either direction.....

[toomanypaws]

We have plastic kennels for our three and they seem to love the security of them. My oldest, Kiara only wants hers when there's a thunderstorm. We also use the same kennels for traveling.

[hallswel]

I have plastic, wire and soft sided. One of my soft sided was destroyed by Rebel when he was about 6 months, he wanted out so he got out. I like the wire and use them in the house. I have a plastic that I have in the car and use for shows. Sugar likes it and it folds down very small and is light weight, I have a plastic I have at work in case I have to go out of the the office while one of them is here with me.

The fold up one is great on trips. It is like this one http://www.carealotpets.com/item-detail/?I...000000000001271 I found it at a local farm store, I got a bigger size. I like it because the door opens either way and it has plenty of air holds, folds down. I also figure it would be good with puppies because you can get them out from the top. not so easy for them to bolt out the door, not that a Cairn puppy would do that.

[mrskti]

Liz that last crate is the one we have for the girls, we leave them in FL, they are really nice though arent they? I like the way the door works....although one day i thought i latched it, and dori met me at the door....so guess I didnt!!! guess ya got to be smarter than the crate! Ha!

[kayharley]

Elliott chewed his Sherpa travel crate in less than an hour. He also destroyed the mesh on it in even less time.