Where to put the recovery crate

Your dog’s recovery crate needs to be positioned somewhere that will stay comfortable all day and all night. Look for a spot that’ll be away from draughts and out of direct sunlight. 

If possible, put the crate into a room in which your dog has always liked to rest. Your dog will need to get outdoors to toilet and, as stairs will probably be out of bounds during early recovery, it’s generally best to put the crate in a downstairs room if possible. Many owners choose to position the crate in the living room or another room that is very familiar to the dog. 

Most dogs also prefer to be in an area of the house that is regularly used, so that they can see people coming and going now and again. However, if your confined dog seems to get upset by people or other dogs going past, then you may need to find a quieter spot. Bear in mind that your dog won’t be able to escape from noisy family games or arguments. 

Dogs have sensitive ears, so it is best not to put the crate too close to the washing machine, tumble drier, TV or other machines, as the dog will not be able to escape from the noise or vibrations. 

For most dogs, it’s best to place the crate well away from radiators and heaters to prevent overheating. However, if your dog loves warmth and always chooses to rest by a heat source then, in a cold house, you may consider putting one short end of the crate next to a fairly warm radiator. A small gap between crate and radiator will prevent burns. This gives your dog a chance to rest in a warm spot. If you try this, then it is essential to follow the following safety guidelines: 

• If the crate is small, do not place it next to a radiator as the dog will overheat.
• Watch your dog very closely to start with. If he or she is panting, move the crate to a much cooler position. 
• Always have fresh water available inside the crate. 

If draughts around the crate are unavoidable, e.g. at night, then use blankets over or around the crate as insulation.

Whenever your dog comes out of the crate, it’s always best if they can step straight out onto non-slip flooring. Tiles, laminate or linoleum generally don’t offer good enough footing for a recovering dog, so either opt for a carpeted room or place some non-slip matting around the crate entrance.