Encouraging your puppy or dog to sleep in a crate can be beneficial for dogs that wander during the night, those that are being house-trained, and those that aren’t sleeping as long as they should through the night. Many people like to have their dogs continue to sleep in a crate as they mature, because the crate gives the dog a space of their own and it can reduce the stress and anxiety that some dogs face.
Corgis, in particular, are inquisitive and energetic dogs, despite their small stature. Left to their own devices, some Corgis will pace and investigate all night long, rather than sleeping and winding down. Corgis can definitely benefit from being given their own crate. Generally, you want the crate to be at least 2 inches longer than your Corgi from nose to tail.
Corgis & Crates
Corgis can be given crates to sleep in, and the crate should be large enough that your Corgi can turn around but not so large that they have too much room to wander. Generally, it is recommended that a crate be the length of your dog from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail plus at least 2 inches.
If you’re buying for an adult Corgi, you can measure the length, add 2–3 inches, and buy a crate that size. If your Corgi is a puppy and you want your Corgi to have a crate throughout its life, this may mean buying a puppy crate and then graduating to a full crate when your Corgi reaches full maturity.
Crate Size
It’s difficult to say exactly how big a crate you will need. Corgis can grow to different lengths and some Pembroke Welsh Corgis are born without tails while some are born with tails, which can obviously make a big difference to their length. Generally, however, you will need a crate measuring between 18 and 24 inches long, and for a large Corgi, you can consider a crate up to 30 inches long.
Crate Placement
If you are using a crate for a puppy and they haven’t slept in a crate before, it may be a good idea to have it in or somewhere near your room. Puppies are very sociable and yours might get stressed out at being left alone and not in close proximity. As the dog ages, you can move the crate gradually further away from your room until it is in a different room or even on a different floor of the house.
In any case, the crate should be in a quiet area where people won’t pass by when they go to the bathroom or at other times of the night. It should be away from drafts and in an area that is a comfortable temperature. Make sure the crate is not too close to power cords or potentially toxic houseplants.
What To Put in The Crate
At the very least, you will want some kind of cover to put on the bottom of the crate, especially if the base of the crate is the same wire construction as the walls and roof.
If you’re buying for a puppy, make sure it is cushioned and comfortable but also waterproof, because accidents can happen, and they are more common during the night when your puppy will have to go several hours without a trip outdoors. Try to choose something that is chew-proof, too, because if your puppy struggles being put in the crate they may chew at the cushion during the night. Senior dogs may also need waterproof bedding because older dogs can be prone to uncontrolled urination.
If you choose a covered cushion, it is a good idea to buy one with a machine-washable cover. This makes care and cleaning a lot easier than if you have to wash the bedding by hand.
Adding a water bowl to a crate can be a bad idea. Freestanding bowls are easily knocked over, even by accident, which means that your dog will be left sleeping on damp bedding and you’ll have a lot more cleaning up to do in the morning. A clip-on bowl may be suitable and ensures that your pup has access to fresh water whenever it needs it.
You shouldn’t need to leave food in the bowl overnight and doing so can lead to a mess of food, both whole and chewed, for your dog to roll in and you to clean up.
You can also add a small number of crate toys to keep your dog entertained, but remember there won’t be a lot of room in the crate once your dog is in there. Try to avoid any toys that are easily destroyed, but you could add a puzzle feeder with a small number of treats.
Safety Tips
Dogs should ideally have their collars and tags removed before getting in the crate. If the collar gets snagged on the crate walls, it could prove disastrous and at the very least leave your dog very uncomfortable for the night.
Make sure the crate is not near electrical wires, houseplants, or anything that they can chew and might cause injury to them. The crate should be large enough for your dog to comfortably turn around, therefore preventing muscular problems.
If your dog chews at the crate bars and the bars become damaged, you need to ensure that it is still safe for use. A damaged bar can cause injury and because there isn’t a lot of room to move, it only takes your dog trying to turn around to catch on the damaged wire.
Conclusion
Many dog owners swear by the use of dog crates to encourage a good night’s sleep for their dogs and themselves. The crate should be big enough for the dog to comfortably turn around but not so large that they have too much space. Measure your Corgi from the end of their tail to the tip of their nose and add 2–3 inches.
This is the ideal length of the crate, which should have a cushioned base. You can also add a clip-on water bowl to provide fresh water as needed and may add one or two toys that are not easily destroyed.
Featured Image Credit: Jus_Ol, Shutterstock
