I've heard good things about both, but didn't use either. I would be careful about what you put in the crate with puppy - some of them can chew up even the toughest materials. I just used old blankets/towels for my pup - Now he gets more comfortable blankets, but he still can't be trusted alone with a bed/pad. There's too many dragons hiding out in the stuffing, he has no choice but to destroy them to protect his mommy.

 

I was under the impression that blankets in the crate with puppys were a no-no? Maybe I read wrong. And these offer tie downs, so hopefully that works.

If its safe, maybe we will just start with cheapo fleece blankets?

Chesa,

From input on previous long DT thread on subject, I believe either brand would be good:
http://www.dobermantalk.com/puppy-corner/261873-7-month-old-destroying-her-bed.html#post3754634

I have good experience with K9 Ballistics, but have never had Primo pads, which are also highly recommended. So, far over on year usage with both Spock & Eva crates with zero chewing or damage. Just washed both yesterday. Ideally, I would get 2-sets for each crate, but they are somewhat expensive. :2smile:

Expensive is right, lol. Looking at 63$ either way I go, lol. Maybe I will hold off until potty training is complete before investing in one? I certainly don't want to spend that money to have it destroyed quickly, but the pup wont be unsupervised much in the crate, only during bed time, so I am not sure which route to go.

 

Chesa,

From input on previous long DT thread on subject, I believe either brand would be good:
http://www.dobermantalk.com/puppy-corner/261873-7-month-old-destroying-her-bed.html#post3754634

I have good experience with K9 Ballistics, but have never had Primo pads, which are also highly recommended. So, far over on year usage with both Spock & Eva crates with zero chewing or damage. Just washed both yesterday. Ideally, I would get 2-sets for each crate, but they are somewhat expensive. :2smile:

 

I was under the impression that blankets in the crate with puppys were a no-no? Maybe I read wrong. And these offer tie downs, so hopefully that works.

If its safe, maybe we will just start with cheapo fleece blankets?

I'm no expert, that's just what worked for me. I used one of those fleece "tie" blankets (flipped inside out so that the ties were on the inside) covered in some old, thick beach towels. My guy isn't a shredder or anything though (except the one nice bed I bought him, but it was infested with dragons...). The most he really did was dig his blankets out of the way if he couldn't find his kong. He also was never in his crate at night, he sleeps on a cheapo walmart bed right next to our bed. I'm a really light sleeper, so I can always tell when he's up to something.

I think it depends on your pup. If you are worried, you can try introducing them to different types of blankets/pads and see how they react. Otherwise the tie-downs will probably be ok.

 

I use a Primo Pad when traveling however at home I use Kuranda beds. I have one Kuranda bed that is 12 years old and another one that is 4 years. They do cost more however I paid for them once and have never had to replace either one.

 

Well with the partition, I wont be able to use a raised bed, but this will be an awesome thing for our boy when he travels to work with my SO. Thanks for the idea!

 

My Dobes love the fleece blankets, however, it seems to inspire the blanket sucker and you have to watch for that.
The K9 Ballistic look nice, wash up like a breeze, but my Chinese Crested and Staffybull, shredded them in no time. The company is great and after I notified them with a picture of the damage, they replaced all of them. Great foir traveling more than leaving in the crate all the time.
I wouldn't trust anything with a puppy yet as they are so unpredictable. Use sheets at first and through teething. They don't seem to suck on the sheets either, and forget anything sheep fleece or like.

 

It's really going to depend on your pup. The Primo Pads are much more difficult to chew or dig at - my boy can ONLY use those in his crate. He will destroy anything else. They are more of a vinyl, heavy duty pad. They aren't really "soft" or cushiony...but a little more cushion than just the crate tray (it replaces the tray). They are easier to clean by just wiping them.

I have the K9 Ballistics orthopedic pad in my girl's crate. It's still tougher than a lot of crate pads, but it CAN be chewed or have a hole ripped by a digger, even though it zip ties down. My boy chewed his. It has a lot more cushion, though. It is harder to clean, because it's not a smooth surface, although it can be cleaned.

I recommend both, but without knowing what your pup will be like it's hard to say what you'll need. My default would be to get a Primo Pad.

 

I have Primo Pads in my crates and am happy with them. My oldest is a couple years old and doing well, so I ordered more for our other crates after my last foster destroyed the crate pan in the other crate.

 

I have primo pads and have been pretty happy with them. My Harvard does destroy them given time (he digs in them), but they do tend to last a long time. Have never had the other brand.

 

So for a new puppy, what do you think would be better?

The crate tray it came with, with some old towels/sheets in there, or a Primo Pad?

My only worry with a puppy and the primo pad, is that if he has an accident, it will run off into the floor. Atleast the crate tray would keep it from meandering all around the house while we slept.

 

Ideally, your puppy shouldn't be having an accident in the crate. If it were me, I'd either do no pad or towels - just the tray - or I'd do a Primo Pad.

 

We have used both types of crate pads. Both are quality products and they may work fine for a small puppy. If you have an older puppy or young adult that is a chewer or digger, they will destroy either fairly quickly.

 

Well, just ordered a Primo pad... I liked the fact that its not too bed like, but softer than just the crate tray. I got it with the locking tie downs, but will try it without those attached and on the tray for a while, just in case of accidents.

Thinking I may end up ordering a K9 Ballistics orthopedic bed for the little guy, for when he goes to work with my BF. He will have a section of the shop portioned off for him (away from anything dangerous) and the bed can withstand hopefully since he will be under supervision.

 

Had good luck with K9 Ballistics.