Okay, so, the other day I had a bit of a situation with my dog’s crate. You know how it is, you get a crate, and you think it’s all good, but then you realize the latches aren’t exactly the best.
My dog, he’s a smart one. He figured out how to nudge the latch just right to get it open. First time it happened, I came home to him just lounging on the couch, looking all innocent. I thought, “Did I forget to close the crate?”
But then it happened again. And again. Clearly, I needed to do something about these latches.
The Investigation Begins
I started looking at the latches themselves. They were those basic slide-bolt ones, you know the type? Nothing fancy. I tried bending them a bit, tightening the screws, the usual stuff. No luck. He still managed to wiggle them open.
Seeking Solutions
I thought about getting a whole new crate. Soft-sided ones, wire ones, even those fancy wooden ones that look like furniture. I just didn’t want him to get hurt while trying to escape. I also worried about him getting his collar stuck in the crate somehow.
Then I remembered someone telling me about using a safety clip to secure the latch. It’s a simple idea, just something to make it harder for him to mess with it.
Putting It to the Test
- I found some sturdy clips at the hardware store, the kind you use for keychains or something similar.
- I attached one to the crate door, right where the latch meets the frame.
- It wasn’t foolproof, but it added an extra step he would have to defeat to get out.
Success! (For Now…)
So far, so good. He hasn’t managed to escape since I added the clip. I’m keeping an eye on it, of course. Dogs can be pretty persistent when they want something!
It’s a work in progress. I might still look into those crate bumpers I read about, just to make it even safer. But for now, the clip is doing its job. It’s funny how such a small thing can make such a big difference. I guess it’s all about finding what works for your furry friend and staying one step ahead of them!
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