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 Expert Advice

Recovery & Crate Tips

Helpful guidance to make your dog's crate experience positive and stress-free.

Recovery Tips

Having been through this ourselves, we know few things are worse than hearing the vet say "Cage Rest." Here are tips we found that helped us through this process:

Making Your Pet's Crate a Comfy and Safe Place

Adding something like their favourite blanket makes a huge difference. They have been through a traumatic experience and your goal should be to make their temporary home as calm, comfortable and enjoyable as possible. Also make sure that they are warm enough as a metal crate can get chilly.

Snuggle Up With Your Pet

Your pet might fear the crate (how would you feel coming out of surgery and then being behind bars?). To help get them used to it, place them in the crate but keep the door open and snuggle up nice and close with your arm/hand in the crate to help calm them down. Talk to them in a positive way, maybe adding a special biscuit. The crate must be a positive space with no negative connections.

Sticking to a Routine

After an injury or surgery, the best thing for your pet mentally is to stick to their normal routine. If your pet's normal routine would be to sleep in your room, staying near you during the day, etc., the crate helps to keep that normal routine. Keep your pet close to you so that they don't feel abandoned and get depressed. Stick to a routine with potty breaks (min. 5 times a day) keeping each break to no more than five minutes.

Minimize Disturbances

Keep your friends and family updated on your pet's progress, so that they also understand what your pet needs. Also post a 'Be Quiet' or 'Don't knock – Phone us' sign at your front door. A ringing doorbell or knock on the front door can cause your dog to jump and bark, which could lead to improper healing or re-injury.

Find Out What Your Pet Can Do

Ask your veterinarian for rehab exercises or massage techniques that might help keep your pet comfortable whilst on crate rest. Also try adding a few toys to keep them stimulated (just check with your Vet).

Keep Your Pet on Cage Rest for the Complete Prescribed Period

We know this is very hard as most people usually let their pet out of the crate before the recommended rest period is over. This is because it looks like their pet is feeling better, they feel bad, or the pet starts "complaining". Failing to complete the recommended crate rest leads to improper healing and a greater chance of re-injury.

Travelling Tips

For a lot of pet parents, taking a break is just not the same without your four-legged friend. The transition part can be stressful, but with a little planning the routine can stay calm:

Prep Your Pet

Travelling can be very stressful for your pet, so before taking your pet on the long drive, first try a few short trips. Take them with when you go fill up the car or maybe even when picking up the kids from school. The shorter trips without stops will get your pet used to the motion of the car. Once you are back home, remember to give a lot of praise for how brave they were during the trip.

Be Safe

Use a well-ventilated and secure crate (in other words – a YOYO crate) when moving your pet between care areas. Keep the crate stable so it does not slide or tip during any transfer.

Be Prepared

Make sure you have a leash, water bowl, eco-friendly poop bags, etc. This will make pit stops easy allowing your furry friend to roam a little, have a drink and do their business. Tip: when deciding where to stop look for a place with lots of grass. It will make the break more relaxed as you won't need to worry about cars or roads.

Don't Leave Your Pet in the Vehicle

Have the AC on whilst driving as it makes your pet much more comfortable. Don't let your pet's head hang out of the open window as it is not safe. And NEVER leave a pet alone in a car. Even on cooler days a car becomes a furnace when left standing. Also keep in mind that your pet can't move around if in the crate, so check that they are not completely in the sun for the whole trip.

Training Tips

Getting a puppy is a wonderful experience. With these top tips to quickly and easily train your puppy using a YOYO Crate, there will be no need to worry:

Why YOYO wire crates are great for training: Their mesh-like, collapsible structure makes them easy to disassemble and transport. When constructed, they provide high visibility and ventilation for your pup. They are also easy to clean should your pup have an accident. Sturdy and often escape-proof, YOYO crates make a great option for growing dogs.

Introducing the Crate

Place the crate in a familiar place where you and your pet spend lots of time (e.g., the living room). Make the inside comfy with a blanket or towel and leave the door of the crate open for your pet to explore on their own time. If they are shy or scared, leave a few treats in the crate to show them it is a nice place to be. Praise your pet once they get into the crate by themselves.

Having Meals in the Crate

Once they are a little more comfortable in the crate, start feeding your pet inside the crate (with the gate still open). This will give them a pleasant association with the crate.

Closing the Crate

Once they are comfortable with eating completely inside the crate, start to close the gate. Only keep the gate closed for as long as they eat and open it up again once they are finished eating. With each feeding try and leave them in the crate for a little longer period. If they start to whine, open the crate immediately. However, if they whine again, wait until they stop before letting them out or you will teach them that whining equals open door.

Extending the Crate Time

Now that they are comfortable in the crate, try extending the time they spend in there. Include a couple of minutes where you leave the room so that they get used to the idea of being in the crate by themselves. When you return, don't open the crate immediately. Instead, sit with them again for a few more minutes and then open the door. Keep increasing the time until your puppy can stay in the locked crate for half an hour without your presence.

Opening & Closing Your YOYO Crate

Two quick demonstrations show how to unfold the crate safely and collapse it back when you're done.

Open the crate

Follow the first video slowly so the frame locks into position without twisting any panels.

Watch on YouTube

Close the crate

The second video walks through flattening the crate without stressing the hinges so it is ready for transport.

Watch on YouTube

Related Reading

Explore our blog for more in-depth articles on pet care and recovery.

Is Crating a Dog Cruel?

Are you using your pet crate correctly? Read our insights.

What to Expect After Pet Surgery

A guide to post-surgery care for your dog.

Need a Recovery Crate?

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