Crate training a Shar Pei with skin issues

Crate training works best when the crate becomes a place the dog genuinely wants to be — and that means getting the size, type, and introduction approach right from the start. With a Shar Pei cross who already has skin irritation, the bedding choice is going to matter just as much as the crate itself, so it's worth thinking about both together. Can you tell me: what mix is the cross, are you starting fresh with the crate or trying to undo a bad association, and is this mainly for home use or do you need it for travel too?

That's a really sensible concern — Shar Pei skin is notoriously reactive, and the Staffy side doesn't help either since Staffies are also prone to contact allergies. Rough or heavily synthetic fibres can absolutely trigger flare-ups, especially if she's lying on the same surface for hours overnight. Before I point you to a specific bed, a couple of quick questions: does she tend to curl up or stretch out when she sleeps, and has she shown any reaction to particular materials before — fleece, for example, or foam?

That's really useful — and it actually makes the decision quite clear. Given she stretches, reacts to fleece, and does well with cotton, I'd go with the Best Friends by Sheri OrthoComfort Deep Dish Cuddler in a large size, but specifically look for the version with the removable, machine-washable cotton-blend cover rather than the sherpa-lined one. The base filling is orthopaedic foam, which won't harbour allergens the way loose fibre fill can, and the bolster sides give her something to lean against without forcing her to curl. The cover washes easily, which matters a lot with reactive skin — you want to be washing it weekly at least. It's widely available on Amazon UK. For the crate itself, a 42-inch single-door wire crate gives her enough room to stretch without feeling exposed, and wire is better than plastic for airflow, which also helps with skin that gets hot and irritated.

Go slowly and let her lead the pace — four years old is fine, it just takes a bit more patience than a puppy. Start with the door off entirely and put the bed inside with a few treats scattered on it. Don't coax her in, just let her investigate on her own terms over a few days. Feed her meals near the crate, then just inside the entrance, then at the back. Once she's going in voluntarily and relaxed, add the door — leave it open at first, then close it for thirty seconds while you're still in the room, and build from there in small increments. The key is that she never feels trapped. With her skin in mind, also make sure the crate isn't near a radiator or in direct sun — heat will make any irritation worse overnight.

Good luck — she sounds like a dog who'll take to it once she trusts the space is hers. Keep an eye on her belly and inner legs in the first week with the new bed just to confirm she's not reacting, and if the cover ever pills or roughens after washing, replace it promptly rather than waiting. The goal is that the crate becomes the place she chooses to go, not just tolerates — and with the right bedding, that usually happens faster than people expect.