Escape-proof crate for Brittany Spaniel

A Brittany who's cracked how to open standard latches — that's a very specific problem, and honestly it's more common in high-drive sporting breeds than people expect. The good news is you don't need to start the crate relationship over from scratch; you just need a crate with a latch mechanism he physically can't manipulate. Before I point you in the right direction: is he getting out by nosing the door upward, pawing the latch sideways, or something else — and is he fully relaxed once he's out, or is there still anxiety driving the escape attempts?

Perfect — that tells me everything. This is pure problem-solving behaviour, not distress, which means you don't need to change anything about how you're using the crate, just the crate itself. What you need is a two-point latch where the door has to move in two separate directions to open — something he can't replicate with a single upward nose-push. What size crate are you currently using, and roughly how big is he? Brittanys vary more than people think.

Good — 36 inch is the right size for him, so you're not changing that. My recommendation is the Midwest Homes for Pets Ovation Single Door Crate in the 36-inch size. It uses a two-point slide-bolt latch system — one bolt at the top of the door, one at the bottom — and both have to be disengaged simultaneously to open. A dog nudging upward with his nose only releases one bolt; the door stays shut. It's a genuinely different mechanism from the standard single-pin designs, not just a sturdier version of the same thing. The wire gauge is also heavier than most mid-range crates, which matters for a dog who's been working at a door. It folds flat for the car, which keeps your current routine intact. The only thing to note: the first few times you close it, make sure both bolts are fully seated — they need a firm push to engage properly, and if one isn't fully home, a determined dog will find it.

Because his relationship with crating is already positive — he's relaxed in it, the escape is a game not a panic — you can swap it in without a formal reintroduction. Put his existing bedding straight in so it smells familiar, feed him a meal in it with the door open on the first day, and close it that night as normal. He'll investigate the new latches, almost certainly test them, and find they don't give. Most dogs accept that within a day or two and stop trying. If he does seem unsettled by the unfamiliar crate in the first couple of nights, just go back to basics briefly — door open, treats tossed in, short closed periods before building back to overnight. But I'd expect you won't need to.

You're all set. One last thing worth knowing: the Ovation's door swings fully open to 180 degrees and can be pinned back, which is handy if you use the crate as an open den during the day. Makes it a more natural space for him to wander in and out of, which keeps the positive association strong even when it's not being used for containment.