Crate for Anxious Bracco Italiano

A vet recommending crate training for anxiety-driven destruction is a really solid starting point — done right, a crate becomes a genuine safe space rather than a punishment, and it can make a big difference for a dog who struggles with overstimulation or being left alone. Bracco Italianos are a large, sensitive breed, so getting the size and feel of the crate right matters a lot. Before I point you toward anything specific: how much does your dog weigh roughly, and do you have a sense of how severe the anxiety is — are we talking chewed furniture when left for an hour, or something more intense? And will this crate mainly live at home, or do you need it to work for travel too?

That level of destruction in 20 minutes tells me the anxiety kicks in fast — likely separation anxiety rather than just boredom. That's actually important for the crate choice, because a dog in that state needs something that feels genuinely secure, not just contained. For a 35kg Bracco, you're looking at an XXL crate — roughly 122cm long. My concern with fabric or soft-sided crates for your situation is that an anxious dog can push or chew through them, which makes the anxiety worse and sets back training. Can I ask: has he ever been in a crate before, or is this completely from scratch?

That's the right instinct to have, and it's why the introduction matters as much as the crate itself. A well-introduced crate doesn't feel like a trap — it feels like the one place where nothing unpredictable happens, which is exactly what an anxious dog craves. For your dog, I'd recommend the MidWest Homes for Pets iCrate in the 48-inch size. It's a double-door wire crate with a divider panel, which is useful because you can make the space smaller at the start of training and expand it as he settles. Wire construction means he can see out and feel part of the room rather than shut away, and it's robust enough that a determined dog isn't going to push through it. It folds flat, the price is sensible, and it's widely used in vet-recommended crate training programmes. Cover three sides with a blanket once he's comfortable — that creates the den feel without blocking his view of the room entirely.

For a dog with genuine separation anxiety, be realistic — you're probably looking at 4 to 8 weeks of consistent work before he'll settle calmly for an hour or more. The first week is just about making the crate a good place: meals near it, treats tossed inside, door open. Week two you start closing the door briefly while you're still in the room. You build duration very slowly. The key mistake people make is progressing too fast and leaving the dog alone before he's ready — that sets everything back. Given what your vet has flagged, it's worth asking them whether a behaviourist referral alongside the crate training would help, especially if the anxiety is severe. The crate is a tool, not a cure on its own.

That's exactly the right approach — slow introduction, consistency, and keeping your own energy calm when you put him in and take him out. Avoid big fuss at either end, as that amplifies the transition. The 48-inch MidWest iCrate is easy to find on Amazon UK and comes with the divider panel included, so you have everything you need from day one. Good luck with him — Braccos are clever and deeply attached to their people, which is why the anxiety happens, and it's also why they tend to respond well once they feel genuinely secure.