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Labrador Gets Soft Crate, Owners Instantly Regret Their 'Good Idea'

Labrador Gets Soft Crate, Owners Instantly Regret Their 'Good Idea'

Newsweek07-07-2025
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
The owners of a Labrador retriever named Leila thought it was a good idea to buy their pup a soft crate, but immediately changed their mind once she stepped foot into it.
In a viral Instagram video shared in April under the username @sugarrushtails, the posters recall "that time we thought a soft crate for a Lab [Labrador retriever] puppy was a good idea..." as their pup Leila is seen rolling on the floor with her crate non-stop.
"This will never be old," the caption says.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) explains that crate training can make life a lot easier for both dogs and their owners, and should be carried out as soon as you get your pup home.
Crates help dogs deal with stress during emergencies. They are a great self-soothing tool for dogs who deal with anxiety, or for pups who become distressed during events like thunderstorms, constructions or fireworks.
They are also just a great place to escape when life gets too chaotic or scary, and they can be a comforting place to sleep when your pup is confronted with a challenging situation like the arrival of a baby or a new pet.
There are different kinds of dog crates available and which one you should buy depends on your dog's physical characteristics as well as their personality.
Plastic crates are cheap, lightweight and easy to carry around, but they are also low on airflow and that can cause a dog to overheat in hot weather.
Metal ones have high airflow, and allow your pup to see around them, making them feel more comfortable, but they can also rust, or damage your pup's teeth if they have the bad habit of chewing things off.
Soft-sided crates like the one in the clip are lightweight and easy to travel with, but they are not durable, and are very easy to escape.
A stock image shows a chocolate Labrador retriever puppy inside a crate.
A stock image shows a chocolate Labrador retriever puppy inside a crate.
getty images
The video quickly went viral on social media and it has so far received over 13 million views and 559,529 likes.
One user, Iambrandilokey, commented: "I actually used to put my husky in one of these when she wanted to go outside and I was doing stuff she's a runner so when she's out she has to be on a leash and I put her in that she can't run she just rolls around the yard."
Jennyu_repay said: "Ma'am that's a college student's laundry basket."
Livingluxewithlauren added: "Gentle parenting is for gentle children."
Newsweek reached out to @sugarrushtails for comment via Instagram chat. We could not verify the details of the case.
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
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