Graduating from the crate

I have been trying to crate-train Ellie for a number of months now, ever since I realized that she was slightly destructive when left to her own devices. If allowed, she would get onto the furniture (where she's not allowed) or scratch at any closed doors, including the front door.

Well, I finally realized that it was not the fact that she was left alone, but the beeping from the cable box that caused Ellie so much anxiety which lead to her destructive behaviors.

A few months ago, I traded out the cable box and there have been no beeps and no anxious episodes since. And last week, I decided to give her another chance at being left alone without being confined to the crate.

I am pleased to report that she is doing famously! When I return home from being away, she sleepily trots to the door to greet me. In other words, she isn't waiting by the door panting from anxiety of being alone or scared. She is well-rested, and even ate any treats that I left (something she won't do when anxious)!

While I am still crating her at night so that she stays used to the concept, it is such a relief to know that I can leave her home alone and she can still stretch her legs and get water when she needs it!

To Crate or Not to Crate...

So Ellie is what I like to call a frequent vomiter. I suppose she has a sensitive or highly acidic stomach because she throws up at least once per week, and sometimes more.

I have been to the vet multiple times about this. The first time, I got some expensive prescription pills, the second time, they told me to feed her a bland diet of rice and cottage cheese, now they are telling me that it's fine to give her famotidine (Pepcid) daily to reduce the acid activity.

Despite her nightly dosage of meds, she continues to throw up once in a while, including 4 separate piles last night, some of which got on my curtains!

So now I'm thinking of changing two things: her food, and getting a crate.

I'm looking on Craigslist for a crate and they seem to range from $30-$60, but I found a store online where I can get the one I want for about $62. What do you think I should do?

Lastly, anyone got any good resources for first-time crate training? Anything is appreciated, thanks!