Dog Escapes Kennel And Goes Home For Sale (2024 Update)

Purchased 2 of these kennels after using a pet mate sky kennel for years. Received one of two broken during shipping. The kennels are made of a cheap plastic that cracked assumingely upon an impact during shipping. Pet mate is replacing unit, however the quality is not that of the unit I’ve had for 10+ years. I guess in retrospect, I should have spent more to get the sky kennels in hopes price would dictate better quality.Cavalier owners

I have raised and bred German Shepherds for several years. Those who do breed know how destructive pets can be at breeding time. I know of dogs that have clawed and chewed through chain-link fencing. I bought this kennel system already knowing what consequences there could be. In giving this a 5 star rating I have to say it surpassed my expectations. Not a link was damaged and my pet remained secure and safe. I bought 4 extra panels along with the kennel deck. You can make this as big as you like and as you an afford to. Very highly recommend this. It does as it saysLJShepherd

The kennel was very easy to assemble, is sturdy, and has a nice wide door which can be opened in or out. I was disappointed that the door latch cannot be moved. I prefer to have the latch high up so the dogs can't reach it. If the latch isn't in the correct position, a dog can force it to unlatch, which actually happened with our old kennel. The top is not waterproof so our dogs would get wet when it rains. We had to buy a waterproof tarp to replace the top. We actually bought two kennels and joined them together to make one large kennel for our two dogs. I gave it an average rating due to the latch issue and the top which is not waterproof.Leonard

They are just the right height for easy cleaning. The panels allow me to add kennels when needed. I purchased Predator roofs for ultimate saftey of our animals that have access to their doggie doors at night and can just enter the kennel and do their business (Our property backs to a cattle ranch). My young puppies easily transitioned to these outdoor kennels after learnign to go on a potty patch. I also like the shade tarp that comes with. These are very reasonable.Cecilia

This kennel is strong. The tie-down holes, one per corner, go through both the top half and the bottom half of the kennel, which is an excellent improvement over no tie down holes. Another improvement over the old version is that water cannot collect on top since there are no bowl-like indentations on the top. The door is heavy construction, and can be mounted as Left or Right swing. I put the kennel on the passenger's side of the vehicle so that I can use the empty space behind the driver for carrying a jug of water, leashes, and other stuff. The advertised length is 40", but be aware that the usable length or "inside" length is 33". This is adequate if your dog is 33" or less from the top of the tail to the end of his front nails, while lying in the "sphinx" position. ONE CON: There are no drainage holes in the bottom half. I plan to drill my own (well, get the hubby to do it). A suggestion for the manufacturer: Make a Truck Version of the kennel. It would be the same as this except for two changes: (1) Add drain holes, and (2) Make the top rear panel (opposite the door) from transparent acrylic, so the driver can see through it. This would be a safety feature, as the blind spot would be reduced.Karen

Absolutely love this crate and so does my dog. The only reason I’m giving 2 stars is because it came with deep scratches in the top and the side. Unacceptable when you pay for a new crate and it looks used when you receive it.DonnaN

My first impression was the quality of the plastic crate. Sturdy and attractive. And it was simple to put together. Everything lined up nicely. I purchased this for my rescue with separation anxiety. He struggled with the metal crate, fretting no matter how short the time in the crate. It was recommended by our trainer to purchase a plastic crate "from Tractor Supply." My furbaby was initially hesitant but has quickly acclimated to his new den. In a matter of 1 week, he walks right in – hesitatingly – but he does it. I am very pleased with this purchase.Hens Mom

So my dogs are rescues. The first one hated the metal wire crate. 3 years & another rescue added to our pack I decided to try crating again to save my home. I was a bit nervous because this was a huge investment – I purchased 2 cates & 2 crate beds. I assembled the crates in the bedroom where they would be placed. I allowed my dogs to watch me and inspect. I even stood inside the crate before assembling so they could see. I put in the cushy furry bed, got a treat, said kennel up and Bam! They climbed right in, I closed the door and gave them their treat. They absolutely LOVE their crates. When they get frightened from the thunder & lightning, they kennel up and are happier & safer. When we have people coming to visit, especially new to the pups, I kennel them up about 10 minutes before guests arrive. Once guests show up, I explain to them to ignore the dogs when I let them out. Just let them come up to you and sniff you. This has worked wonders for our 2nd rescue to feel safe. Our family can't image life without these crates. They are sturdy as well.aegisprncs

I bought to take my new cat to the vet. He was only 9 lbs at the time so I assumed it would be more than enough for him. Upon bringing him home it literally fell apart and he got loose outside and had to be chased down. I followed the little instructions there were, latched and tightened everything the was to tighten and it still fell apart. And even when the 2 halves stay together the door never stays in place, complete waste of money!Stepcutie

i bought this kennela month ago and absoloutley love it oure lab fits comfortably in it and has room to grow theres no better bang for your buck than this here.budd

Just bought 2 15 pound crates from a retail store and wow… I used to use petmate carriers almost exclusively and now I'll probably not buy another. Super shoddy construction, cheap, flexible plastic, would offer no protection in a car accident and probably wouldn't hold a determined animal.Fras

The crate had obviously been used and returned. The metal was rusted in places and the plastic bottom tray was dirty. When I decided to return it, It was a challenge to get it back in the box. When I took it back to the store, I asked about a discount and received 15% off (the tax). I had previously bought one that was marked down by 50% because the box was damaged. I was quite disappointed in the whole experience. Apparently the merchandise was supposed to be checked if the box was damaged and that wasn’t done in this case.Janice

I've owned dogs for the last 40 years. I've used MidWest wire crates for my last 4 dogs. This iCrate didn't disappoint. It's sturdy and and easy to put up and take down. I use them when I travel with my dogs too. My dogs only use their crates for sleeping in at night or napping in during the day. During the day, their crate doors are left open. I close the dogs in at night. I don't have an issue with my dogs trying to escape from their crates, so I can't speak to whether or not this would be sturdy enough for a dog that's determined to get out of their crate. These crates are more than sturdy enough for my miniature Schnauzer, Havanese, and Wirehaired Pointing Griffon. All three of my dogs love their MidWest iCrates, as did my previous dog! They go in them voluntarily and when told to "crate up". My only concern with the current crate I ordered is that that one of the latches isn't lined up quite right so it's a bit tight when closing the crate door. I bent it slightly and it works much better. I haven't had that issue with any of the previous MidWest crates I've used. I'm a MidWest crate fan.Eddie09

We bought this in April 2022 for our Rhodesian Ridgeback mix puppy. He was weeks old when we rescued him. He was a Parvo pup and barely survived, so rest and his own quiet space was highly recommended for recovery. We first used the divider which was great. However, as he grew, so did his strength. It definitely is not strong enough for large dogs. Even for short amounts of time. At the moment he is 6 months and 60 pounds. Thankfully he did not get out nor hurt himself! I wish I could share photos of how bent up this crate is and the cracked floor liner. IWifeMomLove

I bought 1 for my English Bulldog and this is a very nice sturdy beautiful cage! I am going to buy another 1 for my 2 little dogs! Beautiful in a livingroom! Well worth the $$$Amy

Well, we bought the beige style of this one and it was great. Cats love it. Decided to get the white one.. Terrible craftmanship. The top part leans and will not get any tighter..Posts are not as thick as the beige one. The beige came with a hanging mouse and rope, the white one does not. I honestly don't even think they are the same manufacture..Youngmawmaw

I've had the crate cage for maybe 3 weeks and my one year old heeler has broken out. on one of the sides he pulled it loose from the frame and bent it inwards. Now I don't know what to do.Deborah

So far so good. It is definitely a large piece of furniture. The white is pretty and the size is great for our 28 lb. puppy. He has plenty of room to rest, stretch out and chew his toys while we are away. We've had it for a month and it's worked nice.Jennifer

Loved it! Putting it together was easier than expected as its only 7 pieces of wood to dowel/screw and two backing plates. The backing plates are screwed in (not nailed) and are thick wood, not cheap cardboard. The hardware is already mounted. Yes this is a bit pricey, but very VERY well made.Gary

Absolutely loved this crate. I have an Australian Shepherd and is just great for him. Was looking for sometime confortable and at the same time for a nice looking peace for our family room. This was a great addition and yet served the purpose. Very happy.Margarita

This kennel is a must have especially if you have an energetic puppy like I do. We use it when she gets overstimulated from playing. It’s a nice safe retreat for her. We also use it when she’s a little too enthusiastic with my senior dachshund. It gives him a little break. She loves going into her kennel for a rest.dina.h

The perfect size for our needs. Sets up easily and constructed well. We could not find the same brand of cushion to fit, but another brand fit perfectly. Would fold down to transport easily.3pines

We have a powerfully built 40 pound mutt who can muscle her way out of her old crate by popping the single latched door open. We had to add an extra clip to the door to keep her in the crate, which is a pain getting the clip on and off to let her in and out. She can’t gorse the door on this crate open due to the double latches AND the extra “hook” on the tip that holds the latches in place. My little bulldozer can’t open this crate by force and go counter surfing, much to her dismay.TKettle

Very proud and glad I bought this. I separate my puppy “Ivy” from my adult mastiff “Bane” during sleep hours. They sleep in the garage at night, so it provides security that my puppy won’t wander through the night and cause mischief. Also, Ivy's ear have been cropped recently, so the portable kennel by Retriever provides a separation between my Adult and my puppy so the ears can heal with no interference . Great product. Quality metal. Big enough. Comes with a carry bag. And a roof cover!!!DRTYJOE

This pen is functional but built with very weak components. If you don't mind setting it up with care and you are simply trying to contain an otherwise agreeable dog, then it might be useful for you. If you are needing to contain a larger dog that may disagree with his or her containment, then let me be clear. This pen is not up for the task. Also, if containing or isolating your dog is of a crucial importance then the consequences of this pen failing can far exceed the cost and value of the pen. My 50lb German Shepherd Mix destroyed this thing even while his leg was shattered from a gunshot and finished it off the day after the unfortunately necessary amputation of that leg. I was able to return it thankfully, but there are other pens elsewhere that are solid for generally $100 more. I found another pen that was a little smaller and even though it is not meant to be portable it has been easier to relocate by removing and replacing two clips between each panel using an impact gun than trying to move this portable Kennel without breaking it even though no tools are required. My dog made a mess of the thin wire and bent the gate latch plus the latch that connects to two end panels together. He completely would shove the retriever kennel around making a major mess of his food, water, and bedding before escaping. Worse than the pen not being worth what it cost was the severe challenge it caused me having to find other ways to contain and isolate my dog until I could find another solution. By contrast: My better pen has zero damage after weeks of additional use during the same dog's recovery. He quickly realized it was indestructible and settled into contentment. Now I use it during the cold weather to bring in all three of my dogs. That's relevant to my review because the bottom line is this retriever kennel is built to look the part but not live it, and even if you can skate by for your intended use, the poor quality of the pen may still cause you to miss out on a lot of value like it did me. I am so glad I returned it and found one that will last and be useful long-term. I'm not going to name a different product in my review but the other pen has 8 panels, thicker wire, powder coated black finish, clearly solid clamps between the panels and a gate latch that is welded not bolted on. The clamps use half inch nuts not wing nuts. I found mine at a local hardware store not a major chain. So at least you know legitimate pens of this size exist and don't have to settle for less if you keep looking.The other James R

The kennel is easily portable, comes with everything you need. Folds like an accordion, in that the panels only bend in one arch each (so if you are looking down on the joint from up top, one joint will open clockwise, while the next will open counterclockwise). That actually is probably its largest down fall is that the joints are a fixed arc. The kennel is well built and the top seems to go on without issue. We are using this as a temporary location for a 45lb dog that had surgery and needs a bit more space than her traditional location. Because the unit can be connected to a second kennel to provide more space, we have purchased a second unit for that purpose for a later date. Both units made the same way, all pieces, no issues. The push button to unlock the joint is a bit tough/tight but not too much of an issue. Overall, well recommended.George from SC Upstate

This kennel is a must have especially if you have an energetic puppy like I do. We use it when she gets overstimulated from playing. It’s a nice safe retreat for her. We also use it when she’s a little too enthusiastic with my senior dachshund. It gives him a little break. She loves going into her kennel for a rest.dina.h

The perfect size for our needs. Sets up easily and constructed well. We could not find the same brand of cushion to fit, but another brand fit perfectly. Would fold down to transport easily.3pines

We have a powerfully built 40 pound mutt who can muscle her way out of her old crate by popping the single latched door open. We had to add an extra clip to the door to keep her in the crate, which is a pain getting the clip on and off to let her in and out. She can’t gorse the door on this crate open due to the double latches AND the extra “hook” on the tip that holds the latches in place. My little bulldozer can’t open this crate by force and go counter surfing, much to her dismay.TKettle

The product is sturdy but the screen door is not strong enough to stop a dog from scratching a hole in it. The zippers are weaker and not large enough. The frame is strong and easy to put together. I would add a divider to support a puppy through his stages of life and maybe a flap that covers the the bottom half of the door screen as an option if your pup is a scratcher. Great for portability and quick and easy to setup. All in all I like the product but would like to see a few upgrades.John

We looked thru many foldable traveling dog crates. So far, very happy with it. Several things I specifically looked for. Good quality zipper that clipped at the top when zipped. Mesh sides above clawing access (besides the front access). Ease of setting up & light weight. PetNation had it all. We have two 10# Havanese. Plenty of room to add blankets. Water & food bowls. Yes. I would recommend this to friends.suz anne

I am basing this review on inspection of the Crate, I have not actually used it yet. I bought it for a future trip. The crate appears to be well made. It was easy to set up and to take back down. This will be great for a crate trained dog. I would definitely not purchase or use this for a dog that is not crate trained. They would definitely be able to escape and ruin this with ease. I have an 81lb dog that is able to lay down in this crate comfortably.Melanie

flying my 2 kitties cargo was an ordeal that i absolutely DO NOT EVER want to go through again.(im sure it wasnt even that bad for them, but it was terrible for me!) ultimately though, it had to be done. ive never shipped/flown a pet before so this all began with a search for a crate. petmate skykennel was the obvious choice. even though they're cats, my boys are big fellas. i went with the medium size so they'd have extra room. the crates were exactly what i needed. only thing i will say is, i did order an extra set of all-metal bolts/fasteners (from amazon); the ones that come with the crates are ok, but the overruling word on pet cargo travel seems to be all-metal is required. maybe its just required for international flights? either way i ordered a set. glad i bought ONLY that from amazon, though!i was about to buy the crates from there too, then i thought hmmm maybe someplace else had them at a better price…and yep… "someplace else" sure did! A LOT BETTER!!ckmw

I did a lot of research before we decided to by the extra large Petmate dog crate. We currently have the "Giant" dog crate in a bedroom for our mixed malamute–but we have to disassemble it to take it out of the room. We need the dog crate for when we take our dog camping. The last time we took him camping, on the last day, we left him in our cabin for a few hours. When we came back, he had tore the curtain and blinds apart on two different windows. We spent hours trying to get new blinds and I had to sew the curtains. So, this crate in mandatory if our dog is going camping again! We currently have a fifth wheel trailer that we camp in. Also, the metal dog crates–our dog can get right out of them using his body!Diane

Although the carrier was more expensive with Hayneedle, I ordered 2 because they prominently advertised that it was the color Bleached Linen and everyone else was showing a two-tone tan and black. I have 2 in Linen already and wanted 2 more to match. The ones I received were tan and black. The carrier quality is fine and up to the standard of my 2 older ones, but these are not as advertised. To most people, it probably wouldn't matter, but I was disappointed.Laurie

This crate is not safe for a puppy. Our 9 week old pup tried biting on the wire door of the crate and got her teeth caught and could not get off without our help. She was frightened. I removed the door so she can go in and out at will. Maybe it will work when she is bigger. Caution!Laurie

Great kennel. Even better shipping, came to my house in 2 days after ordering. I wouldn't go off of the weight recommendation when purchasing this kennel for your dog- the XL says for dogs 50-70 lbs and my golden is 60 lbs however my golden although being within the weight limit was a tad bit too long for this size. I did take it back to my local Petco to exchange for a slightly larger size (size 40 inches in length) and the store's customer service was phenomenal in helping me with my exchange. Size your dog accordingly with a measuring tape when purchasing the proper kennel size- your dog should be able to sit inside, turn around, and lay down comfortably.Tanya Q

Purchased this under the Doskocil name for a 1 year old Husky rescue. He had no problem bending the bars and/or braking the "welds". Properly done welds cannot be broken, so I assume that they are only brazed / tacked together. DO NOT purchase this product if you have a breed (ie Husky / Malamute) that are prone to attempt escape. I have already had to repair and replace several household items. Build your own or spend the money and purchase a quality product elsewhere.RKT65

This is a great small kennel. I put a pillow on the bottom, and my 2 small chihuahuas fit comfortably. It breaks down super easy, and is about 3 inches thick when traveling. I don't remember how much I paid, but if mine broke today I would buy another. I think this is one of my better investments. My favorite feature is that there are two doors. There is a door on the side and a door on the front for easy access.jenn.w

We use this crate to keep our puppy from wandering around the house at night, since we are still potty training her. It is very convenient and clean. The two doors make it much easier to access the puppy regardless of where she is in the crate.WILLIAM

Got this for a large dog to recover from surgery. Not as strong as a large welded wire portable kennel. It does allow more room to stretch out than the large portable kennel. If your animal needs room to move around, this may be a good kennel. Not super sturdy. Walls will moved out since they are connected with brackets (two each panel). May not be escape proof. No attached floor. Fitted tarp cover is nice. There are no cheap kennels out there. This one was priced okay and shipped free to my door. It was packaged well.CheapTX Guy

This is an extremely sturdy kennel and of high quality. Very easy to assemble. I assembled it myself and completely finished it took me about an hour and a half. The only downside is this kennel doesn't come with anchors that go in the ground to give it that extra firm support, however it doesn't appear to need it, as the kennel is extremely sturdy without them. Highly recommend!Tyler

On the surface this is a great product – good size, light, folds down to nothing. But it failed the dog test. I put my 5 yr old Cocker Spaniel in it, inside my RV, to test it out. He was fine while I was in the RV. But then I stepped out momentarily. As I was closing the door I saw that he was rolling the kennel. There's nothing to keep it upright. I let him go – he was till contained and the unit is about the same on each side, so I figure rolling wouldn't be an issue. But a minute later when I came back (seriously, on the order of one minute or less), he was out of the cage, on the table, eating my breakfast. I had zipped both zippers to the bottom of the screen. But after rotating it the zippers were at eye level, and he scratched at them to separate them, got an opening, and worked the hole open enough (I'm guessing) to get his nose in and open the zipper enough to escape. This dog is not known as an escape artist either. I am going to have to zip-tie the zippers together to keep him contained. Not my ideal solution.DrNuke

So, from the moment this crate popped open and smacked me in the face i knew this was going to be a rocky ride. My puppy rolled around my living room in this thing like a hamster in a hamster wheel. For HOURS! IT IS NOT STURDY!! Any time she moved it would fall and collapse. On top of it being bad for containment, it holds pet odors like no ones business. My house smelled horrible the whole week i attempted to use this thing. My dog ripped it as well. Not suitable for crate training or puppies at all period. If your dog is potty trained, very mild tempered and crate trained it just might work for you But it not, save your money.Mauri

I was looking at these on Amazon and luckily I seen this one at the store tonight because it saved me some money. It’s perfect for our puppy and works great in the RV because it’s so easy to store when not in use. Now if you are buying to use on a large breed puppy, like a boxer and turn your back for a millisecond and expect it to still be sitting there as you left it, maybe you shouldn’t get a dog. Because this is meant for little dog puppy breeds like chihuahua or older dogs who have reached maturity and enjoy good naps. Even if you have a older dog but it’s skiddish about things I wouldn’t recommend because the moment it lays down and the side moves it’ll probably freak and then it’s over. But for puppy that weighs a pound it’s perfect. Her little bed fits in there and she can see everything that’s going on. I would never leave the room with her awake in it just in case. But she knows it’s nap time when she gets in it so I don’t have any problems getting things done around the house and don’t have to worry about her getting underfoot or into mischief. If I get a month out of it which I’m sure I will but I’ll have gotten my money’s worth out of it. For the price you can’t expect it to last 10yrs like your hard plastic or metal one did but I’ll be beyond ecstatic if it does last that long. Anything changes I’ll update this review. Again don’t recommend for hyperactive breeds or large breed puppies but tiny ones and mature dogs yes highly recommend! Just takes common sense.Whoopiwho

You would never guess something as big as this is could come as small as it does! Stand back when you open it up! A 25-30 pound dog will fit with plenty of room in this house.SAEd

This is not really a kennel, more like a pop up shelter as it will not really confine a dog or cat that wants to get out of it. I use it to create a den-like atmosphere for my dog, a go to place when we are travelling. Put a blanket over it and it gets dark and comfy and a more quiet place for pup to rest in.karlroberteriksson78

Everything about buying, assembling, and using our second Revol crate (we purchased our first, a Medium, last spring), was excellent, and our pup loves her new bigger digs. The company’s communication about the status of our pre-order was superb—well-timed, clear, and accurate. We weren’t expecting two boxes (I probably missed the detail in one of the emails), so were surprised when the second box arrived a few days after the first and only then noticed Box 1 on the first box. It would have been better if the box labeling had said Box 1 of 2 and Box 2 of 2, but that’s a quibble. The packaging did its job well and the instructions were both charming and easy to follow. The ONLY product design flaw in our opinion involves the last step of assembly: Handling and attaching the teeny-tiny screws in the four bottom corners. The allen wrench is ridiculously small (even for a woman’s hands), and getting the screws into their holes is incredibly difficult, from just getting them into the holes to fully tightening them. The placement of the screws, especially such small screws on an otherwise very large object, is i credibly awkward. Upshot: The holes are hard to reach because of the close proximity of the crate sides. It’s also hard to imagine that such tiny screws accomplish much of anything on such a large object. But that is our only negative criticism/observation. The product is overall superb—wildly expensive, yes, but very attractive and sturdy and safe. Kudos and thanks to the entire Diggs Revol team!!!Renee D.

I love the design and the customer service of the diggs crate. I had the medium slate gray size crate which is amazing in looks and design. I love how easy the front door opens. The medium size garage door I found to be not usable the way it folds in and up. I love the color and the design over all. I then ordered the large white crate when they came out with it. Again I loved the color and the look of it. I didn't like that they charged my card before I got the crate, nor did I like the price of the crate but they are the best crates on the market that I have seen so far. The large crate that I got the other day did have a large dent in the base which only effects the looks. For the price it would have been great to get the crate in mint shape. Their customer service is amazing so I might put in a call to them. The directions to put the large crate together could have been a little clearer about the ceiling or top of the crate. If you put it on the wrong way the garage door can't be put and I had to take it off and turn it around. This could be a lot clearer in the directions. Once I got it together I found the design on the large crate to be better for the garage door and I should be able to use it now but not as sturdy on the 4 pillars. I'm not crazy about the plastic inserts they look to fragile like they can easily break. I also found them hard to get in. Maybe I'm just spoiled since the medium crate was designed better and was put together when it was delivered. If either the medium crate or the large crate are in your budget they really are beautiful crates and I'm really glad I purchased them. I also bought the snooze beds and again the price is high but they are quality made. I'm still waiting for my large size snooze bed but I'd imagine I will get it soon.donna G.

I have a 30lb puppy who is expected to be closer to 50lbs when she’s an adult. I bought the intermediate crate. This crate is designed beautifully. It gets a lot of complements when people visit. It feels like a sturdy crate and the quality seems generally good save for a few joints on the front and back which got stuck for me. However, assembling it was a little difficult (they do recommend you have 2 people)—even inserting and removing the puppy divider is not easy. Taking it anywhere is impossible. It’s too long to fit in a standard sedan’s trunk. Also lifting it into the car (whether trunk or backseat) requires 2 people as well. Not convenient unless you live with other people. I think I’m going to wind up having to buy a wire crate anyways in order to travel with her. Also fwiw, this crate is the only crate she’s known (in our house) but she often prefers our friend’s dog’s wire crate haha. We wonder if part of it is the revol crate is tall whereas the large wire crate feels cozier so it’s something to consider. If you’re just looking for an aesthetic crate for your home, this is a nice choice. But if you’re looking for utility and multi-use for travel (and are interested in the intermediate or large size) just know you will need to buy a second travel crate or own an SUV.Elizabeth C.