Best Dog Kennels in 2022

Last update: December 14, 2022

Are dogs OK left alone overnight?

Dogs are social animals and need companionship, so it's not ideal to leave them alone overnight. If you must, make sure they have a safe place to stay, like a crate or dog-proof room, and provide them with food, water, toys and a comfortable bed.

Can I crate my dog for 12 hours?

Yes, you can crate your dog for 12 hours as long as they are comfortable and have access to food, water, and a potty area. Many dog owners crate their dogs while they are at work or running errands so their dog is not left home alone.

Can I leave my dog home alone for 3 days?

Do dogs like being in kennels?

Dogs generally don't like being in kennels because they're used to having a lot of freedom. However, some dogs may be okay with it if they're properly introduced to the kennel and given plenty of attention and exercise while they're in there.


North States MyPet Indoor/Outdoor Petyard: Pet enclosure with lockable pet door. Freestanding (26" tall) Review:


This zoo is my favorite! I have it put up on my porch like a small fence because I live in a ground-floor condo. I can now hang out on the patio with my 9-pound Yorkie without worrying that she's on a leash! One of the best investments I've ever made, by far. This petyard is strong and long-lasting. For several months now, I have had it on my porch in the rain, sun, and wind, and I have no complaints. This product is well worth the money and holds up well.I still adore this gate more than a year later! It's been on my porch for more than a year and is still in fantastic condition. Although I did store it in the garage for two months through the bitter Wisconsin winter, I did it more for shoveling convenience than because I doubted the product would hold up.Update: This pet yard is still operational after two and a half years! The first winter I took it away, but last year and this winter I choose to leave it out, and it is still in incredible condition. It has endured the 2019 arctic vortex and the exorbitant snowfall Wisconsin has experienced over the past two years, and this thing is still standing strong like a champ! I'm in awe of how successfully this pet yard has weathered Wisconsin's weather for the past two and a half years. It doesn't appear to be going out any time soon. Buying this won't let you down.



Aspen Pet Traditional Kennel Review:


I have another one that I bought from Woot four or five years ago that is the same size (28 inch unit), from a different manufacturer, costs less, but is of a much higher caliber and is noticeably more durable.For extended periods of time out of the house for their protection (this is for my new friend, a Toy Fox Terrier/Terror), park the adorable little one in the kennel when you go shopping, to the dentist, working in the yard, or anywhere else. I would never use this as a carry kennel for an aircraft or any other outdoor excursion because it is simply not robust enough. Compared to the one I currently have, it is made of very flimsy plastic. This kennel seemed to be the most equivalent, but sadly not in the gauge of plastic used. I had searched online and in PetSmart/PetCo for the same kennel that I had purchased from Woot, but was unable to find it there.If you decide to buy this product, keep in mind that while it is simple to put together and a decent value for the money, it is not strong enough to be used in an aircraft cargo hold. Given the flimsiness of the plastic housing, I would be terrified to use it in a cargo hold.Would I buy this item again? Definitely, but only if I knew it was just going to be used for kenneling pets inside the home and not for any form of travel.



North States MyPet Indoor/Outdoor Petyard: Pet enclosure with lockable pet door. Freestanding (26" tall) Review:


This zoo is my favorite! I have it put up on my porch like a small fence because I live in a ground-floor condo. I can now hang out on the patio with my 9-pound Yorkie without worrying that she's on a leash! One of the best investments I've ever made, by far. This petyard is strong and long-lasting. For several months now, I have had it on my porch in the rain, sun, and wind, and I have no complaints. This product is well worth the money and holds up well.I still adore this gate more than a year later! It's been on my porch for more than a year and is still in fantastic condition. Although I did store it in the garage for two months through the bitter Wisconsin winter, I did it more for shoveling convenience than because I doubted the product would hold up.Update: This pet yard is still operational after two and a half years! The first winter I took it away, but last year and this winter I choose to leave it out, and it is still in incredible condition. It has endured the 2019 arctic vortex and the exorbitant snowfall Wisconsin has experienced over the past two years, and this thing is still standing strong like a champ! I'm in awe of how successfully this pet yard has weathered Wisconsin's weather for the past two and a half years. It doesn't appear to be going out any time soon. Buying this won't let you down.



Zampa Portable Foldable Pet playpen Exercise Pen Kennel + Carrying Case for Larges Dogs Small Puppies/Cats | Indoor/Outdoor Use | Water Resistant Review:


For my sister's new puppy, I purchased a Zampa so that when they come to visit, my sister won't have to spend the entire day chasing an 8-week-old puppy about in a "cat" house that is most definitely not puppy-proof. I chose to take a chance because the Zampa was reasonably priced and had excellent reviews. I am overjoyed to report that I am very satisfied with my purchase! Alek, a white Labrador who weighs 10.8 lbs and is rather large for his age, will have plenty of space to play in the Zampa without taking up too much space in the den. Puppy pads were used to line the bottom of the Zampa, but Alek had an accident and managed to urinate on the inch-wide area that wasn't covered by a puppy pad. As a precaution, my sister promptly cleaned the floor of the Zampa. She remarked that cleaning the Zampa was incredibly simple and that there was no residual moisture or smell. Alek nibbled and gnawed on most of the cage when he was left to his own devices, but there have been no rips or tears, unlike an energetic walker on The Walking Dead. In addition, he appeared cute while attempting to bite vertical, screened surfaces. I'm overjoyed about this buy!(I'm including photographs to demonstrate the Zampa's size, but partly because Alek is so cute.)



Zampa Portable Foldable Pet playpen Exercise Pen Kennel + Carrying Case for Larges Dogs Small Puppies/Cats | Indoor/Outdoor Use | Water Resistant Review:


For my sister's new puppy, I purchased a Zampa so that when they come to visit, my sister won't have to spend the entire day chasing an 8-week-old puppy about in a "cat" house that is most definitely not puppy-proof. I chose to take a chance because the Zampa was reasonably priced and had excellent reviews. I am overjoyed to report that I am very satisfied with my purchase! Alek, a white Labrador who weighs 10.8 lbs and is rather large for his age, will have plenty of space to play in the Zampa without taking up too much space in the den. Puppy pads were used to line the bottom of the Zampa, but Alek had an accident and managed to urinate on the inch-wide area that wasn't covered by a puppy pad. As a precaution, my sister promptly cleaned the floor of the Zampa. She remarked that cleaning the Zampa was incredibly simple and that there was no residual moisture or smell. Alek nibbled and gnawed on most of the cage when he was left to his own devices, but there have been no rips or tears, unlike an energetic walker on The Walking Dead. In addition, he appeared cute while attempting to bite vertical, screened surfaces. I'm overjoyed about this buy!(I'm including photographs to demonstrate the Zampa's size, but partly because Alek is so cute.)



Zampa Portable Foldable Pet playpen Exercise Pen Kennel + Carrying Case for Larges Dogs Small Puppies/Cats | Indoor/Outdoor Use | Water Resistant Review:


For my sister's new puppy, I purchased a Zampa so that when they come to visit, my sister won't have to spend the entire day chasing an 8-week-old puppy about in a "cat" house that is most definitely not puppy-proof. I chose to take a chance because the Zampa was reasonably priced and had excellent reviews. I am overjoyed to report that I am very satisfied with my purchase! Alek, a white Labrador who weighs 10.8 lbs and is rather large for his age, will have plenty of space to play in the Zampa without taking up too much space in the den. Puppy pads were used to line the bottom of the Zampa, but Alek had an accident and managed to urinate on the inch-wide area that wasn't covered by a puppy pad. As a precaution, my sister promptly cleaned the floor of the Zampa. She remarked that cleaning the Zampa was incredibly simple and that there was no residual moisture or smell. Alek nibbled and gnawed on most of the cage when he was left to his own devices, but there have been no rips or tears, unlike an energetic walker on The Walking Dead. In addition, he appeared cute while attempting to bite vertical, screened surfaces. I'm overjoyed about this buy!(I'm including photographs to demonstrate the Zampa's size, but partly because Alek is so cute.)



LUCKUP Heavy Duty Dog Cage Strong Metal Kennel and Crate for Large Dogs,Easy to Assemble Pet Playpen with Four Wheels … Review:


We bought this crate for our Houdini-like German Shepherd mix. We have used 4 plastic crates and 3 wire mesh crates in the past 7 years. In order to get through weak spots in other crates, he bites and pushes. Most recently, because he kept trying to push open the door, he physically bit or forced his way through the wires of his wire crate, which we had zip-tied tight. We determined that we required a minor improvement. The shipment was quick, to start. We placed the crate order on a Saturday or Sunday (I can't remember) and were a little anxious because it wasn't expected to arrive until Thursday, leaving us with two days during which our dog couldn't be crated. Imagine our astonishment when, in fact, the container showed up on Tuesday! It was wonderful and a great relief. The crate was spacious and simple to assemble. Our boy, who weighs about 80 pounds, could stand and move around without any difficulty. The reason for the 4 stars is because we did end up laying plywood down because we weren't sure whether our dog would be happy on the floor. We also gave him a dog bed. Since he does have a tendency to force his way out, we did add another lock to the door, but so far it has held up well, and with the three latches it came with as well as ours, it doesn't appear as like he has been able to create any give. One thing I believe will be beneficial is that even if he does gnaw on the bars, I just don't see him escaping because the horizontal and vertical bars are distinct, as opposed to a wire cage where one bar goes and the entire wall is compromised. I'm hoping this is the solution to every issue we've ever had before!



LUCKUP Heavy Duty Dog Cage Strong Metal Kennel and Crate for Large Dogs,Easy to Assemble Pet Playpen with Four Wheels … Review:


We bought this crate for our Houdini-like German Shepherd mix. We have used 4 plastic crates and 3 wire mesh crates in the past 7 years. In order to get through weak spots in other crates, he bites and pushes. Most recently, because he kept trying to push open the door, he physically bit or forced his way through the wires of his wire crate, which we had zip-tied tight. We determined that we required a minor improvement. The shipment was quick, to start. We placed the crate order on a Saturday or Sunday (I can't remember) and were a little anxious because it wasn't expected to arrive until Thursday, leaving us with two days during which our dog couldn't be crated. Imagine our astonishment when, in fact, the container showed up on Tuesday! It was wonderful and a great relief. The crate was spacious and simple to assemble. Our boy, who weighs about 80 pounds, could stand and move around without any difficulty. The reason for the 4 stars is because we did end up laying plywood down because we weren't sure whether our dog would be happy on the floor. We also gave him a dog bed. Since he does have a tendency to force his way out, we did add another lock to the door, but so far it has held up well, and with the three latches it came with as well as ours, it doesn't appear as like he has been able to create any give. One thing I believe will be beneficial is that even if he does gnaw on the bars, I just don't see him escaping because the horizontal and vertical bars are distinct, as opposed to a wire cage where one bar goes and the entire wall is compromised. I'm hoping this is the solution to every issue we've ever had before!



Petmate Compass Plastic Pets Kennel with Chrome Door Review:


I travel a lot with my two Belgian shepherds since I train dogs. I drive a Mitsubishi Outlander from 2014. The door latch on these plastic kennels was strong enough to prevent my houdini female from opening it and escaping, so I admit that I purchased two of them. They also fit neatly into the trunk of my SUV. For safety concerns, I have ALWAYS selected plastic cages over wire or leaving the dogs free in the car. Wire boxes weren't designed for transport; these were.I saw a post last week from a friend who works in animal rescue about how she was involved in a car accident while transporting three dogs of varied sizes in wire crates. All three dogs were on the loose after the accident, the crates had collapsed and caught fire, and one dog had spine damage from being thrown.After sharing that article on Facebook as a warning, a few days later I was involved in a car accident of my own while driving one of my dogs. Right next to his box, close to the back quarter panel, was where there was an impact. The collision was swift and forceful enough to completely turn the automobile around. The side airbags were deployed, and both of my back tires were turned outward. I left with terrible bruises everywhere around. In the end, my dog's hip dislocated. I firmly believe that the plastic kennel, which was tightly packed together in a small area, prevented him from suffering a considerably worse injury. He might have been tossed, and his bones might have been fractured.Please think again about how you transport your pets and consider investing in a high-quality travel kennel, not just for air travel.



Petmate Compass Plastic Pets Kennel with Chrome Door Review:


I travel a lot with my two Belgian shepherds since I train dogs. I drive a Mitsubishi Outlander from 2014. The door latch on these plastic kennels was strong enough to prevent my houdini female from opening it and escaping, so I admit that I purchased two of them. They also fit neatly into the trunk of my SUV. For safety concerns, I have ALWAYS selected plastic cages over wire or leaving the dogs free in the car. Wire boxes weren't designed for transport; these were.I saw a post last week from a friend who works in animal rescue about how she was involved in a car accident while transporting three dogs of varied sizes in wire crates. All three dogs were on the loose after the accident, the crates had collapsed and caught fire, and one dog had spine damage from being thrown.After sharing that article on Facebook as a warning, a few days later I was involved in a car accident of my own while driving one of my dogs. Right next to his box, close to the back quarter panel, was where there was an impact. The collision was swift and forceful enough to completely turn the automobile around. The side airbags were deployed, and both of my back tires were turned outward. I left with terrible bruises everywhere around. In the end, my dog's hip dislocated. I firmly believe that the plastic kennel, which was tightly packed together in a small area, prevented him from suffering a considerably worse injury. He might have been tossed, and his bones might have been fractured.Please think again about how you transport your pets and consider investing in a high-quality travel kennel, not just for air travel.


Do dogs remember kennels?

Dogs have an incredible memory and can remember a lot of things. It is believed that they can remember kennels if they have had a bad experience there. Dogs can also remember good experiences at kennels and will be excited to return.

Do dogs still sleep in kennels?

Dogs have been known to sleep in kennels since ancient times. The word “kennel” actually comes from the Latin word “canis,” which means “dog.” Today, however, many dog owners no longer use kennels as a regular part of their dog’s sleep routine. Some dog owners believe that kennels are inhumane, while others simply find them unnecessary. Still, there are some situations in which kennels can be a convenient and safe option for dogs. For example, if you’

How big should my dog kennel be?

The size of your dog's kennel should be based on the size of your dog. A good rule of thumb is to have a kennel that is big enough for your dog to stand up, turn around, and lie down comfortably. If you have a larger dog, you may want to consider a kennel that is even bigger so your dog has plenty of room to move around.

How long can a dog stay home alone?

Dogs are social animals and need companionship, so they shouldn't be left home alone for more than four hours at a time. Puppies and older dogs shouldn't be left alone for more than two hours. If you must leave your dog home alone, provide him with a safe space, like a crate or a doggy playpen, and make sure he has plenty of food, water, and toys.

How long should a dog be in a crate?

A dog should be in a crate for no more than four hours at a time. If the dog is crated for longer than four hours, the dog may become anxious and restless.

Is a dog kennel a good idea?