Dog Supplies Review: Pet Mate Kennel
Pet Mate promise:
- Great for crate training, air or car use
- Easy to assemble
- Available in 4 sizes (up to Giant)
- Secure spring latch
- Fast nut fasteners
- Side, front and back air vents
- Shell made of heavy-duty plastic that’s easy to clean
- Quick and easy assembly
- Storage compartment
- Seatbelt slot for car safety
Sniffing Snout Review:
If you are contemplating about buying one of these kennels, I would HIGHLY recommend checking your local Craigslist to see if anyone is selling used. These kennels are big (especially for large breed owners), bulky, space-hungry and usually pretty popular garage sale items. Plus they are expensive brand new!
I didn’t adequately plan ahead and was only able to find an XL size on Craigslist. I urgently needed a travel case for Mr.Brown, so I stopped by my local Petsmart and walked out with the Pet Make Kennel in Large. These are extremely easy to assemble, if not a bit tedious- there are holes punched around the perimeter of the kennel, and you use the supplied ‘fast-nut’ fastners to hold the top and bottom together. The top and bottom are easily stacked into each other when not in use.
Mr.Brown has never lived in a cage before, usually preferring to lie down next to his human friends, so I was wary about getting him adjusted to his mobile home before his cross-country flight. However, this didn’t end being much of a problem. I assembled the case but left the cage opening piece off. I put a treat inside the cage and Mr.Brown eagerly climbed in. I would suggest using positive reinforcement techniques to get your dog adjusted to the kennel; never push your dog in during an anxious or tense state, otherwise he/she will see the kennel as punishment.
I bought a few accessories for the cage to ease the stress of travel: 1) a cushioned mat and 2) a water dispenser. Unfortunately, the water dispenser was not approved for airline travel so its somewhere in the abyss of my parents’ garage. I would recommend the mat, I’ve climbed into Mr.Brown’s kennel a few time and can attest that it’s very comfortable.