Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I had a very low expectation for this order, but I needed a crate that I could transport easier than my large metal crate. I remained ambivalent even after receiving the product thinking that if my dog really wanted to, she'd rip through the cloth cage in seconds. I have been crate/potty training my recently rescued adult dog that I've known for about a month. After assembling the soft crate, I put a few treats inside and had her go in to get the treats. I closed the front mesh door zipper after a few times of treating/praising, and I gently corrected her when I saw the 50 lbs dog trying to push through the mesh with her snout. When she quit, I opened the zipper and praised her, and repeated this a few times. The order was received just a day before our planned trip, so I didn't have much time to reinforce her to get used to the new crate. I highly recommend that you measure the inside dimension of your car to make sure that you can fit the crate in it before ordering. Most large soft crates sold were too tall to fit in my SUV's cargo area, so I chose this product at 25" height although my dog's sitting posture height is at 30" to the top of the head, 24" to the withers and 35" long to her hip. She is still able to enter, turnaround, and lounge easily. I did not trust the crate for 4 hours long road trip so I had the dog buckled in next to me for the drive while my husband drove, but the real test came during the overnight stay at my husband's parents' house. I used the crate just as the metal crate back at home for her to sleep in at night, but she had to stay in a separate room (due to a family member's allergy) away from where we slept. To my surprise, she stayed in the crate without any incident and properly went to potty outside as soon as she was released in the morning. I was so proud of her for accepting the routine, fell in love with the crate then, and I was very happy that I took the chance at the low priced lightweight crate. I believe it is important that your dog is somewhat crate trained before attempting a soft crate, and I wouldn't yet trust the crate for daytime confinement when she's excited. I still use the larger metal crate in our bedroom but left this soft crate out in another room where I tend to stay, and she prefers to her nap in it as seen on the photo. I use a lightly padded fleece mat I previously found at Walmart for less than twenty dollars that happened to fit well, which adds to comfort and cleanup. I will have no concern the next time we travel or stay over at a hotel/friend's place, since she has accepted the crate as her den and part of her daily routine. At only fifty dollars, this was such a bargain!