Crating a Puppy: Best Kennels for Home & Travel

Crating a puppy can feel like a big decision, especially when you're trying to do everything “right” from day one. But a kennel isn't about keeping your pet away from you, it's a safety tool that supports training, travel, and everyday routines. When you choose the right kennel and introduce it the right way, you're giving your puppy (or adult dog, or even a cat) a calm, secure space that helps them rest, settle, and stay protected at home, on the road, and during boarding or vet stays..

This guide is designed to help you feel confident about crating a puppy, selecting durable dog kennels that hold up over time, and finding the best dog kennel for your daily routine. We'll also cover when boarding kennels and dog boarding kennels matter most, how to tell if you need a heavy duty dog kennel, and why a secure cat kennel can be just as important for cats as it is for dogs.

Crating a puppy: When to start and why it matters

When it comes to crating a puppy, timing matters. Most puppies do best when the kennel is introduced right away, ideally within the first few days at home. Puppies are already wired to seek out cozy, den-like spaces to rest, and a kennel can become that familiar “safe spot” if the introduction is calm and positive.

Crating helps with structure, which is something puppies truly need. It supports house training because puppies are less likely to go potty where they sleep, and it also prevents unsafe chewing when you can't watch them closely. Beyond the practical reasons, crating can support emotional development. Puppies learn how to settle, self-soothe, and handle short periods alone without panic.

This isn't only a puppy tool. Adult pets can benefit too, especially if they're new to your home, adjusting after adoption, or prone to anxiety in busy environments. For many adult dogs, a kennel becomes the first place they can fully relax because it's consistent. The goal is the same either way: the kennel should feel like a trusted space, not a punishment.

Different types of kennels and their use cases

Home training

For everyday home use, the kennel needs to be comfortable, secure, and realistic for daily life. Home training kennels are usually used for naps, quiet time, house training, and managing busy household moments. The best home kennel choice depends on your pet's behavior and your routine. Some pets settle best in a more enclosed option that feels den-like, while others relax better when they can see what's going on around them.

At home, your kennel should be easy to clean, easy to open and close, and stable enough that it doesn't wobble when your pet moves. If you're crating a puppy, cleaning matters even more because accidents happen early on. A kennel that supports a simple routine is more likely to be used consistently, which is what makes crate training work long-term.

Travel and transport

Travel changes the requirements. When you're driving across town or taking a longer trip, your pet needs stability and protection during motion, noise, and unfamiliar surroundings. A travel kennel should feel solid, with secure closures that won't shift or pop open if the carrier bumps during loading or braking.

If you fly with a pet, you'll also want a kennel built for transport standards, with strong structure, reliable fasteners, and ventilation that keeps your pet comfortable. Even if you don't fly now, many pet parents prefer a travel-ready kennel because it's useful for vet visits, emergency situations, and everyday transport.

Boarding and vet stays

Boarding and vet stays are where many pet parents truly see the value of the right kennel. Dog boarding kennels are meant to help your pet cope with an unfamiliar environment. New smells, new sounds, and other animals can increase stress, even for pets that are normally calm at home.

For these situations, you'll want a kennel that offers dependable security and is easy to sanitize. A kennel that your pet already recognizes can also reduce stress during a boarding stay. Familiarity matters more than most people realize, especially for pets that are sensitive to change.

What makes a durable dog kennel (materials, ventilation, security)

Not all kennels are built to last, and durability isn't only about “not breaking.” Durable dog kennels protect your pet when they're tired, nervous, excited, or overstimulated. They keep doors secure, prevent sharp edges from wear, and stay stable through repeated use.

Materials play a major role. Some kennels are better suited to home routines, while others are built for travel and transport. A kennel that's strong for one use case might not be ideal for another. That's why it helps to decide how you'll use it most often.

Ventilation is another key piece. Good airflow supports comfort and helps pets settle, especially in warmer climates or during longer stays. A kennel should allow your pet to breathe easily without making them feel overly exposed. For nervous pets, a balance of ventilation and a “protected” feel can make a big difference.

Security is where quality shows quickly. Doors should close smoothly, latches should hold firmly, and the kennel should stay aligned even after repeated opening and closing. A kennel might look fine at first glance, but if the door hardware is weak, it can become a stress point for both you and your pet.

Here's the only place I'm using bullet points—just to make this quick to scan. When shopping for durable dog kennels, prioritize:

• Strong, dependable materials that match your use (home vs travel vs boarding)
• Solid ventilation design for comfort
• Secure door and latch system that stays closed reliably

Heavy-duty vs standard kennels: Which pets need extra protection

A heavy duty dog kennel is not automatically the best choice for every pet. In many cases, a standard kennel is perfect, especially for pets who are already crate trained, calm at home, and not prone to chewing or escape attempts.

Heavy-duty options become important when strength, anxiety, or behavior creates risk. Some dogs panic in unfamiliar environments, especially during travel or boarding. Others are powerful chewers, or they paw at doors aggressively when they're overstimulated. In those cases, a standard kennel can fail quickly, and that's not just inconvenient, it can also be unsafe.

If your dog has ever tried to push out of a kennel, bend a door, break a latch, or injure themselves trying to escape, that's a strong sign to consider a heavy duty dog kennel. The goal isn't to “contain harder.” The goal is to prevent accidents and help your dog feel secure because the kennel stays stable and predictable.

Choosing the best dog kennel by size, breed, and lifestyle

The best dog kennel is the one that fits your pet correctly and matches your real-life routine. Proper sizing helps your pet feel comfortable and secure. A kennel that's too small is stressful and can discourage crate training. A kennel that's too large can work against house training, especially when you're crating a puppy, because the puppy may be more likely to potty in one corner and rest in another.

A good fit usually means your dog can stand up, turn around, and lie down comfortably. From there, lifestyle matters. If you're a pet parent who travels often, you'll care more about portability and transport-ready structure. If your pet is primarily kenneled for naps and home routine, comfort and daily convenience may matter more.

Breed can influence sizing, but it's not the only factor. Dogs with broad chests, long bodies, or tall frames may need different proportions even if they have similar weights. Age also matters. Puppies grow quickly, and many pet parents plan ahead to avoid buying multiple kennels. If you're sizing up for adult growth, it helps to maintain crate training structure by keeping the interior appropriately “cozy” during the early stages.

Cat kennels: When and why cats also need secure containment

Cats don't always get the same kennel attention as dogs, but a cat kennel can be one of the most useful tools a cat owner has. Cats are highly sensitive to environmental changes. Travel, vet visits, new people in the home, moving, or introducing another pet can quickly spike stress.

A secure cat kennel supports safe transport and helps prevent escapes during high-stress moments. It can also be helpful during short-term separation, such as when service workers are coming in and out of your home, or when you need to keep a cat calm and contained during recovery after a vet procedure.

The best approach is to treat a cat kennel as a safety tool, not a last-minute scramble item. When cats are already familiar with a kennel, vet visits and travel feel less overwhelming.

Petmate kennel recommendations by scenario

Once you know when and where you'll use a kennel most, the “right choice” gets a lot clearer. Some kennels are best for day-to-day home routines (especially when you're crating a puppy). Others are built for transport stress, tighter spaces, or the added security you'll want for travel, boarding, or vet stays.

How to pick the right scenario (and avoid buying the “almost right” kennel)

If your main goal is home training, a wire crate is often the easiest for building a routine because it's straightforward: you can place it in your living space, keep airflow high, and maintain consistency day to day. That's why the Petmate 2 Door Wire Puppy Crate is a strong fit for early crate training and “busy household” structure.

If you want a kennel that feels more like a cozy, den-style space (and you plan to use it for both training and occasional travel), the Petmate All Purpose Vari Kennel is built specifically around that use, Petmate positions it for housebreaking, training, and travel, with features like 360-degree ventilation and a squeeze-latch door.

If your use case includes boarding kennels / dog boarding kennels or extended vet stays, prioritize the features that reduce risk: secure closure, stable structure, and a design your pet already recognizes. In practice, the best “boarding” kennel is often the one your pet has practiced with at home first, because familiarity can lower stress when everything else feels new.

When to go heavier-duty (and when you don't need to)

If you're shopping for a heavy duty dog kennel, that usually means one of two things: you need stronger travel protection, or you're trying to prevent escapes and panic behaviors in high-stress moments. For air travel in particular, the Petmate Sky Kennel is positioned as the “Gold Standard” for travel and notes compliance with 2025 IATA Live Animals Regulation standards (still always confirm airline-specific requirements before flying).

For lighter transport needs (car rides, vet visits, quick trips), a hard-sided carrier like the Aspen Pet Pet Porter can be a practical choice, especially if you want something easy to carry and store.

Cat-specific picks (because cats need secure containment too)

If your cat gets stressed at the vet or tries to back out of carriers, top-loading can be a game-changer. Petmate's E-Z Load Top Load Cat Kennel is built around easier access and handling, which can make the whole experience calmer for both you and your cat. And if your cat simply does better with a different carrier feel, the Get-A-Round E-Z Load Kennel gives you another option that still keeps ventilation and security front and center.

Final tips for successful crate training and long-term use

If you want puppy crate training (and adult crate training) to actually stick, focus on three things: fit, routine, and association. A dog crate only works long-term when your pet sees it as a predictable “safe spot,” not something that only appears when you leave.

1) Start with the right fit (this is what most people mean by “best dog kennel”)

The best dog kennel is the one that fits your dog right now and still supports your routine as they grow. Too small = discomfort. Too big = harder house training (especially with puppies). The sweet spot is: your dog can stand up, turn around, and lie down comfortably without a ton of extra empty space.

2) Pick the crate type that matches your lifestyle (wire vs. plastic vs. soft-sided)

A lot of pet parents get stuck here, so use this as your “buying decision” shortcut:

If your dog is larger and you're specifically searching for a dog kennel for large dogs, Petmate's own kennel collection calls out that larger dogs can do well with the Petmate Vari Kennel style for comfort, robust construction, and ventilation.

3) Use a simple size guide (answering “what size kennel does my dog need?”)

Here's a practical sizing chart you can include at the bottom of the post (it's exactly the type of chart people stop to read):

Measuring tip: measure your dog from nose to base of tail, then add a few inches for comfort; height should allow standing without ducking. If you're measuring the kennel itself for replacement parts/sizing confirmation, Petmate notes measuring length from the front door to the very back.

4) Make the crate feel like a reward, not a “time-out”

This is the part that makes or breaks your results. For puppy crate training, start with the door open and let your puppy explore. Feed a few treats inside, praise calmly, and keep early sessions short. You want “crate = calm wins,” not “crate = you disappear.”

5) Build a repeatable rhythm

Crates are best used in short, predictable windows: rest after play, rest after meals, quiet time during busy moments. Puppies especially need frequent breaks for bathroom + movement. If your schedule is unpredictable, set up a consistent pattern at home so travel/boarding doesn't feel like a sudden change.

6) For travel: use the right tool (including “airline approved dog crate” searches)

If you're searching for an airline approved dog crate, what you really need is a travel crate that meets the requirements for your specific airline and travel method (cargo vs cabin rules differ). Petmate positions the Petmate Sky Kennel as a heavy-duty travel crate that's compliant with the 2025 IATA Live Animals Regulation standards and notes it meets most airline cargo specifications while still advising you to confirm with the airline. For everyday car rides and general training/travel crossover, Petmate describes the Petmate Vari Kennel as ideal for training and traveling, with 360-degree airflow ventilation and a squeeze latch door.

7) Long-term use: treat your dog crate like safety gear

Do a quick monthly check: door alignment, latch strength, sharp edges, and overall stability. If your dog is a determined chewer or pushes the door when anxious, that's a sign you may need a sturdier setup or a different crate type for certain scenarios.

FAQ

How long can I leave my puppy in a crate?

For puppies, think “short and reasonable,” with frequent potty breaks and movement. A common rule of thumb many trainers use is about one hour per month of age (plus one) as a maximum, but every puppy is different. If your puppy is fussing, having accidents, or chewing the crate, shorten the time and build up more gradually.

What size kennel does my dog need?

Use the sizing chart above as a starting point, then confirm by fit: stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably without looking cramped. If you're choosing between two sizes, pick the one that supports comfort and helps with training (too much extra space can slow house training).

Are wire or plastic kennels better?

It depends on your goal. Petmate notes wire crates often offer flexibility for training (like divider panels and visibility), while plastic crates are typically preferred for car/air travel due to their enclosed, protective design.

Can I use the same kennel for home and travel?

Yes, many pet parents do. A travel-ready plastic kennel can work at home too if your dog settles well in a den-like space. Petmate positions the Vari Kennel as ideal for both training and traveling.

How do I get my dog to like the crate?

Make it predictable and positive: start with the door open, reward calm exploration, feed treats inside, and build time slowly. Add a comfortable mat and keep early sessions short so your dog learns the crate is where good things happen.