The Petmate Portable Pet Home Soft Crate is Back!

Some great news that I discovered last week is that the Petmate Portable Pet Home is back and better than ever.  This was always one of my favorite soft dog crates, and when all of my suppliers discontinued it, I assumed that Petmate had discontinued making it.  Well, whatever the reason, it is no more.  It is back and better than ever. 

The Portable Pet Home by Petmate still comes in 6 great sizes, ready to accommodate just about any sized pet (with the exception of very large pets).  The new colors are fabulous.  Instead of having a different color for different sizes like older models, the new variations all come in the same color combo.  It is a dark brown on the bottom and a tan or light brown on the top.  The features are tough to beat too.

Along with being made by Petmate, one of the leading manufacturers of dog crates and kennels, the Portable Pet Home is one of the toughest and most comfortable soft crates your dog can have.  It features 600 denier polyester with PVC backing for a reasonably strong soft dog crate.  I always mention it when I talk about soft crates, but please do not consider one if you have a dog that chews, is anxious, aggressive, or not trained to be in a crate.  It will only end up in pieces.  No matter how tough it is, your dog will easily be able to chew or claw his or her way out if not properly crate trained.

With the exception of the Mini, all of the new Petmate Portable Pet Homes come with ground stakes that allow them to be staked to the ground, just like a tent.  They are perfect for camping and other outdoor adventures, such as trips to the beach or park.  They also come with a comfortable pad, are water resistant, and easy to set up and take down. 

I recommend this crate for anyone who likes outdoor activities with their pets and dogs, and has a dog or pet that is comfortable in the crate.  Remember, that soft dog crates are not airline approved, and they really aren't the safest for car travel either, but they are perfect when you get to your destination.  They are also great for home use, and come with a lot of features.

Check out a Petmate Portable Pet Home at Canine Crate Store, and take a look at what they have to offer.  I believe you too will like the new colors, added strength, and great features they offer.

What is the Best Dog Crate?

This is a very familiar and popular question.  Many people are looking for the best dog crate, and there are a lot of different answers regarding this.  There are so many different crates on the market today, that each serve different purposes, so I can't pick a specific crate that is the answer to the question.  The real answer depends on what you will be using it for and what type of dog you have.  There are some that I prefer over others, and quality as I have stated in most all of my posts, should be a top priority.  Evaluating you dog's specific needs (and yours too) will help you in deciding what type of crate to buy.  Here are the most popular types, and what I would recommend using them for.

Plastic Dog Crates - Great for traveling with your pet.  Make sure you find a top quality product that is approved for airline use (if that is your purpose) and be sure to check with the airline you are flying on, because each has specific guidelines.  They are also very tough and last a very long time (I use one that's as old as me)

Wire Dog Crates - Great for indoor or outdoor use, and excellent for training purposes.  They can be made very plush with the addition of a bed, cover, and there is even furniture designed to go over them and make them an attractive addition to the home.  Many top brands fold flat and store easily.  They are strong and great for traveling in the car, but not approved for airlines.

Soft Dog Crates - Great for the outdoor or traveling type.  They are very portable and act just like your pet's own personal tent.  They are excellent for going to the park, beach, on a camping adventure, or any similar type activity.  They should not be used for dogs that chew, or aggressive dogs.  Good ones are made of tough fabric that is usually water resistant, but still don't hold up to a chewing canine.

As you can see, it can be a difficult question to answer.  I certainly have my own personal recommendations as to specific models in each category, but what I prefer, may not be best for everyone.  Just make sure you choose quality, and maybe you too will be using a dog crate that's as old as you someday.




 

The Next Generaton of Soft Dog Crates

Behold the Pet Gear Home N Go Generation II Soft Crate!  I have seen many soft dog crates in my day, and I have to say that I am really impressed with this specimen.  These fine softies are made my Pet Gear Inc.  I have to say that I am really enjoy the products that this company provides our pets.

Pet Gear Inc. is a division of Vermont Juvenile Furniture and the parent company has been providing products for kids since 1936.    I am very glad that they decided to start providing products for our furry children as well.  One of the things that I really like about the Pet Gear products is that they are not like the majority of pet products on the market.  The Pet Gear Soft Crates in particular have been constructed with your pet as the number 1 priority.  The Generation II Dog Crates are very sturdy and long lasting provided you do not have a pet that loves to chew.  It doesn't matter how tough a fabric crate is, if your pet is still in the chewing phase or has not been trained properly, there is no soft crate that will hold up against those sharp puppy teeth.

For you the owner, one of the best features of the Pet Gear Soft Crate is its portability.  It folds very easily with the push of a button and comes with a great storage bag for easy carrying.  It has one of the strongest frames I have seen on a soft crate.  The company claims that the oval design is stronger than rounded types.  It is available in sizes to fit almost any pet.  My Lab fits nicely in the Large size.  An extra large would be nice for those pet owners who have giant breed pets, and maybe we will see one in the future.

As far as your pet goes, these soft dog crates come with a lot of comfortable additions including a treat bag, and adjustable leash, a two sided pad, and a removable inner tray for easy cleaning.  With there not being an extra large size, the only other downfall is that each size, with the exception of the Small, only has one color available.  The Small comes in Red or Pink.  It would probably result in a lot of inventory that was never sold if we had too many options available.  The colors are quite attractive and add to the overall quality of this fine crate.  Check them out if you are looking for something long lasting and fashionable in a soft dog crate.

Soft Dog Crates - Portable and Fashionable

A Durable Soft Dog Crate may be the dog crate that you are looking for.  If you are the outdoors type, or take your pet with you wherever you go, then one of these fancy crates is definitely worth taking a look at.  I first experienced soft dog crates when my brother-in-law brought his new puppy over to my house for me to look after a few days when he was leaving town.  He showed up with the pup and all of her stuff and whipped out this tent looking thing.  In a matter of seconds it was up and boom, she had a crate.  I was amazed by the strength and durability of the soft dog crate.  It provided a very nice portable shelter for his dog and was easy to set up and take down.  It folded so flat that you cold literally fit it into any space, which is nice compared to a plastic dog crate which is big and bulky, or a wire dog crate, which even though quality models fold, are quite heavy.  I took a look in to the top soft dog crates after that and decided that I would most definitely get some for my two dogs.  

There are many different brands and models, and I recommend a quality brand over any other.  It is worth the few extra dollars because a quality soft dog crate is going to be sturdy and provide features that are worth it like water resistant material, tent stakes and staking loops, plenty of storage, and a tough frame.  Cheaper models are quite a bit more flimsy and won't hold up to the wear a dog can put on them.  My two dogs love their soft dog crates.  I really don't have a brand that I would recommend over all others.  I would look into the top names, and see which soft dog crate best suits your needs and fashion desires.  Some of the best I have found are the Midwest Canine Camper Crates,  Pet Gear Generation II Soft Crates.  Now, there is plenty of room to take a crate with you and your pet wherever you go.

Midwest Canine Camper Soft Dog Crates - Now Available

The Midwest Canine Camper is one of the best soft pet crates on the market.  This is a very sturdy soft crate.  These fabulous crates are perfect for camping and other outdoor activities.  They are great for indoor use too.  One of the coolest things about this crate is that there are no poles, straps, or tools are required for assembly.  Just pop it up and zip using Midwest's patented technology  That's it!  The Midwest Canine Camper Soft Dog Crate is made from heavy duty, 600 denier polyester with PVC backing for a water resistant soft crate.  A double sided, synthetic sheepskin cover on the floor makes it extra comfortable for your dog.  This dog crate will live up to its name!  For a lighter version, Midwest also makes the Canine Camper Day Tripper.  This too features the same pop and zip technology, is a bit lighter and comes at a lower price.  Both of these great versions are very affordable and I recommend them for anyone looking for a soft crate for their dog.

Soft Dog Crates - Now Available

Soft sided dog crates are really neat.  They have been growing in popularity recently and for good reasons.  They are light, portable, and they just plain look better than other types of dog crates.  If you are the traveling or camping type, a soft dog crate is the crate for you.  They fold flat, are easy to set up, and are very durable.  High quality soft dog crates are usually water resistant, can be staked to the ground, and have pockets to store things for your dog.  The only drawback of a soft dog crate is the fact that it is made of fabric.  If you have a dog that chews, no matter how tough it is, it is no match for a good set of teeth.  Get the information you need about soft dog crates when choosing one for your pet.