LifeStages® Dog Crate
LifeStages® Dog Crate
$0.00
About LifeStages® Dog Crate
Safe, secure and durable:
- Door features secure slide-bolt latch with locking tip and patented Paw Block™
- Low threshold and wide door for an easy entry and exit
- Perfect for house training
- Wire frame ensures proper ventilation and visibility
Convenient:
- Sets up in seconds and folds flat for storage
- Includes divider panel to adjust living space
- Removable leak-proof plastic pan makes cleaning easy
- Rubber feet protect floors and surfaces
- Comes in 6 sizes for extra small to extra-large breeds
Description
LifeStages® Dog Crates by MidWest Homes for Pets are designed around the safety, security, and comfort of your dog. LifeStages® Crates are made to be your dog’s home for life.
The spacious LifeStages® Single Door is available in six different dimensions to accommodate the smallest and largest dogs as well as all those in between. The wire panel design of this dog crate variety allows for maximum visibility so your dog can always see what’s going on, and the thicker wire gauge adds give your LifeStages® Crate an extra layer of security.
Deborah Simpson –
I have an older dog that needed a smaller kennel for his size and separation anxiety. this replaced the very large one he came with a few years ago. when i set up the new one with a cover and put one of his beds in it, he started to take interest, even gone in a few times and took a nap. no more crying at night. he loves his new night-night bed.
AsenaAsena –
***UPDATE BELOW***Okay we have had this thing for several months. We live on a semi truck and only use it when we go into the mechanic shop. We left it folded up and on one of our tires and ran it over. It is just fine. I can’t see any damanage.These kennels are honestly the best. Fast shipping, you can put it together in 5 minutes tops and it lasts forever!!! Unfortunately we got it for a naughty kitty who likes to ruin blinds and dig in the plants at night. He honestly doesn’t mind being in the kennel, so win win!I was in no way paid or reimbursed for my honest review.
4 people found this helpful
danielle –
First, I’d like to mention that this is the third crate I have purchased of this type. I am more than satisfied with these crates. We purchased a smaller version of this for our first pup, who we thought was only going to grow to be 25-30 lbs. Well, long story short, he grew (no regrets!) and needed something bigger. So we got him this model. When we got a second pup, we ordered another crate of this size. That’s why we have three of these.We didn’t crate train our first dog for various reasons, but his crate turned out to be his little “man cave.” He spends most of his nap time in the crate (voluntarily) and prefers it to anywhere else in the house. So the dog likes it… but let’s talk durability.At first, I was hesitant about this purchase because of the price. I figured– you get what you pay for, right?. Typically that rule is accurate, but for this crate, I completely disagree. PetCo, PetSmart, and any other retail pet store that carries crates like these, will charge almost double! Some reviews stated that the metal hinges break or bend– I honestly do not see how. At this stage in our lives we are phasing out the cheap college furniture we once had and starting to buy more durable, nicer things to keep for the future. This crate– while not very appealing because it is a crate– is more than durable and will last a lifetime.Our oldest dog is one and a half years old, and the younger one is about to be six months old. The older one is a dutch shepherd/catahola mix (we think?) and the younger one is some sort of blue heeler mix. They are hyper, and playful, and sometimes cause trouble, but have NOT broken through the crate yet.I highly recommend this purchase for the smart shopper.
María Moreno –
To be honest I didn’t expect it to be that perfect, it was really easy to assemble and we constantly fold it to get more space, easy to fold and assemble takes less than 2 minutes. We even pack it for a trip and it fits in the car. I bought the largest one and my two dogs fit perfectly, I have one puppy 5 months old that weights approx. 30 pounds and one medium size boxer mix 10 years old that weights around 40 pounds. They both fit inside and have enough space to move. Honestly one of the best things I have ever bought online.
Tyler B –
I currently own two of these crates. They are very well made and I couldn’t find a better price on them anywhere. I bought the first crate after we adopted our current rescue puppy. Without knowing anything about her breed mixes I over estimated how large she would grow and ended up with a crate that was larger than needed. After a year and a half she still sleeps in it so we got a smaller crate to fit better in the room. We’re definitely keeping both since they fold up and store very well. It’s great to have a spare in case we need it for a foster dog or kittens.Be aware the opening around the base of these crates just above the plastic pan may be large enough for the dog to slip their paw through to scratch or pull on whatever may be nearby. These crates are excellent to provide a pet a safe place to rest and keep them from roaming around the house, building, etc. They cannot be relied on to reliably contain a strong or very anxious dog. If the dog has anxiety about being in the crate while left alone or becomes restless, it’s possible they could damage the nearby flooring or pull anything nearby into the crate with them. In the past we had a dog that escaped from the crate because of severe separation anxiety and learned to manage him otherwise.
2 people found this helpful
Claudia CardenasClaudia Cardenas –
Ordered two of these for my miniature dachshunds and they were very simple to set up. I tried crate training my 9 years old mini weenie and my new puppy mini weenie, and since they were not getting along I decided to give them each their own space. It was really hard the first few nights, and it turned out when push came to shove they ended up wanting to share one crate together and started getting along…who knew! It did grow with them, so two miniature dachshunds (one overweight) fit well in a 30″ double door with no problem. I was also able to use with just the puppy alone and put a bowl of water in there and a pee pad for the puppy to potty train him and it worked out well…or well enough (dachshunds are a handful to train).And to be honest, I did not have the strength to leave them in the crate overnight….by 3am they were back out and in bed with me lol but it made a nice place for them to rest in and hide away whenever they were overstimulated by guests (aka other peoples kids)
David Fabelo –
This product is really huge. I did not know that the cage was as bug as it was. Make sure you read the measurements. I purchased the smaller cage for my 30 lb Aussie which was too small. My mistake was thinking that this was the next size up. This cage can fit two or three aussies without a problem. The cage is more appropriate for a 90 lb + dog it’s large legs and structure. This is entirely my mistake and not the vendor. Only take away is that if you purchase too large of a kennel, your dog may revert its potty training bc of the large space. Overall, this product is perfect for large dogs and is simple to break down and assemble.
SaraSara –
We bought a second crate for our new dog so they would be identical. The new crate, purchased just months later, is a different size. The label plaque on the front is now brown with the new size dimensions but this is not what’s shown in the listing. The listing still shows the older size with the blue label. Disappointing!
One person found this helpful
B combsB combs –
In case anyone is wondering if their dog will fit the 42 inch kennel… yes, yes they will ???? here is my 6 foot tall husband (and my curious cat) inside, with the two doors shut. This is actually our second time buying this kennel, we originally bought our first one for our terrier when she was a puppy. The divider is perfect for potty training, and the plastic tray bottom is removable, you can slide it out without even opening the kennel. We just got our second puppy and he is some kind of Sheppard mix and will definitely be big. This kennel is also great because it is collapsible, which makes traveling SUPER easy. We have moved twice and the kennel folds flat, and guess what? It fits in the trunk of our camry. Our puppies have grown to love it, and it has become their comfort zone. There are no rough edges or sharp metal anywhere and is super sturdy. Will definitely be a lifelong customer of Midwest Life Stages.
2 people found this helpful
Jorge E. Roman –
This is based on the first day. If anything happens I’ll update the review.Size: I have a 42 lbs labrador mix. Size is more than big enough for him but he liked to sleep on with his feet sticking out a bit from his bed, and the bed barely fits. But yes, plenty of space for him to get up and turn around.Assembly: The assembly WOULD have been simple enough if it wasn’t for the fact some of the hooks on the side assembly were grabbing two of the metal wires (instead of being in between the two). This meant I had to forcibly (and with tools) get the hook back to its right position before I could even do the second step in the folding process. But once I did it was simple enough. But try not stressing out over the thing you bought not working while the pup is walking next to you and all over the crate and trying to get you to throw the toy.Durability: My pup has separation anxiety. This is meant to crate train him. We’ll see if it’s still holding up when I wake up as I’m sure he will try to get out and complain. And then we’ll see if it’s holding up after I get back from work which is arguably the real test. God I hope it does, this pup has destroyed so much of my stuff due to nerves when I’m gone.
One person found this helpful
Alex H –
The MIDWEST LIFE STAGES DOUBLE DOOR METAL DOG CRATE is a must have for those who are bringing a new pup into the house. It provides the puppy a safe environment, kind of like his own doggie room, so he feels safe and secure and can ease into his new family home. It also gives you a break because it will keep them out of and away from places and things that could harm them like electrical cords, cleaning supplies, or kitchens with hot stoves.I bought the 30″ x 21″ x 24″ inch crate for my 9-week old Shiba Inu pup and she loves it. Even though it’s quite large for her small 4.9 lb self right now, the MIDWEST METAL DOG CRATE comes with a metal divider so you can make the space smaller for crate training. And as your pup gets bigger, you just move the divider further and further back until you don’t need it anymore. This helps you save money because you don’t have to go out a buy another one.It comes with assembly and divider panel instructions, and an additional sheet that tells you how to use the MIDWEST CRATE for potty training. You can also get some more tips at their website.The CRATE also comes with two plastic handles for easy carrying and a plastic liner that acts as the floor. You can also purchase
Midwest Quiet Time Deluxe Plastic Carrier Pet Beds, 33″x23″
, which will fit the liner perfectly — just pick the corresponding size — so your baby has a comfy bed. I bought one to go with the crate, but I’m not going to use it until my Shiba is a little older — just in-case of accidents. If you would like to buy the bed, you can still use the divider to section off the crate because there’s enough space under the divider for the bed.It has two doors, each having two locks, so you can use the crate either with more space in width or more space in length.I only gave 4-stars because it was a little difficult to open up. The MIDWEST METAL DOG CRATE folds down and up, so there are no tools required, but it was tricky to open up. Since it’s all black it was hard to tell which panel was which. And the instructions were under all the panels, so you had to open it up to get to them, and my crate wasn’t going to open easily. I think it has something to do with the round metal clips that keep the panels together; if they aren’t facing the right direction, it’s harder to get that specific panel to open, so that the rest of it opens up like it’s supposed to. And you can get your fingers pinched if you aren’t careful.It’s much cheaper to buy the MIDWEST METAL DOG CRATE here on Amazon, than buying from a pet specialty store. Anyway, I highly recommend it and it’s a great thing to have to help your furry family member adjust to their new home.
One person found this helpful
J. Kirby –
Our current dog (a Springer Spaniel) is the first dog we have ever crate trained from puppyhood and this is the crate we used. She has used it since she came home at two months of age and she continues to use it now. We bought a cover for it so she has her own little cave in my den which she can go to whenever she needs a nap or to sleep at night. The only thing I could suggest for an improvement would be to make the door removable. We no longer use the door.
Lily –
It’s a well made good cage for containing a large breed dog when you need to or for training them as puppies. I’d give it five stars except for one thing – my Rottweiler, who is one and a half, managed to push the door open and squeeze out. Not really the fault of the manufacturer, my pup is a bit of a brat lol. She saw a very big spider and decided she had to eat it (I live rural and we have giant spiders 🙁 ). I was still surprised she managed this being she is 85 lbs, but, I think she is the exception and it never happened again. There’s nothing wrong with the cage – easy to pop up and assemble and move around, not very heavy. I actually have 2 of the same.
2 people found this helpful
windward –
When I received this, it was stuck together pretty tightly. I’m sure it was from being shipped. I worked it loose and it went together easily. IF YOU”RE NOT USED TO LIFTING HEAVY THINGS I HIGHLY RECOMMEND GETTING HELP TO BRING IT INSIDE……..it is very heavy. It’s n excellent kennel for large breeds. Easy to clean and sturdy enough to keep your dog safe and secure. Be sure and remove dog’s collar before putting him or her in, better safe than sorry. All in all a good buy. Highly recommend.
JPH –
i bought this for my black lab puppy back in April. We crate her at night or during these hot Texas summer days, as she forgets she’s not the size of our Yorkie. I hate this cage now. Two months…inside…and the front door won’t even shut now because it’s suddenly warped. She doesn’t bite at or pull the bars, so we can’t figure out why it’s not latching anymore. There’s an extra safety feature that has you slightly life the door over the bars before you slide the latches closed. We can’t even get these to latch or get the slides closed. I would NOT recommend this cage to anyone!
11 people found this helpful
Cian F –
I wanted a large enough cage for our golden, so when we had to put him in it he’d be comfortable. This is definitely large enough for him to move around in, turn around, get comfortable, and rest. Has a removable bottom tray I guess in case you need to clean it out. I use a dog bed in it as well. Was a simple design and setup was easy; everything just folds out and clips together.The only real problem I had with this is one day the dog managed to get the side door open. The latches are really loose sliding latches. So enough jostling of the cage over enough time (the side door was never actually used, so I never bothered to inspect the latches), and they worked themselves free. I had seen him do it with the front door latches one at a time before (over a single night), so I should’ve expected this to happen to both latches. I now use carabiners on one latch per side. Makes it easy to take off and secures it from being accidently worked opened.I had a similar sized full plastic carrier cage years ago that I liked a lot less. While that one was more “mobile” (although hardly anything that sized and with a dog that size is carry/mobilized), the hard plastic started to become brittle with age, and broke apart at latch points and handle points. I think this metal one will last a lot longer, and I like that it’s more open for the dog. It does come with small carrying handles but I don’t know if I’d try to move it with a dog in it. For the size and the price you can’t go wrong with this (if you watch it on amazon it frequently drops down around 45$).
Kep –
First off, this crate is sturdy enough once I managed to get it set-up. I’m pretty handy but found this to test the limits of my sanity.The first crate arrived damaged; it was bent out of shape and the door was extremely difficult to close and latch. Amazon was quick to send out a new crate (and send UPS to pick up the first).The new crate arrived, and I could not believe what I had to do to get this crate unfolded. The two end panels have curved hooks that are used to interlock with the top of the crate when completely unfolded. Well, when lying flat on the bottom of the crate, the hooks on the door panel hook onto the back end panel making it VERY difficult to lift the door panel. I managed to unhook the door panel but could not lift it more than a fraction of an inch. Turns out, the divider was lying hooks up and was caught on the door panel. I could not easily move the divider panel because the other end panel was hooked to the divider!!! What a tangled mess. This could have been avoided by shipping the divider panel in cardboard or hooks down (with something to protect the plastic pan). I’m going to make sure I use cardboard to keep the hooks from latching onto the panels if I ever need to fold this crate!I really wish I could remember the manufacturer of the dog crate I bought last year. It has the curved hooks on the TOP of the crate, not on the end panels. Nothing catches so it’s super easy to set-up.While the first crate set-up much easier than the second (the divider wasn’t caught on either end panel), I cannot recommend this crate because one shouldn’t have to struggle to unfold a dog crate!
One person found this helpful
Annie F –
Excellent. Perfect for our extra large 8mo Shepherd/Rodigian mix. Note: should measure space where intended use. Purchased because it had both side & end gates but side gate was in wrong position for where we needed in our bedroom… realized we needed a side gate further to the end. Our fault. (because of size and extremely heavy weight it was just too difficult to return) Recommend product, just be sure you know exactly where you need gate to open if you will be using in a tight space.
Wild Life –
I bought this crate to train my puppy in 2009. After 12 years, this crate is still going strong. It’s still standing, just as strong as when we bought this. He rarely goes in there except when we vacuum since he hates loud noise. He’s been so good, he hasn’t needed to have a time out in the crate in ages. If you’re looking for a crate that lasts, look no further. Get this one, you won’t regret it!
Bobby Rai –
The packaging was very nice but the product wasn’t. Was a bit tough to assemble. Sharp edging everywhere. Was scare to even put my dog in it as it can easily cut him. Maybe a manufacturing problem that they didn’t sand it down before painting but it was sharp so I returned it unfortunately.
One person found this helpful
Nick Alexander –
We have been crating our puppy in this crate since he was about 2 months old & weighed 10 lb (now almost a year old & a little over 30 lb). Originally we thought we were going to be adopting a full grown 50 lb black lab which is why we had such a large crate for such a small dog. We decided to keep it & see how it worked out since it came with the divider panel. We’ve been very happy with the results.Pros-Even when we first started crating him, we were able to size his space with the divider panel to an adequate size for him to sleep comfortably but not too much room for him to use it as a bathroom as well. Adding size to the interior wasn’t much of a hassle, just slide the panel back one set of vertical wires as puppy needs more space. He is now fully grown (or very nearly there) and we have removed the divider panel. He sleeps in it every night.-Assembly is a breeze. The crate comes as a single assembly that you pretty much just unfold & lock into place. There are extra pieces (the divider panel & carrying handles), but those are optional to use. Breaking it back down for storage or transport is equally simple. Just reverse the process of assembly & it folds right back up to the original packaged size & shape.-Portability: This crate folds up to a pretty small size (when compared to its open shape). It’s not light, but having a crate that can be packed in the car for a road trip is very useful for weekend trips, going to see family, etc. Also, the included carrying handles make hauling it around quite manageableCons-If you are using the divider panel, the side door is useless until your dog grows large enough. Not really a huge issue, but make sure you don’t get a crate that’s too large or you’ll never be able to use the side door. We ended up positioning the crate with the side door against a wall while he was still small so now that we aren’t using the divider panel we still don’t use the side door.-The bottom plastic floor can slide in & out of the crate while the crate is fully assembled. A few times we have found that the tray slides out if he is leaning up against the back wall of the crate (basically pushing it out with his weight). If you notice it you can just knock it back in but over an extended period (if you are crating all day), this could push out quite far & then expose whatever floor is below the crate to potential damage.Neither of these complaints is substantial enough for me not to like the product. Excellent in my opinion, and very reasonably priced compared to the competition.
One person found this helpful
R. C. Lewis –
Was used once to transport my girls (otherwise known as kitties) with me when I moved across state lines. I took the center divider and mounted it horizontally to allow for more surface area. I installed portable litter box (Nature’s Miracle I believe) on one level and matching Midwest Quiet Time Pet Bed on the other. Purchased a pair of Midwest Stainless Steel Snap’y Fit Water and Feed Bowls for food/water. Lots of zip ties to keep everything in place.When crate arrived, it was to my chagrin that I ordered a crate (36″Wx24″Lx27″T) that was too tall for my Toyata Prius (2nd generation model); it measured good for the interior, but would not make it past the doors unfolded, and I did not have the internal room to unfold it if I stuck it through the doors folded. So a buddy and I modified it to fit…Three kitties sat in it for the 13+ hr drive and yowled for the first 6… sure wish that I had thought to bring earplugs! All of my kitties are ~15-18lbs and had room to move (though not too much). They eventually settled down and the trip was largely uneventful after that.Due to the modifications that we made, the crate had to be disposed of once I reached my designation, but it was super beneficial for this particular trip. I would not have consigned my girls to small carriers for that length of time, nor deprived them of food/water/litter.
MyRealReview –
This is a well made crate. The wire is heavy duty, the finish is nice, and the doors are solid. It is actually bigger than I expected. I have a soon to be 60 pound dog and ordered the next size up from recommended. I should’ve gotten the recommended size because the sizing is generous.I think that this crate represents an excellent value compared to prices elsewhere. Crates are invaluable training tools, and this one is very well made and cheapest by far that I’ve found. I have two other midwest crates that are 5+ years old and going strong. The finish even looks good.My complaints are with the divider. I planned to use the divider while the puppy grows. There are two problems I’ve found, and one might be a safety hazard.1. When the divider is installed, you cannot use the broad side door. This limits the ways you can arrange the crate in your room. We now have a peninsula jetting out into our living room and can’t wait until the puppy grows(…and gets potty trained…and learns to cook dinner).2. When the divider is installed, there is a gap of about three inches at the bottom. I feel that this is a hazard to a puppy if they get their head stuck. Make sure your puppy’s head is well larger than the gap before you use the divider. Furthermore, the gap allows the pup to push her food bowl out of the crate. Then she cries because she’s hungry and can see the food.ONE FINAL COMMENT:Take all collars off of young dogs. They are small enough that they can climb up the walls inside the crate, get the collar snagged, and hang themselves.
5 people found this helpful
Robin M. EalesRobin M. Eales –
First off the product is great. We already had several of these kennels but our newest German Shepherd is very large and we needed a slightly bigger kennel for him – see attached photo. We love having a side and end door because we sometimes use this in our car, SUV or motorhome and we can’t always just use the end door. We have 6 dogs and we have tried a lot of kennels over the last 25 years and these are the best ever. We ran into a problem where our kennel got damaged (our fault-not a warranty or quality issue) and I called their customer support to see if it could be repaired. They said they would just replace the entire kennel AT NO CHARGE. I told them it was our fault but they still replaced it. I love the kennel and love the company.
9 people found this helpful
Taj –
My puppy is a large variant of the German Shepherd breed. I needed a cage that wouldn’t break the bank and that would allow me to give her plenty of room that she needs.This enclosure has a partition you can move to adjust for your dog’s size as he or she grows. I put my dog’s bedding in there and she absolutely loves it. She doesn’t act like she feels confined or trapped at all, having enough room to turn around and play properly. She runs right in if we tap on the top.Materials-wise, this cage is durable and the bottom has a very heavy plastic tray. It’s held up to her bouncing around in it and hasn’t suffered a scratch. Two doors allow for easy entrance and cleaning. Did I mention this thing folds up small and can be transported in the trunk of a car? It’s heavy, but it’s very sturdy. Great for trips if you need to take a piece of home with you to keep your dog comfortable. Love it and would buy again if I ever need a second one!
4 people found this helpful
BrittMaestrettiBrittMaestretti –
I love this crate so much that I have 2 of the same ones. 1642DD I got the first one 16 years ago with my first Labrador retriever who used it for 3 years, then it was used with a second Labrador retriever immediately after she was no longer in a crate with a second Labrador who was an extremely destructive male. He tore the plastic pan to shreds when he was 16 weeks old so we had to have a metal pan custom made for the crate and he used it for 5 years. Then it has been used by my Goldador for the past 5 years. So for 13 of the 16 years it has been through everything. I have attached a picture of it next to the new one as it will still be in use for my Goldador who unfortunately can’t be trusted outside of the crate when left at home. I just added a 8 week old golden retriever to my family and I made sure to get the same crate since I couldn’t pass the 1st one to him while it’s still in use. I won’t ever buy another brand I can go on and on with how perfect it is. The new one arrived and it is very obviously it is new but the old one is still in great condition. I couldn’t asked for a more reputable company to provide a safe space for my fur children
Jessica Henry –
I have a pitbull terrier who’s 7 years old. He looks like a puppy in this thing. Lol. So it’s definitely huge. He loves it. It’s his “bedroom.” He can stand up, turn around, sleep stretched all the way out. Assembly is a cinch! Directions are very easy to read. I can open it up in less than a minute and close it down just the same. Very durable. Well made! I recommend.
2 people found this helpful
jhtitan –
So far I am happy with the overall quality. The door on the end is a little tight to latch but I am hopeful it will loosen up with use. With some of the reviews we read we did look it over for sharp or possibly harmful edges and have found none so far. Went together in a few minuets. This is our second wire type kennel and they both assemble the same so if your familiar with this type of collapsible kennel then it should be no problem to set up.4 stars is due the the door quality. The tight door is because it is either hung too high or its out of square with the front panel. The latch on the door is not in line with the catch on the frame and has to be pushed down to open or close the door. I feel this should have a much better fit and I should not have to use 2 hands to open it. Side door works and fits fine but with the divider in you have to use the end door.I will update this review if I have any problems in the near future, I have about a week til our new puppy comes home and we are excited. Once he comes home then the kennel will be getting some use and we will have a better opinion.
Micah D. –
First, always make sure you REMOVE YOUR DOG’S COLLAR when crating them. It is for their own safety because if they get stuck they will kill themselves trying to get free.I own a 3 year old GSP (German Shorthaired Pointer) who is VERY smart and had figured out how to open her crate by nudging it with her nose over and over until the bottom latch would come undone. I now secure it locks so she can’t open it but she inevitably still tries. She’s determined! My previous crate had a slight bow at the bottom from her pushing so hard. I immediately noticed this crate (which I thought was the same I had ordered before) uses a thicker gauge metal and is more much solid! No complaints so far.
One person found this helpful
LillyReviews –
Our lab mix loves to travel with us. Our pooch knows she gets to go somewhere with us as soon as she spots us putting her crate in the back of our SUV. Her tail starts wagging non-stop until we’re ready to leave and she needs no coaxing to jump inside. We use bungee cords to further secure the crate to the cargo area of the SUV. The floor is metal so you’ll need to line it with something soft and snuggly. We purchased this item on Amazon and it works great for lining the crate: Midwest 40236 36-By-23-Inch Quiet Time Bolster Pet Bed, Fleece.Our pooch has plenty of room to stand or sit and look out the windows, or keep her eye on us, and to turn around into a more comfortable position. It gives us peace of mind knowing that if we get in an accident or need to slam on the brakes, the crate will help keep her (and us) safer as she won’t become a 60-pound projectile hurling through the vehicle. (Now if only the crate came with air bags.)A few convenient things about this crate that are worth mentioning:1) It has two doors — one on the long side and one on the short side — so depending on how you need to arrange it in your vehicle, your pet will have easy access to get in and out.2) The wire crate allows the driver to see through the crate and out the rear window. It also allows your pet a 360 degree view of their surrounding. (We also have another type of carrier that is made of heavy duty molded plastic but it blocks the rear window and makes it difficult to watch the traffic, and it doesn’t allow much of a view for our pet.)3) It’s collapsible for storage when not in use.I highly recommend this product for traveling with your pet to keep them secure and safe in the vehicle.
A. Altieri –
I have a Goldie and got the 42x28x31 size. It’s absolutely brilliant. Sadly, I have to replace it.I got it at Amazon to avoid having to fight with trying get one into my car. So bonus points there. And when we got it, I think it fell out of the box and set itself up. Ok, I’m mildly exaggerating. But we had it set up in under a minute. It is literally just unfolding it. The divider is ok, it hooks into the top and both sides. However we only used it for a short time. Once the pup was about 12 weeks old, we just let her wander around in there without issue.The two doors are fantastic. We can put this thing just about anywhere and it’s accessible. In our case, we have it along a wall in the living room, using the door on the longer side for her to get in or out. She can see everything and is ok with it this way. We did put a bed sheet (a Twin sheet just folded in half length-wise) over the crate to give her some privacy and to block some of the light from getting in to help her sleep. She seemed to really like that as she was almost immediately calmer when she was in there. But do be mindful about putting a sheet or anything over the crate. My goldie was able to pull a corner of the sheet in and chew it off.I’ve never had a problem with the pup (six months old at time of writing this) figuring out how to open the door or anything. In fact, the only two problems I’ve had with this crate are that a) the price has dropped about $30 since I got it, and b) my goldie has grown more than ANYONE expected so now even the 30 inch high model is too short for her. She has to duck her head when she is sitting. I suppose I can’t really blame Amazon for either of these issues. I mean, even I didn’t know the wee lass was a descendant of Clifford!All things considered, I’d order this again in a second, and I very highly recommend these crates. The only reason I’m replacing mine is my pup is just getting too tall. My recommendation is to think long and hard about how big a crate you need……then get the next larger size.
2 people found this helpful
WalkingDeadFan –
This crate is awesome. Not only is it at a fabulous price but it will actually grow with my dog. Until I began my search for a kennel for my new puppy I was having a very difficult time trying to decide what size to order. The thought of having a bunch of different size kennels and the cost to go along with it was not appealing, to say the least. When I discovered this crate with a divide, I was sold!! Now, since my puppy is little, he can have the perfect amount of room to train him not to potty in his crate. As he grows older I can easily allow him more room, until he gets the entire space available. My daughter, who is 14, was so proud of herself that she could put the new crate together all by herself. When I pointed out that it simply “unfolds” she instructed me not to tell her Daddy that. Lol. But it is very easy to put together, it’s just heavy, so ask a friend for help moving it.If you found this review helpful please click “yes” below so I know I’m not wasting my time writing these reviews.
Cathy C. –
Great product. Very sturdy and easy to open. I purchased this for my three cats so that if ever had to evacuate or wanted to take them on vacation. They hate being in individual kennels, to the point of having anxiety attacks and will start hyperventalating and drooling. I purchased the 42″ one and all three walked in and checked it out. Fits fine with room for a litter box, and their food and water bowls mounted on the sides. I anticipate that I’ll have to drape a sheet to keep too much draft off them from the air conditioner. Others suggested zip tying the divider to the wall to form a shelf for additional space, but we’ll see how this works and go from there.
2 people found this helpful
BWBW –
This cage is fantastic! We initially purchased a cage from another manufacturer. It had a steel pan which would likely rust over time. More importantly the other cage was wobbly and did not fit together as firmly.The Life Stages cage is very sturdy and has more substantial door latches. We used the divider a bit differently than intended. We installed it sideways in the cage, covered it with a piece of cardboard and a towel, and made a loft for the kitten. He is able to climb the side of the cage to reach the loft. This use of the divider essentially doubles the useable area of the cage for small, climbing pets.
10 people found this helpful
J. SpannJ. Spann –
This kennel will work for our girl because she enjoys being in a kennel. This kennel was bent and made me sweat like crazy. What should have taken me a few minutes took me 45 minutes because the top is bent and I had to pry with a screw driver together apart.
One person found this helpful
SRT –
We bought the 42″ crate for an English Lab puppy. We like that it is very sturdy and we really like having a door on each side. We have used it both ways and been happy with the flexibility. What we don’t like is that the latches on the doors don’t line up well so on one door we have to push the door down to get it open and the other door has to be pulled up a bit. This has not been an issue on the Midwest Exercise pen we bought to accompany the crate (which has the same style latch), so it could be the specific crate. While it was convenient to have the divider, in order to use the side door and the divider we had to use zip-ties to get it securely attached. Another thing we do not like about this crate is that even with a bed in the crate (also Midwest brand) there is too much of a gap at the bottom and it’s too easy for him to loose his Nyla Bone or Antler out the sides. Taller sides to the tray would have prevented this trouble. As far as sizing, now, at 16 weeks and 25 pounds we have just removed the divider entirely since he has never had an accident in the crate and hasn’t had an accident in the playpen since ten weeks and his preferred sleeping position is with his legs splayed out laying on his back. This stretches him the full length of the crate. However, curled up he only takes up 1/3 of the space. I’m uncertain how we will feel about it’s size when he is a year old and almost full grown but will still need his crate at times. Upon assembling the crate, one of the handles snapped and Midwest was very easy to deal with and promptly shipped us a replacement handle. Overall, I’m pleased with the purchase since I like the price and two door construction and don’t see any better potential choices but I feel the product itself could be improved. I would give 5 star for features and apparent durability, 5 star for company customer service but only 2-3 stars for design execution.
2 people found this helpful
Tombstone Luke –
These are great crates. I have a lot of dogs. In the day time several of them are in outdoor kennels. At night, I want them in the house, so they are protected from the cold and the abundant wildlife where I live and I can give each the personal attention they deserve. Unfortunately for me, some of the dogs don’t get along with others, so they need to be segregated for the safety of the smaller ones.The biggest plus is that these crates have two doors. One on the end and one on the side. Much better than a single door as I can arrange the crate where it fits best without considering whether or not the door will be in the right place. With two doors, there is no wrong orientation. I have an 85 pound bully breed in one, and it goes down from there, all the way to a four pound MinPin in another. The little one has an enclosed pet shelter, her food and water and a puppy pad inside. So, these crates are the perfect size for my dogs. Well made, well designed and very well prices. That’s a home run in my book. And they have matching pet beds to fit.
One person found this helpful
Bonnie Bonnie –
We bought our first Midwest 36 inch crate in 2020 & it’s measurements were 36X24X27 inches. We bought this second one and it’s measurements are 36X22.84X24.81 inches. Why are they cutting down the measurements? It may not sound like a big difference but the description on Amazon states 36X24X27! Seems to me someone can’t read measurements.
2 people found this helpful
q-tip –
I have ordered many dog crate pens and this has been the best one and you cannot beat the cost. I ordered another right away for my daughters dog as soon as I got this and saw how good quality is was. It is made well and feels solid. It folds up very easy and also has handles you can put on it very easily and then take off after you are done carrying it. It also has very small rollers on the bottom of the cage so it will not scratch your floor and it is rubber to hold it in place from sliding around. It also has a divider you can put in it so make it smaller to contain you dog as you potty train it. I don’t use the divider but you have it just in case you need it.
Remysmom –
I have four dogs, this thing is massive for my husky and pitbull. They can go in together and still have a ton of room. They can be destructive when left put when we leave for errands, so in they go and they stay safe and my things stay safe. Love this crate so much. It is massive. But we wanted the huge one. I cannot speak to it’s capability to stand up to a destructive I need out type of dog because mine are both crate trained, the husky associates the crate with food and sleep since a puppy, the pitbull is just super chill, so if you have a super anxious dog, not sure how well it would stand up.
Mar ReMar Re –
Bought this crate for a 7 month old lab/boxer mix dog. The dog was crated for 2 1/2 hours. Upon arriving home, we found the dog had destroyed the plastic tray. The metal crate itself has very thick wire. Very strong! It’s not like some flimsy cages that the wire can bend easily. We had to find a steel pan to replace the plastic tray. All crates should have steel trays. We had to fish out $70 for a steel tray!
3 people found this helpful
ms shopper –
love this! we have coyotes in our area, so it was problematic letting our litle 10 lb dog use the doggy door to the outside to do her business. however, we are away from home enough that potty issues arose. however, we decided to attach this to the outside of the doggy door and let it become her toilet. the coyotes can’t get to her, and even if attacked, she could run right into the house quickly thru the door.some strategic thinking was required: we took off the door at the end of the cage creating the ingress and egress to the doggy door. at the opposite end of the cage we placed a simple planter pot and filled it with gravel. it provides the stability for the cage not to move just in case a coyote does decide to jump on the cage and try to get my dog. the cage is sandwiched very effectively between the door and the planter.we use 2 doggy doo pads (from costco) at the bottom and put a slice of fake grass from home depot on top. there wasn’t even a need to drill holes in the fake grass as the pee seeps thru to the pads. we simply open the side door to retrieve the poop on top of the grass and to change the pads every couple of days.if you are concerned about rain or extreme sun issues (we were), then buy a tarp at home depot with reflective coating on one side. cut it to size. we also bought an inexpensive grommet kit at home depot. cut a few holes, attached bungee cord clips, and had covering for cage. we did leave the opposite end (where the planter pot is) open so that there would be better air circulation. otherwise, it could get really stinky quickly. again, easy to remove the bungee cord clips to clean out the cage.the whole thing cost us less than $100 – and brought us a lot of peace of mind in terms of our dog’s safety. you don’t even have to be particularly “handy” to do all of this – i sure am not – took a bit planning and time to execute an easy workable solution to outsmart the coyotes and deal with too much sun and/or rain.keep in mind this works great for a little dog – you could probably accommodate a dog about 15 lbs or the size of a terrier, bichon, toy poodle, etc. but this size cage would be too small for a bigger dog. of course you could just order a bigger cage!
Jack B. –
We originally planned to return two crates because of latch problems. Amazon and seller promptly shipped replacements. We have decided to keep the original two crates even though there is a minor problem with latch alignment because the crates are very high quality and we can work around the alignment problem. We are also going to keep the replacements because we appreciate Amazon and the seller and can use these crates eventually. The crates are extremely well made and our Pomeranians are very happy with them. So are we.
One person found this helpful
MaxDad –
We just got our 3rd dog. We had two of these crates already, so I ordered a third of the same model number/size so we would have three matching crates. The new one came and it is a completely different crate – about 3 inches shorter and about 2 inches smaller in length and width.It’s still a good crate, so will be keeping it.. but buyer beware if you are looking to match one you already have.
Swanngrinder –
The crate itself is fine and made well, but the dimensions are weird for a 36 inch crate in that it is a couple inches taller and an inch wider. Means a lot of accessories made for standard 36 inch crates won’t fit it. For example I had to order a steel replacement bottom, as my dog destroyed two of the plastic ones and they are all made for the slightly narrower 36 inch crate size. If you want a pre fit cover, they likely won’t be long enough to touch the floor.Again the crate itself is made fine, but it’s not a “36 inch crate” but the seemingly normal definitions laid out by the competitors
Love Amazon –
I use this for my crazy 11 month old German Shepherd. He outgrew the the large size that I had for my Golden Retriever. He likes to chew things when you turn your back on him. He is getting better but I will continue to use it when I leave the house and at night until he becomes completely trustworthy. It is strong and well made and I am very happy I bought it. Definitely worth the price. He would chew up a lot more than this crate cost. Crates also make housebreaking much easier. I feed him in it and and he runs into it when he knows I am preparing his food.
FatOrangeTabby –
I purchased the Life Stages version on this crate in the 42 inch size for our new chocolate lab puppy. After I purchased it I realized that there were two versions of basically the same crate, with the iCrate being a bit less expensive. So what is the difference?Life Stages is heavierThe bars on the Life Stages crates are closer togetherThe Life Stages crates are a little more heavy-dutyiCrate may be a bit narrower than Life Stages in some sizesiCrate is less expensiveThat’s about it.I got the double door version and I am very happy. We have owned several sizes of Midwest crates over the years, and all of them were fantastic. We have had the folding styles and the drop pin style, which may be discontinued now. I prefer the folding for ease of storage and mobility.The divider panels are handy for puppy training. Our Lab may be small now, but she will fill out the crate before I know it! I really does make housebreaking a snap, and our old Lab used to prefer to rest in her crate during the evenings after we were home. They really do come to think of the crate as a “house” if you use it properly.
Larrikateven –
Product arrived packaged flat. Theoretically, it should have been easy to just unfold, get the hooks clipped up, and done. However, the hooks for the front panel were hooked over the back panel, folded against the bottom tray. Could not pull it apart no matter how I tried to position things. In desperation, I finally took a pair of pliers to the hooks and pulled them back. Then I could separate the panels and get things set up.I will say this, though: once it was set up, it looks very nice and seems sturdy. The puppy loves it way more than the much smaller kennel that she had been using. Lots of space to turn around and stretch, even with a nice thick blanket for her to sleep on. We even caught our adult dog sneaking a nap inside the kennel!
docmo2016 –
The plastic pan cracked in numerous places after about seven months of use. There are numerous sharp edges at the ends of many of the wires. You need to be really careful if you’re reaching into it so as not to scratch/cut yourself.
One person found this helpful
John K.John K. –
I ordered the Midwest branded crate cover for this 24 and 30 inch crate and quickly discovered that the Midwest Life Stages crates are non-standard sized crates that are too big for the covers. This means that after a little bit of Amazon searching, I found zero crate covers that fit. The crate itself is great, but the lack of cover options, including from Midwest themselves, is annoying.
One person found this helpful
Lori –
We got this crate for our first dog 6 years ago and have grown to like it. Our only problem is that the bottom rusts and gets on our carpet, so we have to put towels underneath the kennel. We got a new puppy and for that reason bought a different kennel. Had to return because we like the layout of this kennel much better, so we bought this kennel again. Still have to put towels on bottom. Wish that it wouldn’t rust on bottom, but still love the kennel and how easy it is to open the door.Pros:-easy to open-large spaceCons:-rust on bottom
7 people found this helpful
♫ Trouble ♫ –
I was concerned ordering these dog crates online, unseen, but willing to take a chance after looking at the prices in the pet stores – which were roughly twice as much. We have two puppies in our house, border collies, and it seemed like the best way to protect ourselves from damage was to crate them at night. One of our Newfoundland puppies ate the stairway; another ate the hallway floor. Then a border collie ate the couch… It seems like all puppies pick their favorite snack.I’m generally against crates but after experiencing how well they have worked for these puppies, I’m now on the bandwagon. We got the puppies when they were a little less than 8 weeks old, an estimate as they are rescues. They both voluntarily went into their own crates and into each other’s crates. The hardest part was sometimes to get them into separate crates. The first thing the littlest puppy did was close the door on his brother, locking him in. They both drag their favorite toys into their crates and go in them to take naps and to take time outs from small children. At 4 months old, 30 and 36 pounds, they are still perfectly happy with their crates.We started with one crate from our cocker spaniel, purchased a second
iCrate 24-By-18 -By-19-Inch
, and then jumped up to
Midwest Life Stages Double-Door Folding Metal Dog Crate, 36 Inches by 24 Inches by 27 Inches
when we got the idea of how quickly the puppies are growing. There are pieces that you can use to make the crates smaller by about six inches. I used them to make the crates smaller but I’m not sure if it makes much of a difference.These are giant cages though, in my experience! I had them under a counter in the dining room and had to move them into the kitchen so they would have enough room to be side by side. You’ll really want to measure them out. I didn’t have much choice in this size, other than to buy the middle-sized crates and then later buy this size. It seemed like I would have ordered an intermediate sized crate only for them to grow out of them in a few more months.I threw a rug on top of the crates so the dogs have darkened rooms while they are sleeping and the cats can look down at them from above. This has actually turned into one of the cats’ favorite places to sleep. They like to check on the puppies, and then go to sleep above them.Anyway, these are really easy to set up. It’s pretty self-explanatory as you open up the crate. Good thing, because the directions were under the plastic pan, the last thing we pulled out while setting it up. You basically pull it up the long side and then pull up the two ends once you have the rectangle. It kind of unfolds and snaps together. The directions also included a page of dos and don’ts for puppy crate training, which I found interesting. They seemed pretty common sense like.
3 people found this helpful
MamaD –
Whoa, this thing is Giant!!! I have a mastiff mix puppy and wanted something for him to grow into. You could probably squeeze three people in there. He’s a little guy still so we’ll see but I’m guessing full grown a large will fit him perfect. XL size..think great dane, saint bernard, pyrenees, newfie, giant schnauzer, full mastiff.As for the actual cage: seems strong although several of the bars were bent when I opened the box and as others have said the closure latch should have a bend in it to hold it shut, a dog could easily nose open the latch and head to Freedom town. When my guy gets bigger I’ll rig something to act as a latch lock.
2 people found this helpful
fixthepain –
Very strong kennel, works great. I removed the door on the small kennel I bought, and the door on the end of the medium 2 door kennel I also bought and wired the two open doorways together so that the area of the small kennel Could be a potty area and the medium kennel was my yorkies sleeping area. It saved me a ton of money to rig up my own kennel/potty training kennel than buying a popular potty training kennel (+ a potty training video) that was listed for $600. Worked great!
One person found this helpful
GuthrieFamGuthrieFam –
Easy to fold/unfold, seems sturdy, etc. – overall good standard design. The only issue seems to be that one of the doors is placed slightly out of alignment vertically. You have to push down on the door pretty hard in order to be able to latch it – not easy for some and not easy if dog is reluctant. The other door is fine – very easy to latch and unlatch the door. May be able to force the door down and break the paint/coating bond to “fix” this, but not something that should have had to consider.
W. Anthony –
This crate was purchased for a dog we rescued from a group, only to learn that she had heartworms. After our veterinarian treated her, we had to keep her very quiet during her recovery period so that she would not have a possible life threatening complication(s). Though we did have several large kennels, we wanted a crate, so that she would be able to more easily relate to the household while being contained. After reading numerous reviews on Amazon and other sites, we decided on this crate, and are very glad we did. It arrived in perfect condition, and was easily set up in minutes, in an area where the family spends some quiet time. The quality/size of the wire is much better than expected, the double doors make the placement decision(s) very easy, and the bottom tray is very sturdy and easily cleaned. If there is a weakness to the crate in our case, it would be the gate latching system. She figured it out in short order, and a quick trip to the local big box store for a couple of snap rings was all it took to keep her contained. Now that she has completed her recovery period, and is doing very well, we no longer needed the crate in the house. In very few minutes we had it folded away and ready to store, and due to it’s minimal dimensions a perfect spot in the garage was easily found. We had no use at this time for the divider which also came with the crate, however we did install it and found it to be as good in design and quality as the rest of the crate. Yep, we would absolutely buy this again.
renny –
I received my purchase in record time- damaged. NOT Amazon’s fault, as it was a sharp force impact hard enough to pierce the boxing and crack the plastic bottom pan. Amazon arranged pick up of the damaged one for the next day, and the day after that, the replacement arrived. Dealing with Amazon customer service was great; A two minute phone call and done.So far, so good.So I set up the replacement and installed the divider panel- here’s where I’m unhappy with this product. The divider panel does not sit parallel and straight within the crate. When attached to one side of the crate, there is no corresponding parallel point to attach on the other side. One must either move forward 3/4 of an inch, or back an inch and a half. I checked the crate to ensure it was in square, then measured the distance of the vertical wires(That the divider panel attaches to), which is where the problem is. The distance on center between the vertical wires are different on one side than on the other side.This doesn’t impair the function at all, and a dog will never notice, but it’s a sign of inferior manufacturing. In my book sloppy and inferior should cost less.I called Midwest Homes for Pets and explained the problem. I was told it’s normal to have these ‘variances’, due to their manufacturing process.The customer service rep was pretty indifferent, but did manage to apologize. I worked QC in various industries and know a bit about manufacturing processes and ‘variances’ . This is just sloppy. The four frame-plates that house the door latches are welded on crookedly as well- again, not enough to impair function, but visibly so. As I said, sloppy.Am I being needlessly picky? Perhaps. Would you buy a table with a leg 3/4 of an inc longer than the others? A pair of shoes with one sole that much off?When I spend my money, I want my purchase to work- as this will, but also look right- which this does not.I still have a couple of weeks until my pick of the litter will be old enough to leave momma, so I’ll be looking for a different crate- likely a soft side crate- then I’ll disassemble this one and reconfigure it into a temporary ‘playpen’ in a corner until my puppy is fully house trained. When my pet is grown enough to not need the divider, maybe I’ll reassemble it as a permanent crate. Maybe.I would recommend this product only with the caveat that it’s not- in my opinion- particularly well made.
One person found this helpful
Melissa W. –
We bought this to replace a crate we had borrow from a friend for temporary use. This crate is much better quality that what we had. The bars are thick and feel very well made. It came with handles and a piece to split the cage in half. It was not too hard to assemble just awkward due to the size. I have not tried to fold it back up but it should be simple.
8 people found this helpful
Katherine –
This is a great crate from Midwest. However, it is not 36x24x27. It is 37.375×25.5×26.375. I NEED A CRATE THAT IS 27″ HIGH. THIS IS THE SECOND CRATE I HAVE ORDERED FROM AMAZON THAT IS NOT THE 27″ that I thought was standard. Ugh.
3 people found this helpful
TLL –
Bought this for my 12 yr old dog who recently started going potty when ever and where ever she wants. Only solution, get a kennel. I was pleasantly surprised how good this one is. Very easy to set up. My dog and cats sleep in it. Recently went to visit my son out of state, was relieved on how easy this was to transport. The only thing I did was when folded up, I used heavy duty velcro straps to secure it closed. I didn’t feel confident with the clips that come attached, so I removed them as they get in the way.
One person found this helpful
Cori C.Cori C. –
We needed a kennel for our 65 lb Goldendoodle so we don’t have to worry about her when we aren’t home. The large MidWest Life Stages crate is just what we needed. It is sturdy and plenty big for her to stand up or stretch out. (Our 10 year old son even tried it out and said he’d be comfortable to nap in it.) Out of an abundance of caution (and because we don’t intend to travel with it) we used black zip ties to secure the panels and (because we already know from past experiences that our girl is smart enough to open just about anything) we use caribiners as extra security when we lock the door. These extra measures are probably not necessary for every dog but we know our dog and she can escape most anything when she wants to – we wanted to ensure her safety and our peace of mind. Now when we are not home we know she is safe and happy in her kennel. We leave the door open when we are home and within just a few days it had become her preferred place to nap and just hang out.
V. JohnsonV. Johnson –
After reading several reviews, I wasn’t sure about purchasing this kennel. However, it has worked out perfectly for our needs. The cage was fairly easy to assemble. The bottom slides out easily so I can clean up litter from the crates floor. Our kitten, Onyx, climbs up the sides, even the sides with doors and everything stays intact. It may not be appropriate for a large or medium size dog but it works four our kitten.I adopted a 4 month old kitten but needed to keep her separate from our 17 year old cat until my older cat would be more accepting of her. When we let the kitty out to play the older cat was downstairs. At this point the older cat tolerates the kitty but I still cage her at night.
3 people found this helpful
cadencecadence –
I really like this crate, everything about it seems pretty sturdy – the wires, the tray, and even the handles. I’ll be getting an Australian shepherd puppy so the divider that comes with the crate is perfect for expanding the size as the puppy grows, and once it’s fully grown the 36” crate will still be big enough. It’s extremely easy to assemble, it literally takes about 20 seconds to get everything set up once you get it out of the box. It is a little difficult to put in the divider at first since not all of the hooks actually latch into place, but it’s still sturdy enough that it won’t budge if you get most of the hooks latched on to the crate. A few of the wires were a little warped (see attached photos) but it shouldn’t be a problem so long as my dog isn’t hulk. Overall I’m very satisfied with the crate for now (we’ll see how it holds up when there’s a dog in it).
cowpoke –
I really like the Life Stages dog crates. My 85 pound lab has the really large one and it’s been great. I recently got a puppy that should reach about 55 pounds. Originally, we bought a crate on groupon that was a size smaller than this one and a different brand. It was REALLY flimsy and one of the bars on the top was already broken and came off the frame. I did not trust it so we sent it back. I then looked for the one of the life stages crates. This one is bigger than the one I got on groupon and was only $10.00 more. Once again, I am not dissapointed. The size is perfect and the divider works great. I also REALLY love the double door. Since we’re using the divider right now, I can’t use the door on the long side because the divider is hooked onto it but it will be very handy in the future. Quality and sturdy construction. My one “complaint” is that the door on the shorter side was a little misaligned so the bottom “lock” doesnt’ quite fit. I have to push down on the door to get it to go. However, now that it’s been used and isn’t so stiff it’s much better. I will never buy a different brand of crate again. The one I have for my older dog I bought used and someone I used to live with cut the hinges off the top so it’s held together with zip ties (which works!). I’ll be buying a new one and it will still be this brand. You can also buy replacement trays for the bottom and they are reasonably priced. Not that I think you need one but the used crate I bought had a cracked bottome tray so I purchased a replacement. That was 3 years ago and it’s held up since. The tray slides out also which was REALLY hand for when my dog had accidents as a puppy. I could just slide the tray and take it to the bathtub. I really love this crate and recommend it to everyone.
MotorcycleMan –
This crate is exactly what I needed for my 9-month old Husky. He, like pretty much any Husky, gets incredibly anxious if he’s all alone in the house and left to run around, and I can’t afford to replace everything I own after it’s been chewed on. It’s plenty roomy for him (he’s about 55 lbs), and after I placed a cover over it (removes the ability to use the side door, but still worth it) he really began to like the kennel. He frequently goes and hangs out there on his own when he gets worn out.As for the kennel itself, it is really easy to fold up and take with you. It fully collapses flat, including the tray on the inside. The tray fully contains any spills or accidents inside the kennel pretty well, and is really easy to clean. Pretty much just spray with an all-purpose cleaner and wipe it down. It has a little bit of slide around room, but not to a bad extent. All the walls of the kennel are very sturdy, and the doors and hinges are well made (not too complicated, not cheaply made either). There are also very limited spots where the kennel has sharp points (I’ve scraped my head/back on the tops of them before reaching in to get toys), but I would still be cautious. Overall, this kennel is a great buy, and a must have for anyone that lives in an apartment or has a dog (50+ lbs) that needs kennel training!
Peter L. –
This is my 2nd Midwest Life Stages Double Door Folding Dog Crate. My previous one – was the smaller version of this one. I was debating between assigning this a 4 or 5 star rating. The only thing that I experienced that made me give this a 4-star rating was that one of the doors is difficult to latch. It seems the very end of the wire/latch has some extra metal material – almost like a ‘burr’. That, and the fact that the latch doesn’t line-up perfectly with the part that actually secures the door, makes closing the door a bit difficult. I haven’t taken the time to file off the burr, which will help, but it will also remove the paint and expose the metal, which could leave it unprotected to rusting.I just think the Quality Control folks missed this one before this was packed up in the box.Other than that, it’s very quick and easy to set-up and fold-up – maybe 30 seconds! It is fairly compact when it has to be stored away, or in the vehicle for transport. I would definitely recommend this to any dog owner.Don’t forget to give your dog/puppy treats every time you have to leave them, so they don’t look at the crate as a punishment….and don’t use it as a punishment either. If possible leave the door open when you’re home so that the dog / puppy can use it whenever they want to lay down…which will help them get use to it.
Alter_Ego –
Mine came a little warped. The kennel goes together well, but some of it is twisted in such a way that putting it together was a pain. It took my boyfriend and I pulling in opposite directions to get the kennel walls to bend back into position so they could fit together. Based on this, I have a feeling I won’t be able to take it apart to fold when the time comes. I’ll have to get a different kennel for travel.
W. Sparrow –
Ordered this crate to replace some older ones. The pan is relatively sturdy and doesn’t make a lot of noise when the dog moves. Wire is strong and the crate folds and sets up easily. The two doors provides options for placement of the crate, whether in the house or in a vehicle.I really like it except for two minor issues. One is that the metal ‘clasp’ meant to hold the panels together when you fold it up sticks out. I kept stepping on it. If I pushed it inside the crate, it poked the dog. The clasp sticking out also made it so you couldn’t put another crate flush next to it. Eventually we pried the clasp off – the bummer being when I do have to fold it up it won’t be there to hold it together. I’ve had other folding crate in the past where the clasp was not an issue.The other issue is that the little sliding bars on one door don’t line up perfectly, so I often have to jiggle and push to get it to slide into place.I would still recommend this crate as an affordable, quality item.
10 people found this helpful
Jennifer Diane –
When I was first starting to look into getting a dog, I read a lot about crate training and decided that was the way I wanted to go, and decided (based largely on its reviews) to go with this one. It was easy to assemble, though putting in the puppy wall insert was a little difficult, and using it at times made using one door or another impossible. Not a big deal. The crate seems to have held up well. My dog has never (as far as I have witnessed) gone through any extraordinary lengths to get out–chewing, thrashing, etc.–and I haven’t noticed much wear and tear in the seven months we’ve been using it. The slide out tray definitely came in handy while she was potty training (and while I was figuring out just how long I could leave her alone while I was at work without her having an accident) and is pretty easy to clean. However, it is a little irritating how often the tray ends up poking out because it’s slid a bit, but I think any clamp system would be icky to deal with if there were a mess, so I’m not sure how this problem would be solved. I have only ever really used the door on the longer side, but I like to know that I have both options available depending on where I live or what room I want to put it in. Overall, I would definitely recommend this crate to others!A couple of tips, for people new to crate training: 1) After the first time my dog messed in her crate (I should mention that the couple of the times this happened, it was as a result of me getting home late from work. Crate training was very effective potty training for her), she didn’t want to go back in her crate and I realized that the tray wasn’t fully clean. I had simply hosed it off in the yard, and that didn’t quite get everything out. The tray is textured and kind of grabs onto little stuff. So I recommend going back over it with some paper towels or a sponge and some Nature’s Miracle. It’s probably kinder to your dog’s nose, too. 2) I give my dog a treat every time she goes in her crate, even now that we’ve been at it for months, and she always goes in her crate on demand, no problem. She associates this little home as a place to get her favorite thing: food!
6 people found this helpful
two jackstwo jacks –
Got this, took it out of box, set it up in about 5 minutes. Put dog bed in and she got right in it, no issues. My dog is 65 pounds and it gives her plenty of room. She was very comfortable, actually slept in it for 2 hours.There are rollers on the bottom to make it easier to move along the floor. But one of them came off when I was moving it, could have been loosened in the box, as it does not look damaged. I will check it tomorrow when she gets out of cage.NOTE: There are some others that are cheaper but the wire on them is not strong enough for the bigger dogs. This cage is solid and will hold her perfectly. Spend the few extra dollars, it’s worth it in the end.
Statler And Waldorf –
My dog has been living in a borrowed kennel much like this one … not exactly the same but very similar. Similar enough to often be confused with one another but definitely not the same. Kind of like Thor and Conan … both are hulky big guys with flowing hair but one wielded a crazy big sword and the other was a fugitive alien from another galaxy who had a cool hammer … but both were definitely big, semi shirtless guys with long hair … you might say the level of confusion and similarity would be that of Mr Limpet and Charlie Tuna.So back to the review … the cage is strong. Strong like bull, and can hold back even the wildest of medium sized domestic beast. Consider its ability like that of a snickers bar turning a crazed Betty White back into Abe Vigoda! My dog goes in to the kennel sad, distraught and when we release the hound he is a happy snappy little puppy!We thought it would be bigger, not much bigger but maybe in the two days that it took the Prime fast free delivery system to get to my house my dog grew … but it is amazing what a difference 2 inches can make! This is two inches all around, so that is actually two cubic inches that are now not available. Don’t get me wrong it will not be like asking the WWE to go from a 12 foot tall cage to just using the top ropes but it is a noticeable difference, to my dog.I would recommend this for small to medium dogs, over sized ferrets maybe a pot bellied pig. This is not recommended for reptiles, fish or other small animals, mammals or vegetable.Fortunately my dog is obedient, and will hopefully soon earn his parole and once again be a free to roam the big house!
3 people found this helpful
mwaz –
Working well for puppy. Came with all necisary parts. Midwest pet Support line was very helpful when I had trouble putting in devider panel. It takes a little elbow grease to manhandle it in.The double door crate is wider than single door so devider panel seemed too narrow but it’s not. Start with the devider panel attached to side-door side. Then pull the other side inside hard while you push the devider panel towards it. Pull and push hard; it should be a very tight fit. There should be a gap on top and bottom of panel. With the double door crate, the bottom right of the devider panel has nothing to grab on to. Because under the door the bars are different and don’t quite match the other side. Just make sure you take off your dogs collar every time they’re in there so it doesn’t get caught.
2 people found this helpful
M. Fajardo –
We have had the crate for more than a year now and it has been great!! It is easy to set up and break down. It stores compactly and is very durable! We have taken it elsewhere at least 5 times during this year and it doesn’t seem worse or wear at all! I am very happy with the quality! We bought a portable “fence”/pen that is manufactured by the same company and they are made to attach together to be able have a playpen area for the dog around the crate. We now have two small dogs (14lbs each) and they both fit in the crate together with plenty of room to spare. Great crate and reasonable price. (Cheaper than at Petsmart.)
7 people found this helpful
TC –
I didn’t want to crate train… it felt wrong to put her in a cage… but we had to for 1 night because the chewing up everything while we slept was getting expensive. To my other surprise she absolutely loves it and goes in it all the time on her own and the chewing stopped all by itself. The crate is very easy to assemble and disassemble when needed. This brand is well made and the description in size was correct. You won’t be disappointed with this purchase.
9 people found this helpful
Joe Osçurö –
Yes folks. I did my homework. I went to all those Petxxx stores and checked their prices then was given a tip that Home Depot also sold them. The did and even had the size I wanted in stock. The price was definitely better than the pet specialty stores, but I still wasn’t satisfied that I had been thorough in my search. Amazon once again had everyone else beat. And Once again I am winner all the way around.Of course its made in China – as are all the other brands. If it wasn’t we wouldn’t want to pay the higher price especially if it was union made. In examining this unit closely it appears to be almost exactly the same as the one at Home Depot, just $20 less in price. And that is a delivered to my home including tax.This unit has two doors which is great as allows flexibility for cleaning and pet entry. It also has a movable divider screen for moving as the puppy grows. It also has plastic rollers on the bottom so the entire thing can be rolled easily across the floor.And the doors have two latches keeping it more secure for those who are extra rambunctious. And if that won’t hold your animal it would easy to unwind a paperclip and use it like a twist tie to secure the latches.If you are looking for a metal crate with above average quality and far below average price then this is for you.
trevor –
This cage is AWESOME!! we bought this for our 35 pound amstaff puppy, which we know she will grow to be a big girl. It comes all together along with a divider to allow her to grow with the cage. You simply just have to form the rectangle shape by snapping in the sides to the top of the cage- so easy!! It was semi difficult to put the divider in by yourself, so be prepared to need a second person to squeeze the sides of the cage in for you. It’s super durable, folds up easily and has wheels! This makes it so easy to move around! They also include 2 handles to attach, but unfortunately while we put the crate together, she stole the handles and decided they were best as chew toys. I have looked at many crates, reading tons of reviews and I couldn’t have picked a better cage! The price is a steal compared to the stores. highly highly recommend! I do wish that the locks on the front were curved once latched, but unless your dog is going crazy in the crate, I don’t see that being any issue at all!
2 people found this helpful
Neal H. –
first off, the only bad thing I have to say about this product is that the doors are a little tight on their hinges. after a few uses, the loosen up a little bit and I don’t even notice it now.we purchased this crate for our pup that came from a rescue shelter. We were informed that the dog would probably grow to around 60 pounds so we wanted to only have to buy one crate that would serve him well from puppy to adult.One thing that we really like about this particular crate is that it came with a divider wall/gate to adjust the crate size as our dog grows. since our dog is still a pup, the crate in its full glory is too big for his crate training. With the wall installed and properly adjusted the crate only leaves enough room for his little bed and doesn’t allow for him to relieve himself in the opposite corner from his bed whenever he wants. it is also fully adjustable so you can make his sleeping area the perfect size for his state of growth. With the wall, it forces him to hold it until we take him outside because dogs do not want to “mess” where they sleep. with this feature and a strict schedule, we have never had an accident in the crate with our 12 week old pup. after a week, we had him almost completely house trained! I think we owe a large part of that success to the fact that he actually needs to use the bathroom when we take him out of his crate and he has learned that poo and pee are outside tasks. The adjustable wall/gate feature combined with the overall price was enough incentive for us to buy it. The other crates we looked at in the big pet store ran twice the price, didn’t include the divider wall and only came with one door. That leads me to the other feature that we really like:it has two doors on it. This allows for us to have versatility in placement options for our home. We can turn it sideways and fit it under the built in desk in our kitchen and he is out of the way and still safe and comfortable. although two doors is not an absolute must have, it is still nice to have the option available for convenience. About the doors, it is a nice touch that the doors both have a lower and an upper latch. That makes it twice as hard for the little escape artist to get out when no one is looking. (fyi- he hasn’t been able to break out yet in spite of his best efforts)another nice touch is that the crate comes with a plastic tray that lines the bottom in case there is an accident. this tray is removable without dissembling any part of the crate and looks to be easily washable although I have not had to wash it yet (knock on wood)another plus is that it arrived almost completely assembled. the only “assembly” was snapping the carry handles onto it. it only took me two minutes to set it up and i didn’t even have to read the instructions. I literally unfolded the top, lifted the roof with one hand and folded the end cap pieces up and snapped them into place on the roof ends. super easy to use. and it folds small enough to lay flat in the trunk of our older Nissan Altima. it folds into a 2’x3’x4″ rectangle for travel. We are happy that we will be able to take it with us when we go out of town to visit family and not loose a lot of luggage space in the process.Bottom line, it is a great product at an even better price. I would definitely buy another one if the need presented itself.
KristenKristen –
Fantastic crate! I purchased the 42″ for my Lab-mix pup. For anyone else like me who isn’t able to accurately picture sizes, even when listed, I’ve posted a pic. The crate is GIANT. However, he sits up tall, and was hitting his head on the top of his 36″ crate. Also, the LifeStages comes with a divider, so if we were still housebreaking him we’d use that to make it smaller. It’s very durable, although would need zip-tie reinforcement for any dogs who try to escape. Fortunately, our pup loves his crate! It also has thicker gauge wire than the iCrate by Midwest. Currently, the 42″ does not have Prime shipping (and the price raised), but it was when I purchased it. If that’s the case with you, try waiting a few days and checking again!We decided take an Ikea tabletop with these legs (http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/30264301/), and put barstools at either end to use as a kitchen table! It made a great use of the wasted space in our small home, and was much easier than building a table to fit on top of it.
85 people found this helpful
Robert Lavala –
I know this is going to sound strange, we bought this for our cat! We have two cats and one of them started spraying in different parts of the house. He is fixed and is over 9-years old and all of the sudden, he started spraying. We bought this so that when he comes in from outside he gets put in the kennel. Within one week he understood that he was done being able to go all around the house and that the open kennel door meant, “Go in there and nap!”The kennel is big enough for a small catbox, a tray of water, a tray of food, and a small pillow. Anything smaller and I think he would have felt confined. This way, he can eat, drink, use the box, and then nap with plenty of room to stretch out. Perfect solution! Thank you, MidWest!
Leap Outdoors –
This kennel is perfect. It’s high quality and easy to fold up. We use this kennel daily for 80# lab who fits in this great. He can sit in it without crouching and this will last a good 10 years. The double door is great for different situations like having it along side a bed or access it from multiple side in the living room. I also like the double latch because he cannot fit his paw in the bottom or top corner like some less quality kennels. A must-have for training a new dog.
Mark M. –
Very pleased with this brand. The 36” is good for up to 50 lb dog (pit) or up to 60 lbs depending on the height and length of dog . This is my second purchase of this brand. I use indoors. They hold up ok outdoors but do rust after a few years in climates like Houston, TX. I was thinking you could potty train some by taking the puppy divider and cutting out some of the grid to make it passable so that you could train the pup to potty in the “indoor bathroom” of this cage. Haven’t tried. Just an idea. The positioning of the doors would need to be considered and you’d want to polish those cuts in the grid so they don’t scratch him.
7 people found this helpful
thecatsfan –
WE have been ecstatic with this kennel. The dual door design with the internal separator is extremely convenient. We ordered this the day we brought home our 8 week old lab puppy. She had to sleep with us for 2 nights until it arrived. We had picked her up 2 days early so were not prepared. This kennel came on Friday evening and I had it setup and ready to use in 10 minutes. The folding design is quite simply to fold out for use and fold down for moving. We bought the big 42″ size so our puppy could grow into it and that was a smart thing to do. She is now 6 months old and we have completely removed the divider. It was so easy to move the divider as she grew to maintain an appropriate size for her without so much room that she would want to go to the other end and soil the kennel. She loves her kennel and it has been flawless so far. The liner shows no signs of wear. The doors are easy to use but secure. It would be a rather large kennel to take in a car, even an SUV, so I don’t think I would use it for that But as a home kennel, it has been absolutely perfect for us.
One person found this helpful
Debra Bensema –
Instructions made it look easier to opdn/ unfold than it was. A large open area of floor space was needed to first unfold and lay flat before pulling up to “open”. Since I only had a small area of floor space in which to open the kennel, I had to take it outside, erect then pull back inside. It did work well for housing semi feral 10 month-old kitten and supplies needed, bed, litter box, etc., during her introduction into the house.
Sarah E Wonderly –
This is a very nice, sturdy crate. The second door is a great addition. We didn’t purchase this for potty training, and haven’t used the divider, so I can’t review that. The doors have two latches each, and both seem very sturdy and not flimsy at all. This can be a learning curve to set up, you will get a pinched finger, but it is a nice sturdy crate when it is set up. It folds down flat also, and has a carrying handle to attach as well. It is heavy, but that is because it is very well made and heavy duty. We bought the 48″ because our dog is a large boxer/hound, and we wanted him to have plenty of room, and he does. This is plenty big enough for him.
sharon –
We waited many years to finally purchase a crate for our dog. She was making messes in the house and we had no other options left. She loves the crate and WE love the crate. It has changed our lives.The crate is very sturdy, and plenty of room for her and her soft bed. We also purchased metal dishes to attach to the side bars. They are great, as well. Always know where her dishes are, and not stepping in them and leaving water on the floor.Good stuff. I highly recommend.
JCM –
This kennel is sturdier that most I’ve used. The metal seems to be a heavier gauge which is nice for larger dogs. It comes with a divider to use to narrow down the space for potty training if desired. This is also a little taller than most the size large kennels. If you have a dog that is a little taller in a sitting position this really makes a difference to make sure they can sit comfortably. It’s heavier in weight than some of the other large wire kennels. Comes with handles and having the two door (side & end) options is nice. Allows more flexibility on where you locate it and your dogs ability to access. Excellent.
One person found this helpful
Antoine –
Dude, I should have looked at the dimensions and not the picture!! I bought this crate after my 60lb. pit mix chewed up one too many of my things. The photo shows a German Shepherd looking what I think is a little cramped, so I thought it would be perfect for my dog. I can easily fit three of him in this crate!! Seriously, it you don’t own a Great Dane or a Mastiff, you don’t need an XL crate. That being said, my dog likes the crate (he often goes in there even when I don’t ask him to), and it is well made, and I think a good value. I highly recommend this crate, but check the dimensions!!
CPalacios –
Part of this review is for the customer service I received from the manufacturer, Midwest homes for pets. I contacted them after I received my crate which I bought here on amazon. The side door (door on long side of the crate) was broken and would not stay on while not latched shut. I simply had to send them some photos of my amazon order, the and the damage itself. They then immediately sent me an entirely new crate which is in perfect working order and very good quality.I purchased the large (42”) crate for my vizsla puppy to grow into. We don’t use the divider it comes with, but he has no problem spending all night, and for a few hours while we are out, in his crate without accidents. The main reason we don’t use the divider is because with the way the crate is positioned in our house, we basically have to use the side door. And if we were to install the divider, it would only partition off a maximum of about 8-10” from the length of the crate (while still being able to use the side door). Plus, you have to remove the divider anyway to be able to fold up the crate (eg for taking it with you when you travel). So it’s just not worth it in my opinion.For that reason, if you really want to use the divider, I’d recommend to just get the single door model. Unless you’re willing to not be able to use the side door until your pup is basically grown into the crate.
One person found this helpful
tkruns –
I bought this crate 1 year ago and it has been great. It has been moved around several times and the one of the folding latches broke and one the feet fell off, both minor issues and no big deal. I called Midwest this morning to get replacement parts for it, and without hesitation they replaced the clips and the rubber feet under warranty. The CSR didn’t need to see the receipt or pictures, she just sent me the replacement parts. I also told her the dog chewed the corner of the tray, which isn’t Midwest’s fault, she even sent me a courtesy replacement for that. Over all the crate is great, and we put it through a lot of abuse, But the customer service is even better!!!
steve –
got this for our 5 month old german shepherd. she is growing rapidly. so much more room with the 48″ and she can stand up straight with room to spare. I got the largest one at 48″ to be safe since we don’t know how much she will grow. very happy with the build and size. we keep it in the living room with us so she can hangout when she has rest time. the tray was a little cracked when we received it. I put duct tape on the bottom of the tray and it’s fine. I didn’t want to go through the return process. this cage is very heavy so I didn’t feel like breaking it down again for return.
2 people found this helpful
Teri –
I love that I was able to get this for the price I did. PLEASE NOTE that Midwest now makes a flimsy version of this crate called “icrate”… It is why there is a price difference for what you THINK is the same crate. They are NOT the same. If you have a medium to large size pup/ dog you’re going to want to make sure that it’s this one. Not only is the metal thicker than the company’s icrate version, but this is so much more sturdy. I like the easy folding of the crate so it can be put away quickly. It also comes with a movable separator so you can have the crate small for when they’re babies and have the ability to make it larger while they grow and become potty trained. Also, the bed which is separate, fits fine under the separator.
SteveSteve –
I originally had a larger 42″ crate but it was so much larger than her and it was so difficult to transport whenever we went on trips. So I downgraded to this 36″ crate since it was slightly taller than other 36″ crates I had looked at. So far she loves it. She’ll go in there during the day to sleep and fits comfortably.
One person found this helpful
james s. –
I have XL Dogs. For the price this is a good crate. Those of you who are familiar with central metal crates, you will be disappointed. The weight of the bars is not heavy duty. And the method of securing the sides is not ideal. You must push them behind a latch in order to latch them. I use these crates for holding my dogs ringside at dog shows. If I were to use them daily, they may not hold up with day-to-day use. I am satisfied with these crates for the purpose I use them. They are light in weight, secure easily for transport, and are easily to set up.
3 people found this helpful
Richard S –
We got this crate in large for our Great Pyrenees puppy (rescue adoption at 7 months) – to start crate training. It’s a solid crate, like so many others out there, although the wire on this MidWest crate is slightly thicker than on some other brands we’ve used in the past. Our Bernese still uses hers, so we needed a second one. It folds flat and is good, but it’s heavy too (thick wire and large size). The door has 2 latches on it, and they are a little tricky to operate since the door doesn’t quite close tightly enough to allow the latch to slide over smoothly, but other than that (and the reason fro removing 1 star), this is a solid crate and I expect it to hold up for years.
Shata –
Lets just say if you want quick review, Just buy it.The item arrived with prime on time like always, the product setup was simple…cant get really anymore easy then unfolding it. Our mini pincher walked up to it sniffed it and went inside walked around inside and imediately came to me for lovings. All he needs is hand guiding into his dog prison and he is relatively happy…As happy as you can be being in cage atleast. He can turn around and fully lay down. I work alot and he just cant behave when we are gone so I really didnt want to do this but it had to be done.Needless to say he really doesnt mind and im happy cause he is contained from being little trouble maker.