Petmate Navigator Plastic Dog & Cat Kennel

As others have noted, it's not the easiest assembly, but things lined up better when I turned it upside down to work. I thought the slide-in instead of lots of screws would be a bad thing, but for home use this is great. I'm not sure how secure it would be traveling. My 60-lb pit mix accepted it over her smaller one after a few tries, and now is able to stretch out to sleep. She doesn't seem as stiff in the mornings - not all cramped up. I will worry about replacement doors when and if it becomes necessary, and by then the manufacturer may have started offering them. Thanks, Chewy ~ a nice product at a fair price, and good service.

I'm writing this review not to challenge opinions of others but to give my experience with this product. I've looked at quite a few products. I looked at soft sided crates, wire crates and plastic crates. I was originally sold on softsided collapsible crates. Thought it would be easy for us when we camp. I really wasn't too fond of the wire crates because they seemed bulky and clunky. I then read some things and watched videos comparing the 3 types I was looking at. Many said the soft crates weren't good for a puppy (which is what I'm getting) because they loved to chew the zippers and soft mesh material. Too easy to destroy. The wire crates are bulky and just not that visually appealing. The I'm writing this review not to challenge opinions of others but to give my experience with this product. I've looked at quite a few products. I looked at soft sided crates, wire crates and plastic crates. I was originally sold on softsided collapsible crates. Thought it would be easy for us when we camp. I really wasn't too fond of the wire crates because they seemed bulky and clunky. I then read some things and watched videos comparing the 3 types I was looking at. Many said the soft crates weren't good for a puppy (which is what I'm getting) because they loved to chew the zippers and soft mesh material. Too easy to destroy. The wire crates are bulky and just not that visually appealing. The plastic crates were recommended by professional groomers and veterinarians. I decided I'd try a plastic crate based on that. I will be getting a golden retriever when she turns 8 weeks old. I wanted a crate that could fit multiple life stages of the dog. I wanted to find one with a divider. I found the Petmate Navigator. I read pretty much all of the reviews. I was nervous because there were many that said it was hard to assemble and things didn't line up. Some mentioned factory defects even. That nearly steered me from getting one. Because it had the divider, there were some genuine positive reviews and the price was reasonable, I decided to try it. I got the large size. I decided to time myself putting it together. I started the clock just before cutting the zip ties that held the halves together. I was only a few seconds when I put the top half on the bottom and slid the parts together. I thought to myself that it was as easy as their video shows! Then I realized not all of the tabs were actually aligned. I did have to fumble around with it to make things line up. By the time I got things to line up, I had less than 5 minutes into it. Things eventually lined up and the screws fit just fine. Fully assembled, it seems pretty sturdy. I really like the double action door. I like the opening knobs too. Easy to grip and turn. The divider was a bit awkward but I got it installed once I understood the locking tabs. In all I gave it 4 stars because it seems sturdy, has a nice door, has a divider and went together reasonably well. I deducted a star for now because I wish it had a carring handle on top and I've yet to put a puppy in it. We'll see how it holds my golden retriever when I get her. … more

One of the few that comes with a divider for growth. Shipping was good with no damage. The assembly was a snap. Just have it level and eye the 10 fingers that interlock as you begin sliding it slowly together. No issues just took like 10 min for bolts and door in perfect alignment. So many assembly comments I had to post my .02 for this 36 inch unit.

I got this for my dog that figured out how to unlock crates. Safe to say that not only does she like hanging out in this kennel but also can’t or doesn’t want to leave it. Easy to clean and impossible for dogs to unlock.

First I would like to compliment Chewy’s customer service. They very patiently listened to my frustrations with the assembly of this crate and the poor quality. I appreciate the quick replacement and refund. I really wanted to like this crate because I wanted a plastic crate with a divider. I don’t know about the other sizes, but the mediums do not have the slip and snap assembly with the back latches as shown on the website. It is impossible to get the top and bottom to line up to easily slide onto the rails and get the holes aligned to get the bolts to easily go into the designated places. I used a hammer to force them and then the next problem was getting the door to latch properly. It First I would like to compliment Chewy’s customer service. They very patiently listened to my frustrations with the assembly of this crate and the poor quality. I appreciate the quick replacement and refund. I really wanted to like this crate because I wanted a plastic crate with a divider. I don’t know about the other sizes, but the mediums do not have the slip and snap assembly with the back latches as shown on the website. It is impossible to get the top and bottom to line up to easily slide onto the rails and get the holes aligned to get the bolts to easily go into the designated places. I used a hammer to force them and then the next problem was getting the door to latch properly. It just did not fit the opening so it would jam in to close it and the latches would not turn to the completely closed position. I never could get the divider to fit either. After trying two crates I am convinced that this is a manufacturer’s error. I called Petmate because even their website is still showing the video with the easy slip and snap assembly with the latches. I was told that the Navigator was changed 2 years ago, but the video and pictures have not been updated because some stores still have the previous model. Clearly that doesn’t help since Chewy’s inventory has the current model, at least for the medium size. I read that the Compass model has the same problem, so I think I’m done with Petmate crates. I recommend that Chewy look into removing this from the inventory until Petmate can fix their design. Again, I can only speak to this size. Thank you for your service and prompt service and delivery. … more

I felt I had to write a review given some of the bad reviews I read on here. I’m 40 and 5’3. I put the 36 inch crate together by myself within 5 min. This has to be the easiest crate I’ve ever put together including the wire ones (I always pinch my fingers on those). I did not have to force anything or contort as some have described. Read the instructions or watch a YouTube if you don’t understand. But it’s a nice quality crate with a divider which is unique for a plastic crate.

My two miniature dauchunds have always crated together since they were puppies. Now that they are full grown I needed to move up the size to accommodate date them both. They love it and I am happy. Win win

This crate was suppose to line up and fit together. It did not. The bolts were too long and the ends could be pulled through the holes. This was over all a terrible design.

This crate is extremely flimsy and my dog manage to destroy it from the inside out in less than a week. The door mechanism came completely apart and the metal of the door bent with ease. Waste of money!!

This is perfect for what I needed: a kennel to contain one of our dogs in my hatchback. He seems comfortable and happy to go in it. The base is even large enough to put a padded bed.