Should I Put A Blanket Over My Dog's Crate

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My dog goes in her Go Pet Club Soft Dog Crate whenever she is feeling nervous or wants to be alone.
The folding dog crate is ideal for leaving her home alone, trips, or when she needs a place to relax.
Find out more about how Insider Reviews tests and evaluates pet products.

Timid and nervous, my rescue dog Poppy needed a space to feel comfortable in when I got her a year ago, so I bought the Go Pet Club Folding Soft Dog Crate in the medium size. Although Poppy is a small 12-pound corgi mix, I wanted her to have extra space while I left her at home.

My partner and I often refer to this crate as Poppy's "tiny house" or "tent," and it's her favorite place to hide out when there's a storm or when she just wants some alone time. Plus, it folds up for easy transportation when we go on road trips.

Keep scrolling to read the ins and outs of my experience with the Go Pet Club dog crate.

Our review of the Go Pet Club Folding Soft Dog Crate

Poppy is 7 years old with a low-energy, somewhat lazy demeanor. When I first brought her home, she was friendly but nervous and often tried to hide under my bed or somewhere else dark. She seemed to genuinely enjoy burrowing herself into dark spaces, so I decided to get her a crate.

As soon as I put Poppy's bed in the canvas crate, she immediately went in and then spent the afternoon blissfully asleep and content in her dark cave. There are also side panels that can fold up or down on either side of the crate to adjust the lighting.

Like many new dog parents, I felt guilty leaving Poppy alone when I needed to run errands. However, knowing she found comfort in her tiny house made me feel better about leaving her.

The folding dog crate has mesh panels on the sides that can be covered for extra privacy or uncovered to let more light in.

In addition to at-home use, the Go Pet Club crate is perfect for traveling. I bring the crate everywhere we go in case Poppy gets overstimulated and needs quiet time. The crate quickly folds down into a canvas tote bag that easily fits in my Subaru Forester.

Now, one year later, Poppy's favorite spot in our house is her cozy crate. Not only did it help her transition to her new life with me, but it remains a safe place for her when she can't be in my lap or at my feet.

What makes it stand out

I have grown very fond of soft crates since purchasing the Go Pet Club crate. While I understand the usefulness of steel wire crates, I don't like the clunky look or size for Poppy.

I feel better about leaving her in her crate that zips up like a tent. Since she loves spending time in it, I am comforted knowing that she is safe and happy in her cave.

Between the portability and soft structure, it puts both my dog and myself at ease at all times.

The crate fits nicely in the corner of my bedroom.

The cons

The crate doesn't include a dog bed, but it does come with a lightly padded liner that is removable. The removable padding feels like a piece of cardboard with fabric over it, so it's mostly useless. I always keep Poppy's dog bed in the crate and only take everything out if I'm giving her a Kong full of messy peanut butter.

Another downside is that it's not visually appealing, but is any crate for a dog? I keep it in the corner of my room so it isn't a complete eyesore. You could easily throw a blanket over it if you want to hide the big logo on the front.

The bottom line

Being a pet parent can be tough, especially with a pup that has issues like anxiety. Purchasing the Go Pet Club soft crate helped Poppy and I get acquainted and adjust to life with each other.

Poppy spends time relaxing in her dog bed inside of the crate.

Poppy can't get enough of lounging in her tiny house, even more so when she gets spooked by thunder or if she wants to be left alone. Her demeanor instantly changes to relaxed when she crawls into her crate, and I feel good knowing that it can come with us wherever we travel.

Although Poppy is still adjusting and building confidence, adopting her was the best decision I've made. I am thrilled to have found the Go Pet Club Folding Soft Crate to provide her with lasting comfort.

Anna Popp

Home and Kitchen fellow

Anna is the Home and Kitchen fellow on the Insider Reviews team. She recently graduated from Seattle University where she studied journalism and French. Previously, Anna edited and wrote for her university's newspaper and has been published in the Seattle Times. Anna also has experience writing about sewing machines and party decorations. When she's not working, you can find Anna curating her next home decor project or planning themed gatherings with her friends. Learn more about how our team of experts tests and reviews products at Insider here. Learn more about how we research and review home products.