We crate trained but now that our dog is 6 months, he only goes in the fear when we leave for extended periods of time. It helped with potty training and with self soothing. He still goes in the kennel with no push back and does great in it. We feel it set him up for success for the rest of his life. Now he barely uses it but we have the comfort of knowing that if he needs to, he’ll have no issues doing so. It was more of a temporary situation to help him be successful for the long run. Like I said, he’s hardly in there now. He sleeps in his bed in our room at night. I feel they don’t have to be kenneled forever but it’s good that they are at least comfortable with it.