[moviefan8]

My dad puts one of his dogs in a kennel/cage at night. So the dog being in the kennel makes sense.

[CivilWarBrewing]

I think the dog in a cage in a closet is an overnight routine for the Hackmans, possibly due to the dog peeing in the house at night. Possible indicator one or both of them passed away prior to them being able to release the dog at daybreak.

He found her dead upon waking in the morning then went to get help from maintenance workers then slipped and fell in the process.