Kennel Training for Dogs

Dog kennel training, also called Crate training, is known as an excellent way to house train your puppy or dog. Dog kennel training also has various other uses besides potty training. By putting your puppy inside his kennel when you leave the house for awhile, you will stop your puppy from chewing up anything when you leave him alone in the house. When the kennel training is done properly, the dog will be so comfortable with his kennel, that he will picture the kennel as his den.

The key to dog kennel training is making sure the crate is a comforting place where your dog feels he can safely relax-just like a dog in his den in nature. Be sure you don’t put you dog into his kennel if you have an angry attitude towards him. If you make that mistake, you will be creating a negative type of impression about the kennel. Now he will see the kennel as a “jail” rather than a  secure den. You should avoid confusing your dog in that way. Remember, just like with the other types of obedience training, you should always be consistent if you want good results.

You should go to your local pet store and select a kennel for your puppy before you bring him home. The kennel you pick out should be large enough for your dog to use even after he is full grown.The  kennel needs to be large enough for your full grown pet to stand up, turn around and comfortably lay down in. Naturally, a large breed dog will need a larger crate than a smaller dog. Because the kennel may have more room than a puppy needs to stand, turn around or lay down in, you should partition the kennel during the house training stage. The reason for doing this, is that a puppy will be less likely to soil his crate if the space is restricted. Too much room may encourage the puppy to use a corner of the kennel as a toilet. Dog kennel training for your puppy works to house train him because of a dog’s basic instinct not to soil his own “den”-the kennel. You want to avoid him somehow becoming used to soiling in his kennel.

When just getting started for the first time with the dog kennel training, let your puppy walk into the kennel by himself. A good incentive would be a couple of treats placed just inside the kennel to lure him in for the first time. You want the kennel to be inviting,so also put some chew toys and a puppy blanket inside the kennel. After the puppy has entered his kennel, give him another treat and some praise-you want to let him know it’s a fun place to be.

Let the puppy get used to the kennel and enter and exit a few times prior to shutting the door while he is inside. When you begin the kennel training, only keep the door shut for a short time, so he doesn’t get anxious about it.  If you put his kennel in the room where you are, it will help him feel comfortable instead of lonely-which could cause whining problems. If he is near the family, your puppy will feel like he is  a part of things, even from inside his kennel, and will have less reason to start whining.

You will need to give your young pup a lot of potty breaks outside. For puppies under 2 months or so, you might even take your puppy out every hour or so just to be safe. A rule of thumb of an hour per month of age between the puppy’s toilet breaks is often stated, but make sure to pay attention to your own puppy;s schedule.  Naturally, when your puppy gets a little older he can be left for longer periods of time in the kennel.

Puppies may whine at times while inside their kennels, but you need to ignore it and not make the mistake of letting him out or giving him your sympathy. The reason you should ignore him is to avoid reinforcing the whining and teaching him that whining gets him attention. If the whining isn’t a plea for a potty break, just ignore the puppy-keep track of when your pup’s last potty break was. Before long, you will know how to recognize the different sound of the potty break whine from the “let me out of here” whine.

You will really benefit if you do kennel training with your puppy. Saving your shoes from your puppy’s teeth and saving your carpet from accidents are just 2 of the dog kennel’s advantages.

To find the best guide for house training your puppy easily and quickly, click here.