Kennel Training a Puppy - Keep Them Secure and Happy
Kennel training a puppy is really important if you plan on keeping them outside. It is very similar to teaching them how to enjoy their crates. One of the main things to remember is that you cannot use kennels as a way to punish your dog. If you do, they will never like to stay in them and when you put them there, it will make them think they did something wrong. The best kennel training methods involve making the area seem like a relaxing and secure place. When you do this, you'll have no problem getting your puppy to stay inside.
Hopefully, you have already chosen the right type of kennel for your dog. The chain link types are very popular, though make sure they they have a waterproof roof. If they don't have that, you might consider putting a tarp of some type on top. You want to be able to leave your dog outside even when it rains, and good kennels will allow you to do this.
Wooden dog kennels are an option as well. People that really care about the way that their yard looks should choose these types. They seem a lot more naturally looking than the chain link dog kennels. They are usually weatherproof as well, so you won't have to worry to much about the elements.
Another option for those that don't want to purchase anything is to make a dog run kennel on the side of their home. Most houses have a long space between the side of the house and the fence, and this can be a great place for a dog to call their own. Just make sure that you put something down on the ground if there is just dirt - you don't want your puppy digging out under the fence!
At any rate, let's get back to kennel training a puppy!
The first thing that you need to do is go inside the kennel yourself and call your puppy toward you. If they follow you in, which they should then you can give them a lot of praise and a small treat. Do this a couple of times each day and they will begin to associate going into their kennel with getting praised and receiving a tasty treat!
Another thing that you can do that works really well with the chain link type dog kennels is tie a toy to the inside. Let your puppy roam around outside with you closely supervising them. They will eventually find the toy themselves and be very proud of their discovery. They'll start to associate the kennel with a fun place to be!
Along those same lines, you should put some toys or treats on the inside of the kennel and close the door. When your puppy notices all the fun stuff inside, they will really want to get in! They will do their best to get in, and you should let them eventually. This will start to make them think that the inside of the kennel is really a place that they want to be!
It is also very important to put your puppy's bed and some blankets inside the kennel. They will go inside when they want to sleep, and this will be their own doing.
Be patient when you are kennel training a puppy. As long as you stay consistent with these methods and never use the kennel or the run as a punishment tool, you will be able to get your dog to enjoy going inside. They will see it as their special place where they can relax and feel secure. That's the goal, and having your dog have that mindset will benefit you quite a bit too!
You won't ever have to worry about your dog digging up your new flowers if you are away at work, and you will never have to worry about them chewing on anything. It is also nice to be able to put your dog in the kennel if you are going to be having a lot of guests over (especially if there will be small children), and you don't want to have to deal with your dog. They won't feel like they are being punished so they won't be confused, and you will not have wasted a lot of money on a nice cage.
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