How to Kennel Train a Puppy

Kennel training is a worthwhile for your new puppy. By taking advantage of a dog's "den instinct," you create a space the puppy regards as his own. Puppies learn from their mothers not to soil their sleeping area or den. Your pet learns eventually, to go to the kennel on his own. In addition to reducing the effort on your housebreaking, the kennel is a playpen for the puppy--a safe place for your pet when you are not available. Read on to learn how to kennel train a puppy.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Purchase a kennel for the dog's full adult height. Choose a crate with a movable wall. This partition can be positioned to decrease the floor space by up to half. Talk to the breeder or a knowledgeable salesperson at the pet store.

2. Start kennel training immediately. Introduce the puppy to the kennel several times for a minute or two on the first day he's in your home.

3. Create a cozy space by adding a small blanket or towel to the kennel. Include a small, puppy-safe toy. The first few nights away from his litter mates are traumatic for a puppy.

4. Associate a command with the kennel. Every time you put the dog in the kennel say "den," "kennel" or "crate." Early in training, entice the puppy with a small treat. Eventually the dog will go to the kennel upon command.

5. Limit time in the kennel to two or three hours at the most. A small puppy needs to be taken outside frequently and cannot be expected go unattended for more than a few hours.

6. Be consistent. Set rules and stick to them without variation. Like a child, a puppy will quickly learn your tolerance level and what buttons to push.

7. Expect an accident or two. When the puppy has an accident in the kennel, gently remove him and rinse him off in a sink or tub. Then use a very mild shampoo where necessary, rinse and wrap the puppy in a towel until he's dry.

8. Once you are confident that your pet is housebroken and trustworthy, let him sleep in your room at night. He may opt to spend the night in his kennel with the door open.

Tips & Warnings

• The kennel is foreign at first. The puppy may be confused, upset or just too young to understand that the kennel is "his." Don't shout or punish a puppy for an accident. She's a baby. Older dog's might have accidents too, which could be a sign of a health issue.
• If you don't have the time to spend training a puppy, consider adopting a more mature dog that's kennel trained and housebroken.
• As tempting as it is to let that adorable fur ball sleep in your bed "just for the first night," don't.
• Don't start your puppy off with access to the full floor space of an adult dog kennel. The puppy will claim the front area of the crate and soil the rear area.
• Always remove your pets collar before putting him in the kennel.
• Don't kennel the dog for long periods of time when you're at home. If you cannot tend to the dog every two or three hours, ask a friend to help out or hire a dog-walking service.

Resources

• American Kennel Club Website
• More Tips on Kennel Training
• Going to the Dogs Website