How to Kennel Train a Dog

This article is for the animal lover. Do you have a new puppy that you would like to introduce to the crate? Most puppies can be crate trained with some patience.
Here are 5 helpful tips to follow for introducing your new one to the kennel.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Crate
• patience
• Toys & treats

1. 1. NEVER push or shove a pet into the kennel or use it as a means of punishment. Coax your pet in with toys or treats and reward your puppy with praise. This step is so important. If the puppy is mistreated and punished it can develop anxiety and never like the crate.

2. 2. DO NOT leave a puppy unattended in the kennel for more than 2-3 hours during the day. Young animals will need to relieve themselves often (approx. every 20-30 minutes). Puppies and dogs do not like to soil their sleeping area or den. They will whine or bark so you can quickly take them outside. In this way, the dog learns to tell you when it needs to go outside and that you approve. My dog does this now and if we feed her late at night sometimes she will wake us up with a whine.

3. 3. PRAISE your puppy after it has gone to the bathroom in the designated spot. I take my dog outside after each crating time. She understands this part of the routine. It helps make it easier for her to understand.

4. Place the kennel in your bedroom at night until the pet feels secure. Use a kennel sized KOMFY QUILT™ for bedding. Placing something in the kennel with your scent will help the pet feel more comfortable and will increase the bonding process. I continue to keep the crate in my bedroom. It makes it very handy. My dog feels safe and secure and she makes for a good watch dog.

5. 5. When possible, leave the kennel door open during the daytime in a restricted area so the dog can go in and out at will. I also leave the kennel open and believe me she checks it out during the day but at night she will go to the end of our bed and look at the crate almost like she knows that she is going in there soon. Dogs are very smart if they have a routine to follow.

Tips & Warnings

• By a kennel or crate that is appropriate for your dog size. The norm is to purchase a crate where the animal can turn around in it. It really doesn't have to be much bigger than that.
• Remember to spade or neuter your animal
• Track all your animals health care information and take it with you to each of your veterinarian visits.
• Water is important to animal health and well being but it is not necessary to offer water to the dog before they are crated. Remember step #2.