With a brand new kennel to keep your puppy safe and secure, you probably need an easy way to get him to stay in there. Dogs usually don’t like being locked away, even if it’s almost always done with their best interest in mind. But teaching them to be okay with it is a different story. Kennel training takes a lot of patience and a few dozen treats but it’s usually a best practice for protecting your dog in many situations.
The Humane Society describes crates and kennels as “a private room with a view,” which makes the idea of having to leave your pooch in there a little easier to bear.
When introducing a dog to a crate or kennel, it’s best to let them figure it out. Lead him to the door of the kennel (where you’ve placed a blanket and a favorite toy to seem more inviting) and place treats inside to urge him to walk in on his own. He’ll probably be hesitant at first and that’s normal. Don’t force him to walk in; just keep prompting and take a few breaks in between. Make him comfortable with simply being in the cage.
Leave a food bowl in the kennel to encourage him to eat meals in there. Place the bowl towards the front of the cage in the beginning and when your dog is comfortable with eating there, continue to push the bowl towards the back with each feeding. Once he is eating fully in the cage with no visible anxiety, close the door, but only until he has finished eating. Each time he eats after that, keep the door closed a little longer.
Begin crating him for short periods of time with you there. Lead your puppy to the cage with treats if he’s still not completely willing to go in. Once he’s inside, close the door but stay right there for a few minutes, then get up and leave the room for a few minutes, come back and sit beside the kennel again, then let him out. Continue to do this, extending the length of time you’re out of the room.
Don’t let him out if he starts to whine. You’ll only be reinforcing whining as a behavior that is rewarding. When you can leave the room for an extended period of time with your dog in the kennel, feel free to run small errands or leave the house for a short time. Keep allowing your pup to stay in the cage while you’re home and when you’re not so he doesn’t associate the kennel with you leaving.
Just make sure to allow him to get comfortable at his own pace. Don’t rush him into it. The experience is likely to be scary the first few times for him but, over time with some patience, you’ll have yourself a kennel trained puppy.
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