Kennel Training for Dogs

Dog kennel training, also known as Crate training, is definitely the best way to get started with house training your new puppy or even for potty training an older dog. However, the dog kennel training has additional uses besides house training. For example, if your puppy is inside his kennel, he cannot get at any of your stuff and chew it up. 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. Doing that will create a negative impression within your dog about being put in the kennel. Instead of feeling like a secure den, his kennel will now feel like a jail. Doing that will really confuse your dog about the kennel, and you want to avoid that. For the best results with your obedience training, always be consistent with your training methods.

Select a kennel from your local pet store before you even bring home your new puppy. Pick out a kennel based on your dog’s size at maturity.The  kennel needs to be large enough for your full grown pet to stand up, turn around and comfortably lay down in. The sizes range from small dog size up to much larger sizes for the bigger breeds. 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. If the puppy has too much room in the kennel, he may use one corner as a makeshift potty. Dog kennel training works because dogs hate soiling in their dens, so you use this natural trait to house train your pet. You definitely don’t want him to get used to soiling in his kennel.

Let your puppy walk into the kennel for the first time on his own. 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. Give your puppy some praise and another treat after he enters the kennel.

Let him enter and exit his crate a few times before you close the door with him inside. To avoid the puppy getting nervous inside the kennel on the first session, only close him in for short periods so he can gradually get used to it.  It is a good idea to put his kennel in a room where the family is most active, so he doesn’t feel lonely and start to whine. By being close to you or your family he will be more secure-a part of everything, and he will be less likely to whine.

You will need to give your young pup a lot of potty breaks outside. For puppies only 2 months or even younger, you should be let them for potty breaks frequently, perhaps as often as every hour or so just to be on the safe side. There is a rule of thumb saying that for each month of age, the puppy should have a break-so for a 3 month old puppy not already housebroken, the break should come after no longer than 3 hours after the last break.  Naturally, when your puppy gets a little older he can be left for longer periods of time in the kennel.

If your pet begins to whine, don’t acknowledge it-either by letting him out or by talking to him. If you do, it will only reinforce him, and teach him to whine some more the next time he is in the kennel. Your pup may whine to announce a potty break is needed, but otherwise don’t give him attention until it is his scheduled time for a break. Before long, you will know how to recognize the different sound of the potty break whine from the “let me out of here” whine.

If you have a puppy dog kennel training is something that you will surely benefit from. Two of the most obvious advantages of dog kennel training are the absence of accidents that soil your carpets, and the many things your puppy doesn’t chew up while he is teething.

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