Dog kennel training

How to kennel train a dog:

First, bait the kennel with a very naughty cat.

Next, allow the dog to smell the bait …

🙂

If you are going to use a kennel at all with your dog, consistent kennel training is important. Most dogs have at least some anxiety when kenneled.

This was the case recently when my mutt Ace spent the night at a relative’s house who reported that Ace cried, paced and yipped until 2 a.m.

What could possibly cause my “kennel-trained” dog to be so anxious?

Did my dog miss me? Maybe.

But more likely, it’s even simpler:

1. Ace’s routine was off.

2. Ace hadn’t had enough exercise.

I often expect too much out of Ace and take his normally calm behavior for granted. I forget that even a good dog is still a dog.

It’s difficult, if not impossible to calm a dog down if he has not had enough exercise.

Ace is not deprived by any means – he goes biking with me a few days per week, and he goes along on runs. Still, I’d like to commit more focused time to exercising my dog.

My goal is 4 miles per day. Will that always be possible? No. But it’s a goal to shoot for.

A second goal is to reinforce kennel training.

When I say, “Kennel up,” Ace sprints to his kennel and dives in hoping for a treat. But there are times when he believes he doesn’t have to be kenneled.

During a recent trip to my parents’ house I kenneled Ace for about 10 minutes while their dogs were loose. Let’s just say my dog threw a temper tantrum – yipping and whining. When Ace is excited and I kennel him, it does not go well.

Below are some dog kennel training tips I plan to use with my mutt. These tips are intended for dogs that are already “kennel trained” but may have issues being kenneled when they don’t want to be, like when guests visit or when staying in someone else’s house.

Dog kennel training tips

1. Kennel the dog randomly.

Dogs like routines, but it’s good to slowly stretch their limits. Kenneling the dog randomly for even 10 minutes at a time teaches the dog that you are the one who decides when he will go in the kennel. Try this while you are watching TV, while you are doing something “fun” like playing fetch or even right before heading out for a walk.

2. Kennel the dog in different rooms.

This is another way to slowly get the dog used to going in the kennel at any time and anywhere. Dogs are contextual, meaning they need to learn ideas in different contexts. Just because the dog is kennel trained in the laundry room doesn’t mean he is kennel trained in the basement or upstairs or at your mom’s house.

3. Kennel the dog when people visit.

Practice this one with good friends and family members who are also dog owners and understand what you are trying to teach your dog. When people visit, most dogs get very excited. This is the perfect time to practice putting the dog in the kennel.

I don’t believe dogs should be kenneled every time people visit. Dogs should learn to greet people at the door appropriately. But kenneling the dog randomly for 10 minutes when friends are over will help your dog learn to be calm for those rare nights when you really do want to kennel him. Maybe you want him kenneled during Thanksgiving dinner or during a party with your co-workers, for example.

4.  Kennel the dog when he is excited.

This is a tough one for Ace. If he is worked up over something like a ball or another dog, he will bark if I kennel him. This usually happens when we are visiting family members because there are other dogs around and Ace doesn’t want to be away from “the pack.”

I can set up scenarios at home to teach Ace that once he is in the kennel he has to calm down no matter what. It’s easy to get my dog riled up. All it takes is a game of fetch or a game of chasing me around the couch. I will put him in his kennel once he is excited, wait for him to calm down and then let him back out to play some more.

5. Correct excessive barking or crying.

When a dog is first learning to stay in a kennel, it’s best to ignore any crying or barking. This teaches the dog that crying or barking will not result in any kind of attention. But when a kennel-trained dog like Ace barks in his kennel, I will correct him. Ace understands that I disagree with this behavior.

I will ignore a little whining and maybe even a few yips, but if Ace’s barking escalates, I am right there to tell him “no.” I don’t yell, but I let him know I mean it.

6. Make the dog sleep in the kennel.

Ace is used to sleeping on his dog bed at night, so it’s unfair to expect him to sleep in his kennel with no issues when we travel. Guess what that means? One night a week or so, Ace will be sleeping in his kennel.

7. Kennel the dog when you are gone.

If your dog typically has access to the whole house when you are gone, there’s nothing wrong with kenneling him from time to time when you run errands. It’s a good reminder to the dog that sometimes he will be kenneled when you are gone, and it is no big deal.

8. Kennel the dog at a friend’s house.

Once your dog is quiet in the kennel under all circumstances at home, challenge him more by kenneling him at  friend’s house. For example, if you will be visiting a friend for a few hours, walk your dog first, then bring him along and kennel him for a half-hour at the friend’s house. I only recommend this if your friend is also a crazy dog person.

9. Work on problem areas.

If your dog doesn’t bark in the kennel at all except for when other dogs visit, then that is what you should work on the most. Invite your friends over with their dogs, and tell them what you are working on.

When my dog has an issue with something, like barking in the kennel when he’s excited, it’s easy for me to avoid that situation and not work on it. The problem is, sooner or later that situation is going to come up and Ace will not be successful because I didn’t address the issue.

10. Always reward good behavior.

If the dog is being quiet, let him out of the kennel! Go back to some basics like providing extra goodies in the kennel. If the kennel represents treats, safety and relaxation (like it always should), then your dog will enjoy kennel training and his time spent in the kennel.

Remember, these tips are intended for dogs that are already kennel trained. If your dog is not used to a kennel, stick to the basics and a routine. The above tips are meant to challenge dogs that are already used to a kennel.

Do you use a kennel? Does your dog ever bark in the kennel?