Kennel training is the procedure of training a dog to accept only a dog cage or crate as a safe and familiar place. Proponents argue that crates help dogs are more independent and that a dog confined to a crate is less likely to become aggressive or destructive. While this is still a widely held opinion, there’s little scientific evidence to back it up. It’s important to remember though, that even if there aren’t any hard scientific facts to back up these claims, it’s still generally accepted within the dog training community that dogs do prefer to live in a dog crate.
In the past, the best way to encourage kennel training for your puppy was probably to simply never take the dog out of the crate. That sounds good on paper, but the reality was that puppies often become fascinated by the sound of their own crate. So instead of leaving the crate door open, you should set it up so that when the puppy takes a look at the door, it finds a blank canvas. Set the crate up like an old-fashioned wagon or a jail cell with a cement floor. Try to create as much physical distance between the dog and the object of its attraction so that the dog’s curiosity won’t be stimulated. If the dog tries to get close, simply take the dog outside of the crate.
This brings us to one of the most important dog training tips: Never leave puppies alone with just one person. Even if it’s just another dog, a puppy should only be left alone with one person at a time. Puppies have short memories and don’t always differentiate between friends and foes. Just as young children don’t make friends with all their classmates, adult dogs sometimes have trouble making friends with all their own kind.
These tips should go without saying to any dog owner who has had their dog arrested for barking, disobedient dog training, or any other infraction. But it’s important to note that barking is a normal response for a dog when it becomes aroused. However, excessive barking can signal a serious threat and should not be ignored. If you feel that your dog is in danger, you should take the dog to the vet immediately. The vet will do some tests and possibly give you medication for your dog to help alleviate whatever problem may be causing the excessive barking.
The same goes for kennel training. While there are many different kennels that you could use, it doesn’t make sense to purchase the cheapest or the one that is easiest to run. You want your kennel to be comfortable and safe. There are several different styles and sizes of kennels that you could use, so take your time in choosing the best one for you. These five tips will get you started on kennel training:
As mentioned above, one of the most important tips for both kennel training and dog training in general, is to establish routines. This way, your dog knows what is expected of him. For dog training specifically, the routines could include when you go out of the house, when you get home, how long you’ll stay in the house, and others. These routines will make dog training much easier, and you will have fewer problems with unwanted or inappropriate behavior.
The second tip for both kennel training your dog and crate training your pup is to introduce them to each other early. Before you ever even let your puppy leave its crate, take some time and build up its confidence. Your dog needs to know that he is just another dog and not someone special. If you take the time to do this, the crate training will go much more smoothly.
The third tip for both kennel training your dog and crate training your pup is to never leave a dog alone in its crate for more than an hour. It takes a very long time to completely acclimate a dog to its crate, and if you leave it alone for too long, he will develop anxiety issues. This means that he won’t be able to relax, and he will most likely start doing everything he can to destroy whatever is in his crate. The best thing to do is to leave the door open whenever you are around to keep the pup stimulated.
