New pets bring lots of fun, love, and snuggles into your home, but incorporating them into your daily life takes time and quite a bit of work. And a lot of adjustments. For most families, this includes crate training your new dog.
While crate training is helpful for a many task-oriented purposes, it’s also perfect for teaching your fur baby that they don’t need continual human contact all day long. Crate training your pet can reduce the risks for separation anxiety, and make your fur baby feel at ease until you get home. We recommend kennel training as a great way to start building healthy routines for you, your family, and your new pet.
Kennel Training Dos
Limit your pup’s time in the kennel. Start with small increments of time and slowly work your way up to longer periods. If your dog begins to whine, reassure them and wait until they’ve settled before letting them out or giving them treats. Releasing them or giving them attenintion when they’re crying will teach them that this behavior gets them out of their kennel. We want to teach them that time in the kennel is quiet time.
Use positive reinforcement to encourage kenneling. Each time your pooch successfully goes into their kennel (when requested by you) reward them with a treat. Serving meals in their crate may also help associate positive feelings with their cozy corner.
Make kennel time comfortable. Ensure you select a kennel that is the appropriate size for your dog, which may mean sizing up as they grow. Add a blanket, pet bed, or a few favorite toys to create a safe, comforting space that makes your furry friend as comfortable as possible and reduces anxiety.
Leave the door open. Even when your puppy is playing and exploring, make sure the kennel door is always open. This let’s them know that they can come and go as they please, and gives them a safe haven to rest–away from other pets or children when they’ve reached their limit for social activity. Make sure your family also knows that this is your pet’s safe space for quiet time.
Consider covering the crate at night. Many owners use kennels for pet bedtime, especially while potty training new puppies. Covering your kennel with a light sheet or blanket helps create a disturbance-free, den-like environment for you dog to relax in.
Kennel Training Don’ts
Never force your dog into their kennel. Forcing an animal into a small space can cause distress and a future aversion to kenneling. The goal is to make the kennel your dog’s safe zone for times when they may feel unsafe.
Kennling is not punishment. Altough kennel training is useful for discouraging unwanted behaviors, like chewing, kennels and crates shouldn’t be used to correct misbehavior. Frequent time-outs in a kennel may cause your dog to associate negative experiences with that space–which can foster aversion to future use.
Don’t overuse the kennel. Dogs who are left in a kennel all night and then all day while you’re away–they often become depressed, overweight, or anxious. If you’re unable to to let your pet out for long periods of time, consider doggie daycare, pet sitters, or other means of care to provide physical activity and bonding while you’re away. Our sister business–Bayside Bed & Biscuit–offers boarding and doggie daycare services.
Don’t use the kennel to “correct” behavior. Altough kennel training is useful for discouraging unwanted behaviors, like chewing, kennels and crates shouldn’t be used to correct misbehavior. Frequent time-outs in a kennel may cause your dog to associate negative experiences with that space–which can foster aversion to future use.
Don’t leave pets in the kennel day & night. Just as we don’t spend in our lives trapped in one room of our house, our dogs shouldn’t spend their entire life in a kennel. With proper introduction and consistent use, kennel training will add a sense of ease and stability to your home.
If you have any questions about kennel, obedience or other pet training, please contact Bayside Animal Hospital today. We’re happy to offer advice or refer you to qualified, local resources that meet your needs.
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