by Jennifer Defrates

Created on: January 17, 2007   Last Updated: October 24, 2011

Kennel training made simple - Have you ever watched a small puppy left to its own devices? They tend to crouch under chairs, behind furniture, etc. While to us putting a dog in a crate may seem inhumane, the need for security, especially after being removed from mother and littermates, is innate and the properly trained puppy or dog will actually seek out the kennel to sleep or during times of stress. Puppies also sleep most of the time and will be happiest sleeping in a secure environment.

I have raised six litters of AKC German Shepherds. I used kennels to housebreak the dogs I kept and the older puppies waiting for placement. It is the easiest and most effective way to housebreak a puppy. Try to start by choosing a kennel or pet carrier that is not overly large for your puppy. Puppies will not want to urinate or defecate where they sleep and will avoid it if the kennel is close enough to make it uncomfortable for them. You may have to replace it as the dog matures once or twice. Don't put blankets or soft toys in the kennel. Puppies chew and will destroy anything left in the kennel. Plus chewed objects could become choking hazards for your pet.

The best way to use a kennel or crate to housebreak a dog is to put your pet in the crate for short periods of time with a small reward (Milkbone, etc.) and lots of "good dog"'s. Walk away and let the puppy adjust to the kennel. I would start with ten-twenty minutes a couple of times over a span of a few hours. Take the puppy outside as soon as you let it out of the kennel to help them learn a routine and acceptable behavior.

Once the puppy has gotten used to the kennel and accepts it as its territory, you can begin to leave it in for longer stretches at a time. Most puppies will take to it relatively quickly, but it seems to work best if the kennel is not in a highly used room. The puppy will see you and want to play. When you have time for puppy play, take them out of the kennel, straight outside, and then play with them. If you are no longer supervising the puppy, return it to the kennel to minimize chewing and other "accidents."

Remember puppies are best trained with love and gentle firmness. If you praise good behavior and reshape negative behavior, they will learn easily. Use patience and positive reinforcement to help your puppy become an integral member of your family.

For an older dog who needs to be kenneled during the day, but is not used to a kennel the same principles apply. Small increments of time in the kennel with rewards and gradually increase the time alone over a period of a couple of days. Understand adjustments take time for animals just as they do for people and abrupt changes tend to backfire.

Kennel training takes some time but the rewards and benefits will last a lifetime.

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