Should i kennel my dog at night

Crating your dog in a hotel can help him feel secure. I like to compare a crate for a puppy to the blanket fort that kids create with the dining room chairs and a couple of blankets. My blanket forts were my special place where I was alone with my toys while feeling close and comforted.

For many years dog trainers told dog owners not to let their dog sleep on the bed with them. The common opinion at that time was that dogs, being pack animals who wanted to assert themselves over their owners, would push and shove to get you to move over. There are only a few concerns about allowing your dog to sleep in bed with you. He needs to be in a crate also. My oldest dog, Bashir, prefers to sleep on a dog bed right next to my bed. There are many dog bed options that range from cushions to real furniture with wooden frames and nicely sewn cushions.

The placement of the dog bed is going to have to be a joint decision between you and your dog. My middle dog, Sisko, sleeps in various places. Sometimes he sleeps in his dog bed and sometimes he sleeps in the hallway outside my bedroom. His favorite spot, though, is on the sofa in the living room. My dogs are not allowed to roam the house at night until they are well-trained, well-behaved and mentally mature usually 2 to 3 years of age. Be strong and you will make it through the first few nights.

Set up a puppy's crate with a hot water bottle and a blanket that has your scent on it. This will help the puppy feel more secure and will be reminiscent of sleeping close to his canine mom and littermates.

Remember, your puppy has just been taken away from his family. Everything he knows has changed and he is likely frightened and confused. A crate can also be used as an effective and humane punishment. As long as the crate has lots of positive value built up, you can use it as an occasional time-out zone.

If crate training is done properly, your pup will be conditioned to relax and settle inside the crate. Putting an unruly pup into a crate as a time-out for a few minutes teaches him to settle, and also removes all reinforcing stimulus for his "naughty" behavior. However, if you are resorting to putting your dog in time-out multiple times per day, you risk developing a negative association with the crate.

The crate should be used in this way as a last resort, and only if redirecting to an appropriate behavior or ignoring the undesirable behavior does not work. I have fostered and raised many puppies, and can't imagine doing it without creating a positive association with the crate.

Within a very short time, most of the dogs that attend our dog daycare program enter their crates easily when we ask. In addition to the value of a crate at home, having a crate-trained dog is wonderful when you are travelling, when your dog needs to go to the vet or groomer, or if you plan to compete in any dog sports.

Trained properly with positive reinforcement and patience, the crate becomes a safe place for a dog.

You will find that your dog uses the crate on his own when he is tired, and enters willingly and eagerly when asked. All it takes is an investment of time and a few treats to end up with a happy dog and a happy human! With an impressive educational background and experience that includes fostering dogs as well as training them, Sarah is particularly interested in helping puppies, newly adopted dogs, and dogs that have behavioral issues. Sign up for our newsletters and get articles, new products, events, and exclusive deals sent directly to your inbox!

Have Questions? A bonus, not a penalty Many people refuse to crate or kennel-train their dogs because they feel the confinement is cruel. Some crates double as furniture! Puppy relaxing on a soft blanket. About the author. Post new comment Subject:. Glossary terms will be automatically marked with links to their descriptions. If there are certain phrases or sections of text that should be excluded from glossary marking and linking, use the special markup, [no-glossary] Additionally, these HTML elements will not be scanned: a, abbr, acronym, code, pre.

Each email address will be obfuscated in a human readable fashion or if JavaScript is enabled replaced with a spamproof clickable link. To prevent automated spam submissions leave this field empty. What to Focus on First!

Smart Reinforcement. Dog Sports Essentials. Puppy Start Right for Instructors. Build a great relationship Learn more. Sign Up for our Newsletter Sign up for our newsletters and get articles, new products, events, and exclusive deals sent directly to your inbox! Sign Up Today! Log in here. Choosing a crate: type, size, and location There are several varieties of crates available. A positive place It works best for a dog to be introduced to a crate gradually.

Cue in and out When the dog is going into the crate willingly, add a cue for entering the crate. Duration If your dog is comfortable with the door closed for a few seconds, gradually increase the time the dog is in the crate. When a little extra is needed Puppy relaxing on a soft blanket. Time-out If crate training is done properly, your pup will be conditioned to relax and settle inside the crate. From the crate, onward I have fostered and raised many puppies, and can't imagine doing it without creating a positive association with the crate.

More information about formatting options To prevent automated spam submissions leave this field empty. This will create a pleasant association with the crate. After your dog is eating their regular meals in the crate with no sign of fear or anxiety, you can confine them there for short periods of time while you're home. After your dog can spend about 30 minutes in the crate without becoming anxious or afraid, you can begin leaving them crated for short periods when you leave the house.

When you return home, don't reward your dog for excited behavior by responding to them in an enthusiastic way. Keep arrivals low-key to avoid increasing their anxiety over when you will return.

Continue to crate your dog for short periods from time to time when you're home so they don't associate crating with being left alone. Put your dog in the crate using your regular command and a treat. Initially, it may be a good idea to put the crate in your bedroom or nearby in a hallway, especially if you have a puppy.

Puppies often need to go outside to eliminate during the night and you'll want to be able to hear your puppy when they whine to be let outside.

Older dogs should also initially be kept nearby so they don't associate the crate with social isolation. Once your dog is sleeping comfortably through the night with the crate near you, you can begin to gradually move it to the location you prefer, although time spent with your dog—even sleep time—is a chance to strengthen the bond between you and your pet. If you've followed the training procedures outlined above, then your dog hasn't been rewarded for whining in the past by being released from their crate.

If that is the case, try to ignore the whining. If your dog is just testing you, they'll probably stop whining soon. Never punish them for whining. If the whining continues after you've ignored them for several minutes, use the phrase they associate with going outside to eliminate. If they respond and become excited, take them outside.

This should be a trip with a purpose, not play time. Stand in one spot in your yard where they normally go to the bathroom and wait. If you're convinced that your dog doesn't need to eliminate, the best response is to ignore them until they stop whining. If you've progressed gradually through the training steps and haven't done too much too fast, you'll be less likely to encounter this problem.

If the problem becomes unmanageable, you may need to start the crate training process over again. Separation anxiety : Attempting to use the crate as a remedy for separation anxiety won't solve the problem. A crate may prevent your dog from being destructive, but they may get injured in an attempt to escape. Separation anxiety problems can only be resolved with counterconditioning and desensitization procedures.

You may want to consult a professional animal-behavior specialist for help. Crate training Crating caution A crate is not a magical solution to common canine behavior. While crates can be used to manage a behavior, they should never be used for punishment. For example, putting your dog in a crate with an interactive toy when guests come over to avoid mishaps with food or jumping is more effective than waiting for misbehavior and then putting your dog away.

Regardless of the timing, using treats to entice your dog into the crate until they love going in on their own will ensure a positive association with it. Don't leave your dog in the crate too long.