Comments on: Should I Kennel Train?

By: Russia

Russia — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 01:37:01 +0000

I’ll probably take some flak for this, but we do a bit of both. Our 8 1/2 week old puppy sleeps in bed with us at night because she sleeps much better that way. In her crate she was up every 2 hours, when she sleeps with us she sleeps right through sometimes 7 hours. However, during the day while we’re at work we crate her, both for our sanity and hers. She is only ever alone for about 3 hours at a time before someone comes along to let her out. Some people will probably discourage her sleeping with you but it’s really a choice you need to make that you will be comfortable with. I would definitely suggest crate training her regardless. That way she stays out of trouble while you’re gone

By: ladywolf

ladywolf — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 23:27:11 +0000

I’d be interested in hearing what bad things you’ve heard about kennel training. I wouldn’t be surprised if it were more because the owner couldn’t handle being away from their puppy instead of it being bad for the puppy.
Kennel training is a safe, easy method of making sure that while you’re away your puppy doesn’t destroy your house or potentially ingest something dangerous for it.
If you kennel train properly, the kennel is a safe, happy place for the dog where it gets to hide away from all the stress and activity of the house when it needs to. You should never, ever take the dog out of the crate to punish it, or ever yell at the dog while it’s in the crate.
Sure, they might cry for a little while, but that’s not because it doesn’t like the crate, it’s because it’s not used to where it is and wants reassurance. But if you reassure it by giving it what it wants, it will learn that it can walk all over you and do whatever it wants just by crying and being scared.

By: Stephanie W

Stephanie W — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 20:40:45 +0000

If you do it properly, the dog will like his kennel. It should be a place of security, not a place for punishment.
Research the right way to do it and you’ll be fine.

By: itscaram

itscaram — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 15:42:14 +0000

YES YES YES! kennel training is the way to go. i’ve heard that when your dog sleeps with you, you lose the “dominance” in the relationship. did you kennel train your first pup?
also, without a kennel, where are you going to keep him all day when you’re gone?

By: Jamie C

Jamie C — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 15:36:17 +0000

Do not use the kennel as punishment. I did this with my dachshund and I’d go to get him out and he’d try and attack me. It was his territory and he didn’t want us to get near the kennel. I would only use it long enough to potty train the dog then switch to the bed.

By: Summer Papillon

Summer Papillon — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 14:16:29 +0000

Pups should be kenneled when they’re young- especially paps, they’re trouble. We weaned ours off theirs though when they were older and more trustworthy. All of ours sleep on the bed now, though the new pup is going to be crated for sure. Actually, we use pens most often.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 13:58:51 +0000

I have 2 dogs and they are both kennel trained. I believe in it 110%. My 2 year old Boykin still uses his because he likes to chew sometimes but my Mini Schnauzer doesn’t need one anymore. He is very well behaved and I think kennel training is partly responsible.
Kennel training is the way to go, at least for the first couple of years.

By: blah

blah — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 12:17:45 +0000

not full kennel training.
my puppy is a chi. and sleeps in a kennel in a baby play pen(so she can potty and play)
but when she gets bigger and can jump off my pet w/o killing herself then she will sleep in my bed.
so i would suggest having baby play pin. then putting pet taxi in it wiht a bed and blankets.
and having puppy pad on the play pen so she can potty.
and put water and toys.
then we put a fitted sheet on top so she isnt too cold and cant jump out.
good luck

By: soofacki

soofacki — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 06:43:07 +0000

i always kennel train, sometimes people come over and it is nice, if they dont care for dogs, to have a kennel trained dog, opposed to a dog that thinks its in trouble for something, or locked in a room.. and when its time for a dog to not be in the bed ( ), and in a kennel in another room, not crying and barking…plus it gives them a “private ” place for them..
good luck either way

By: Reece Braveheart Aussies

Reece Braveheart Aussies — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 03:06:25 +0000

You can start with a crate and when your dog can go all night without having to go then switch to the bed. I’ve had puppies get up and go to the end of the bed to pee and I find it the next morning, so a crate will stop that. Dogs that I have love their crates, go in it to nap when its open during the day. Have fun with your new baby.