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The doghouse

Why wont the dog use his kennel?

5 replies

TheFrogs · 04/11/2011 20:57

I found him again whining at the back door absolutely soaked. Now I dont lock him out if its already raining but I do have to put him out for a while (if it's not too cold obviously) if i'm going out or doing something upstairs as he's a chewer and cant be left unsupervised for even a few minutes. It's either that or crate him..I dont know, I figured he'd be happier running around the garden than being crated. But if it happens to rain he has shelter he wont use...why?

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JaxTellerIsMyFriend · 04/11/2011 21:09

has the dog been taught that the outside kennel is his space? Is it big enough? Warm enough? water tight?

How old is the dog, what breed/mix

I use a crate for one of my dogs as she is a nosy poke (aka danger to herself)
A crate isnt a 'bad thing' so long as it is used and introduced correctly.

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TheFrogs · 04/11/2011 21:35

We showed him the kennel when we got it and tried to encourage him to go in. It's big enough, watertight and has a huge warm blanket inside (which he keeps dragging back out and taking around the garden).

He's quite small, a terrier mix and one year old.

He goes in the crate overnight which is why I didn't know if it was fair to crate him in the day also?

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chickchickchicken · 04/11/2011 22:27

as you have a one year old terrier cross are you sure you are giving him enough exercise, mentally as well as physically? i have terriers and i know when they were that age they would have been destructive, chewing etc, if they were not properly stimulated. a young terrier needs a lot of stimulation or will naturally display destructive behaviours

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Elibean · 05/11/2011 12:12

Our 6 mo old is a chewer when bored/alone even for 2 minutes, so I do give him a chew in his crate if I have to be upstairs for long (putting dds to bed, eg). He has masses of exercise and company during the day, and honestly doesn't seem to mind - I do feel guilty, but its safer for him, as well as our belongings, really.

He has a huge crate, and goes in there off his own bat sometimes for some peace and quiet, so I know he's associating it with rest/pleasure, at least. I guess it depends on the dog, but I know ours would hate to be outside alone - even with a lovely kennel. In his crate, he still seems to feel part of the family/house.

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KatharineClifton · 05/11/2011 15:18

My mum's collies would never use the kennel - or rather lovely deluxe igloo - but the beagle does. It is full of his 'treasures'.

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