Why wont the dog use his kennel?

[TheFrogs]

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?

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.

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?

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

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.

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