Keeping your dog locked up in a kennel all day can make it feel like it’s not a happy place. Dogs naturally want to spend time with people, and kenneling can make it feel like they’re being isolated. You can help your dog feel more comfortable by making simple kennel changes that will keep it from getting stressed. Not only can your four legged friend feel isolated nothing can be worse than a home that is too cold, too warm or dirty. Read until the end as we hound out 8 ways to make your dog kennel comfortable.
Table of Contents
1. Bring Your dog to the Kennel Before bed
This is the most important thing you can do to make your dog comfortable in its kennel. Kenneling your dog day after day will make it anxious, and it will likely become aggressive.
The solution is to bring your dog to the kennel during the day while you’re home. Not only will this give it the chance to get used to being in kennel, but it will also give you the chance to spend some time with it. Let it sniff around, get some extra attention and playtime with you, its companion. Bringing your dog to the kennel at night can also help make it feel safe. Bringing your dog to the kennel at night can help you avoid problems with separation anxiety or other issues. Here are 7 ways to make your dog kennel comfortable.
2. Give Your dog a Chew toy and Train it to Like its Home
Not all dogs like to have toys available, but most will get excited about getting one if it’s offered. Dogs will sometimes chew on metal, plastic or wood, so make sure to keep an especially designed dog toy in the kennel. If your dog prefers to chew on stuff like slippers or has a soft ball it loves try to keep one of these in the kennel.
3. Train Your Dog to Sleep in The Kennel
This might sound strange, but dogs often feel more comfortable in kennels if they know it’s their home away from home. There are a number of ways to train your dog to like its kennel.
- Use a crate. Crates are a safe, enclosed place that a dog can feel comfortable in. Use a crate when kenneling your dog and let it know that it’s safe in there.
- Let your dog sleep in the kennel. Kenneling your dog at night is another way to get it used to the kennel. Let it sleep in the kennel at night so that it gets used to being in there during the day.
4. Arrange Bedding For Your Dog’s Crate
Arranging a bed for your dog is just like arranging a bed for a child. You want to make sure that your dog has a comfortable place to lay their head. When it comes to dogs and beds, you want to make sure that there is enough room for your dog to lie down in their bed. This will not only help them feel at home in their crate, but it will also help them feel more comfortable.
If you don’t want to make a bed from scratch, there are a few different options available for you. Companies have been making bedding specifically for dog crates. Some of the best products available are made with antimicrobial properties to help prevent bacteria and fungus from growing in the bed.
The Bedsure Orthopedic Dog Bed for Extra Large Dogs with memory foam with a removable washable cover and waterproof lining maybe just the ticket for your dog. Memory foam sits snuggly around your dog to give it a comfy resting experience. Please check the dimensions of your kennel/crate before opting for this option. The removable cover is quilted with is breathable and waterproof. Check it out on Amazon (we may get a small commission for purchases)
5. Add a Bed Mat
If you are looking for a chew-proof alternative, you can add a crate mat to the bottom of their crate. These mats are made to protect your floors and carpets from damage. They are also made to be chew-proof.
Besides giving your dog a place to lay their head, you also want to ensure that they will not be able to chew on the bed. Chew-proofing your dog’s bed is one of the most important things you can do to help them stay comfortable. There are a few different ways you can make sure your dog’s bed is chew-proof.
6. Feed Your Dog Before Kenneling
Feeding your dog before they go into their crate will help them get excited and relaxed. This will help them to feel more comfortable and calm while they are in the crate. Before you begin to feed your dog, make sure to remove any treats or chews that they have already been consuming.
Depending on your dog’s age, you may have to feed your dog several times a day. For some dogs, this may be every 12 hours. For other dogs, this may be several times a day. If this is the case, feeding your dog before going into their crate will help them get more comfortable while they are eating.
7. Let your Dog Take Bathroom Breaks
Let your dog out for bathroom breaks is one of 8 ways to make your dog kennel comfortable. It’s important to let your dog out for bathroom breaks when it’s kenneled. Dogs often feel anxious when they’re locked up, and when they have to wait, this can make them even more anxious. Let it out so that it has something to do to take its mind off the situation.
8. Keep an Open Space for Your dog
If your dog is crate trained and you keep an open space in its kennel, this will help it feel comfortable. This can be an open crate, a plastic tub or a piece of cardboard that’s been left out.
An open space will help your dog feel less trapped. It will also keep it from getting bored since it won’t be able to do as much of its regular dog activities while locked up.
Conclusion
Keeping your dog locked up all day can make it feel like its being isolated. Although there are many benefits of kenneling your dog, you can help make it feel more comfortable by making simple kennel changes that will keep it from getting stressed. 8 ways to make your dog kennel comfortable include bringing your dog to the kennel before bed, breaking its routine by letting it chew soft toys the kennel and keeping an open space in its kennel.
You can make your dog’s bed chew-proof by providing a chew-proof bed for your dog’s crate, making your dog’s bed comfortable, playing games with your dog before they go into their crate, and feeding your dog before they go into their crate.
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