How To Introduce Yor Pet To A Kennel

Posted on by TheBorkingGabby

A kennel is one of the first items that your pet will ever need. You all probably used it for the first time to take your little friend to the vet for the first check up and jabs.

Some places you need to take your pet to can be really scary for him. Your little fur ball can infact smell fear from other pets that have been in the same place before (that usually is true for vets and pensions).

Pets have no control over situations that humans put them into (e.g. even if they don’t like to go to the vet, they cannot flee because they are confined in a room, they cannot defend themselves from the vet because maybe they have a muzzle and even freezing won’t prevent the vet from harming them with an injection), this means that sometimes it’s difficult for them to cope and the whole experience will be really stressing.

A kennel creates some sort of second reality, separate from the outside world. They still have no control over it but they will eventually learn with experience that no harm will come to them as long as they are inside. It becomes infact a safe place, some sort of den that can be moved. This is enough to help pets to relax a bit at least while you are waiting or traveling somewhere.

But this kind of experience needs to be built, your pet will not feel like he is in a den unless you help him to associate the kennel to something good. I suggest to involve the kennel into your pet’s everyday life. It can be used as a bed, a place where nobody will disturb him. Trying to make it comfortable could really make the difference, you could put a soft blanket in it, a toy and some tasty treat for him to find now and then.

The method I am about to tell you will work for puppies that have never seen a kennel as well as for pets that are scared of them because the only times they have been in a kennel were when they were in a stressful  situation such as being at the vet, in a pension or in a car.

First of all, if you don’t have a kennel, get one. Some of them can be disassembled into 3 pieces (the top, the bottom and the door), some into 6 (the top, the bottom, the door and the walls). If your pet is a nervous guy the best option for you is the 6 pieces kennel.

STEP 1

The first thing you need to do is to get your pet used to all the pieces singularly so disassemble the kennel and place the pieces on the floor. Your pet will be curious about it and come close to explore. At this point offer your pet some treats, first from your hand and then put a treat on every piece of the kennel and encourage your pet to take them from there. Repeat for a few days and pass to the next step only when your pet looks really excited when you get close to the pieces.

If you have a 3 pieces kennel, go to STEP 5.

STEP 2

Put together the bottom of the kennel and one of the walls and put some food in it. Repeat for a few days and again when your pet gets excited when you get close to the kennel, it’s time for the next step.

STEP 3

Put together a second wall and repeat as in the last step for a few days.

STEP 4

Put together the third wall and repat as in the last step for a few days.

STEP 5

Add now the top of the kennel. Now that only the door is missing your pet might be reluctant to enter the kennel. If he looks nervous you can feed him his daily servings by putting his bowl in the kennel. In this way it might take a while but hunger will win and your pet will need to enter the kennel with at least part of his body to eat (some dogs will infact stretch their bodies until they can eat leaving their back legs out of the kennel). With some repetitions your pet will come around to the fact that nothing bad happens when he is inside the kennel and he won’t be afraid anymore. When that happens, go to the next step.

STEP 6

Now add the door but when your pet gets inside to eat don’t close it. Repeat for a few days.

STEP 7

Keep feeding your pet inside the kennel but this time, when he gets in, slowly close the door. If your pet seems scared and tries to get out, let him. If he seems okay then keep the door closed for a second or two and then let him out. Repeat for a few days.

STEP 8

Start increasing the time that your pet spends inside the kennel. Start with a few seconds, then a few minutes. When he will be able to stay in the kennel for 30 minutes without crying or looking nervous then lift the kennel with your friend inside. Just a few seconds then put him back and let him out. Repeat for a few days.

STEP 9

Lure your pet in the kennel with a treat, close the door after him and leave him there for 5 minutes. Then pick up the kennel, move it to anther room of the house and let him out. Repeat for a few days trying a different room every time. You can also try your car but only if he is confortable in that environment. You can also let him out inside your car.

STEP 10 (if your pet is not scared of cars)

Invite your pet in the kennel and put him in your car. Drive a few blocks and then go back home. When you are in your house again, let your pet out. Repeat for a few days.

At this point your pet should be fine being carried around in different places, with less stress or even none.

TIPS

-have the kennel always ready for your pet to use at any time;

-praise your pet if he gets near or inside the kennel on his own;

-speak with a calming voice to encourage and calm your pet if he seems nervous or scared;

-place the kennel in a frequented room of your home (possibly on a high place if you have a cat) because pets like to rest where they can still see what’s going on in the house;

– if your pet already had a bad experience with a kennel, wash it thoroughly before use to eliminate the smell of fear or of anything that can remember your pet of the previous bad experience.

If you have any questions feel free to leave a comment or if you need help with one of our services don’t hesitate to contact us in the following ways. We are available for all Chelmsford (UK) area.

As always I apologise if my english is not perfect. Still work in progress!

Leave a comment