Have you ever had this experience: You happily bought a new kennel for your dog, hoping it would have a cozy little place of its own? But the dog didn’t even glance at it, and even walked around it as if it were a dangerous stranger.
This used to be my biggest worry. My dog was wary of anything new, especially a new kennel. I wondered, aren’t dogs just naturally drawn to their kennels? It wasn’t until I studied dog psychology that I realized getting them to accept a new kennel actually requires some skill. Today, I want to share my successful experience and teach you how to get your dog to willingly settle into its new home.
Creating a sense of familiarity: making the doghouse feel like home
Dogs rely on smell to identify the world. A brand new doghouse is unfamiliar to them. It does not have the familiar smell, so naturally they will not feel close to it.
To solve this problem, I conducted a little “smell transplant” experiment. I placed my dog’s favorite toy and an old T-shirt (which had my scent on it) in the new dog bed. When my dog smelled these familiar scents, he immediately relaxed and became curious about the dog bed.
So, the first step is to put your dog’s favorite toy, treat, or an old piece of clothing with your scent in the dog’s bed. This will make the dog feel safe and comfortable psychologically because it smells the smell of “home”.
Increased comfort: Make the doghouse an inviting “paradise”
Sometimes dogs don’t sleep in their kennels because the design of the kennel itself makes them uncomfortable, just like we don’t want to sleep on a bed that is too hard or too soft.
I’ve found that many dogs don’t like mats that are too soft, and even prefer a surface that has a certain degree of hardness and provides support. If your dog bed is too soft, you can try adding a piece of cardboard under the mat, or simply replace it with a mat with better support.
You also need to consider the stability of the doghouse. If the doghouse is too light, it will wobble when your dog steps on it, which will immediately make him wary. Make sure the doghouse is stable and won’t slide or tip over easily.
Positive guidance: Make the doghouse a “happy base”
If your dog is still hesitant about his new kennel, you may need some positive guidance.
I started out just putting the kennel there and expecting my dog to go in on his own, but later on, I started using it as a “happy base.” I would play with him in the kennel, hide treats in it for him to find, or immediately reward and praise him when he entered the kennel.
This positive association will make the dog feel that “the doghouse is a good place, and good things will happen when it goes in.” Over time, it will naturally associate the doghouse with happiness and rewards, and fall in love with this place.
Conclusion
Making your dog fall in love with its new kennel is not a battle of willpower between you and it, but a journey of understanding it and respecting its instincts.
From scent, comfort to positive guidance, every step is based on the insight into your dog’s behavior and psychology. When you truly understand its needs, you can easily win its trust and make the kennel its favorite place.
Do you have any secrets for making your dog love their new kennel? Share your experiences in the comments!
