Hi, i have recently got a puppy and during the night time and when we are out we want to train her to stay into a shed that we have converted into a kennel. Inside the kennel is, her crate, a radio, lino floor, food and water, toys, soft bedding and a light. The kennel/shed is also insulated and she has a hot water bottle when we leave her. The reason for my post is that she doesnt like going into it, once she is in, she only takes approx 5 mins to settle if that but i want her to be more happy to go into the shed - any ideas on how to make her think of this as a nice happy place. When i was working on it the other day she came in, went to her bed and fell asleep but its been a few weeks now and she isnt getting any better at going into the kennel/shed and i dont want it to cause her distress.

The most effective way would be intravenous psychotropic drugs.

Dogs are social animals and isolating them is cruel.

If the dog is not part of your family and welcome in the home you might reconsider re-homing.

i thought for a long time about writting on a forum, and your answer is the reason why i didnt want to but i just thought someone may have some sensible suggestions, i cant see how a shed which is attached to a house, is any different from a utility room or a kitchen, i just dont have a suitable indoor space and therefore have put a large amount of effort into converting an outdoor space to provide her with a safe environment.

3 of my dogs are crate trained (indoors mind you) and to make it a happy place the door/gate is left open for them to go in and out as they like when I'm home and I also fed/feed them in it. It then becomes a happy place. Now when I go out these 3 dogs get crated or x penned (depends who and if any are in season and their age). Mainly because one is a puppy and 2 just enjoy finding interesting things to do while I'm gone. So my advise is make it a happy place. If your dog is also an inside dog I'm not sure about the sleeping outside at night as they need to climatize to the weather. I have collies rough coated and because they are house dogs they don't get as much undercoat as required to sleep outside at night but do stay out alot when I'm home during the day..Jill

__________________
(Justice was not served for Lyle)(Value of a Human life by the Canadian Justice system 835 days)

Whats wrong with your kitchen ?? cant the puppy stay in there when your out ??

I can see how this could upset people as if you dont have a suitable room within your house then why get a dog ??

Sorry maybe im off hand here but the thought of a new puppy in a shed freaks me out!

yes she is an indoor as well as an outdoor dog, she was born and raised in a stable so has a nice thick coat already and im not concened about the cold - her crate is covered in a thick blanket along with the bedding inside and hot water bottles - which are keeping their heat until the morning, along with the insulation which lines the shed, i think i will just spend some more time in their with her and see if she improves - as i said she quickly settles and when we wake her in the morning it appears that she has slept well and gives a big long stretch as she wakes so i dont think she is unsettled.

Does the shed have any natural light - could she have access to the garden as well, so she can go in and out?

__________________
Proud owner of Rocky the Yorkie, born July 2008, who came to live with us at 8 weeks old
and
Ellie the Yorkie, born February 2012, who came to live with us at almost 8 weeks

Yes it does have natural light, and curtains!! She doesnt at present have access to the garden when we are away - it currently wouldnt be secure enough but it may be something to consider. My thought was If a dog was in a kitchen it wouldnt have access to outdoor space during the day.

It might help to know, what breed, what age and how long she is in there during the day

__________________


"I am not perfect and i don't have to be, before you start pointing fingers, make sure your hands are clean" - Bob Marley

https://sites.google.com/site/blisschalet/

My biggest worry would be that it isnt as safe for your dog outside as indoors would be, dogs are getting stolen all the time for various reasons. As far as making her feel safe and happy I would suggest the radio that youve already covered, and leaving her for short times when she is ready for sleep .

__________________


gsds (Henrick and Bella), the cats (Syd, Lilly, Elvis and Dizzy), the gerbils (Honey, Lisa, crusty, Millhouse, Flanders, Bart and Homer), the rats (Valentine, Flower, Petal, Blossom, Koda, Cava, George), the mice (Minnie, Pop, Seudag, Caraid, Silver, Trouble, Athena, Pandora, Aphrodite, Meep, and Springtime)