Teaching your dog to enjoy their time in an outdoor kennel is much like crate training. You’ll want to use treats, toys, and other comfort items to ensure your pup comes to love spending time in dog kennels. However, outdoor kennels are slightly different from crates. Since kennels are much larger than crates, there are more opportunities for fun activities your dog enjoys. We’ll go over some of the best ways to create an inviting and fun space for your pet so they become acclimated to their outdoor kennel.
Bring Their Favorite Toys Into the Kennel
One of the best tips for helping your dog acclimate to the kennel environment is to bring their favourite toys into the enclosure. By incorporating toys or other kennel accessories into the space, your dog will stay stimulated and happy when left alone in the kennel. Here are some toys you may want to include:
- Ropes
- Treat-stuffed toys (like a kong toy)
- Treat puzzles
- Balls
- Chew toys
It’s important to consider your individual dog’s needs and play habits. You’ll also want to be careful with the type of toys you leave in dog kennels. Some toys are easily breakable, which could be a choking hazard. If your dog tends to chew or destroy toys, it’s best to only leave non-destructible toys in the enclosure.
Add Sprinklers or a Wading Pool to the Outdoor Area
During the warm summer months, you may be thinking about different ways to keep your dog cool. If your dog loves the water, adding some aquatic activities to the outdoor area can bring some fun into the kennel. Try putting in a sprinkler or small wading pool so that your pet can stay entertained and comfortable when the temperatures are soaring.
Set up Enrichment or Sensory Activities
Besides toys and water activities, there are other kinds of activities you can set up in dog kennels to make the space more enjoyable. For example, you might include sensory features in the kennel. Some fun activities for your dog might include tunnels, hoops, and obstacle courses.
You might also include rubber padding or fake turf on the ground of the kennel. Some pet owners may even decide to include real plants in or near the kennel to provide a sensory experience for their dogs. However, with this option, it’s essential that you only include non-toxic plants. You may also want to consider putting real grass or a sand pit into the enclosure to provide stimulation.
Providing fun and stimulating activities for your dog ensures they will remain entertained, comfortable, and satisfied with their time spent outside. There are simple additions to dog kennels that can make a significant impact on your dog becoming acclimated to their kennel, such as treat-stuffed toys or small wading pools. To ensure your dog has space to play, you’ll want to get a kennel that’s large enough. Benchmark Kennels has a wide selection of premium dog kennels in varying sizes, so you can find the option that’s right for your pet.
