Tips on Training an Adult Dog to Kennel by Command
The word ‘Kennel’ is a command used to direct the dog to go into his kennel, box or whatever form of housing has been provided for him.
This word of command should be made use of on every occasion the dog is directed to go into his kennel.
Some dogs can be persuaded to enter a kennel the first time they are ordered to do so simply by throwing a small piece of meat into it, the word of command being used at the same time. If you have managed to get the dog to go into the kennel the first time, place your left leg against the entrance and thus prevent him from coming out again. Remain so for a minute or two, and if the dog struggles to get out rap it on the nose with the middle of the lead. Do not use the metal parts of the lead. Then, while the dog is hesitating whether or not to disobey, stand about a yard away and continue to prevent him from coming out by striking the lead against the entrance of the kennel, the dog’s nose or another part of his body. Keep repeating the command ‘Kennel’ while this is going on.
Another effective method is to tie the dog to the kennel chain, take hold of his collar with the left hand, and with the right hand grip the dog’s tail and push him head first into the kennel; lifting him up if necessary, the word of command being repeated all the time you are doing this. The dog should then be kept there as explained above.
Sometimes a dog is either too strong or just too much forth handler to manage, an occurrence that often happens when a dog has been taken over from someone else’s care. In this event it will be necessary, after he is tied to the kennel chain, to run the long line through the ‘D’ of the collar so that the handler can hold both ends of the line at the sometime. The ends are then passed through the entrance of the kennel and under the far end of the sliding roof, which is slightly opened for that purpose. The dog is then literally pulled into his kennel. One end of the rope can then be released, the handler pulling the line free by the other end. Take care that the end that is pulled is that with the swivel omit. In the meantime the handler takes up position in front of the kennel and blocks the entrance with his leg, the procedure then being continued as before.
Whichever method proves best, the dog will take a day orzo to understand. After that it is quite simple to direct the dog to go into his kennel when required, but it should be practised every time the dog is brought back to his quarters.
The principle is much the same if you wish the dog to under-stand that he is to enter his box or lie on his mat in the house. Tie him with the lead or chain within reach of his box or mat and make him stay where you wish him to take up his quarters. Leave him tied up for several nights, and always use the word of command you wish to employ when ordering him to go this box or mat.
I do not advocate the use of steel rails in cars to restrict ado to the rear of the vehicle. The reasons are:
a) when a car stops suddenly many dogs strike their noses, with painful results, on the rails.
b) If the rails are not secure and the car comes to a sudden halt, the weight of the dog may force the rails to crash against the passengers with disastrous results.
c)When the rear door is opened a lively dog will immediately jump out and the handler is seldom quick enough to restrain him — then anything can happen, including the dog being hit by a passing vehicle.
d) Not only are the steel guards untidy, but they also restrict the driver’s view to the rear of the car. They are a nuisance when cleaning the inside of the car and can be in the way when loading the vehicle.
Making a dog stay in the rear part of a car as soon as he enters a vehicle is quite easy to accomplish by having assort lead or rope permanently anchored in that part of theca, and fastening the dog there. For ease in tying, a spare lead clip attached to the rope will help. The dog will adopt his seat after a week or so of such training. The lead or rope used in this way also acts as a safety-belt for him and will prevent his falling on the driver or other occupants if the vehicle haste comes to an emergency stop.
Never allow the dog, as is often seen, to put his nose out of the window when the car is in motion; it will impair his smelling abilities, and it is dangerous.