Dog Training: Using a Dog Kennel as a Dog’s Personal Space: Part 1
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The use of an indoor kennel is a wonderful tool. However, some people look upon these plastic kennels as little prisons for dogs. This reaction from some people is often an emotional reaction from seeing a dog confined and does not consider the significance of this space for the dog.
Dogs are originally den animals. This is hardwired into their nature. It is common to see a dog seeking overhead cover. Dogs seem more comfortable, and perhaps safer, when there is something over their head. That is why a dog often will be found under the dining room table or curled up underneath the computer desk. It seems like dogs seek out these protective spaces; and a kennel provides this.
Judicious use of a kennel is a wonderful aid in house training a pup (part two of this series). Dogs will try not to soil in its den. The kennel is not a place of punishment and should not be used as such. It is a place of refuge for the dog. It is a place where the dog can go to have some time away from the activity of the household. And it is not unusual for a dog, who is familiar with an indoor kennel, to enter that space voluntarily. It may sleep, nap or rest there - it seems presumptuous for us humans to think that our dogs want to spend all their time with humans. Dogs seem quite capable of determining when they need a ‘time out’ away from their human companions.
Many experienced dog people feed their dog in the kennel and provide a water supply within the kennel. A majority of the people who compete in dog obedience trials and confirmations shows will travel to distant locations with the dog kennels. Not only does it prevent a whole host of problems, it also adds a touch of familiarity for the dog in new situations. The kennel is the dog’s personal space and dogs seem quite comfortable being protected from all sides, except for the door. And often, this is the dog’s preferred space for watching the household and, of course, pondering those deep, existential dog thoughts.
Catherine Forsythe
Director of Operations
FlyingHamster: http://flyinghamster.com/
[tags]dogs, dog training, kennels, security, personal space, time out, catherine forsythe[/tags]
3 Comments
Doggone Friday ~ Windows Fanatics
March 9th, 2007
at 5:36pm
[...] Dog Training: Using a Dog Kennel as a Dog’s Personal Space: Part 1 [...]
krysta Rittenhouse
October 18th, 2007
at 9:57pm
hi. I am in desperate need of your help. Me and my fiance’ see things totally different when it comes to disciplining our kids and our dog. We have a 2 year old min pin who came to us after being VERY abused. He loves me and my daughter but has issues with the two males in the house. My fiance’ uses the kennel for a punishment and spanks and leaves him in there for long periods of time. I really need some good answers so i can try and discuss this issue with him before it gets outa hand. How long is too long to leve a dog punished? where should we uses for a “punishment” or Time -out spot for the dog? I love him soo much and want him to be able to stay with our family. I really nned your help/ Thanks =)
forsythe
October 18th, 2007
at 10:25pm
Krysta,
Isn’t your fiancé proving that what your min pin believes is correct? - And that belief is that males should not be trusted. The kennel is not a instrument for punishment. The kennel should be a sanctuary for your dog. Isolating the dog is not going to correct whatever behaviour it was that landed him in trouble in the first place. Isolating the dog is going to create more problems.
The spanking is disturbing. There are better ways to control the dog and teach it the behaviours that are wanted. The spanking will make the dog more fearful and insecure. You can achieve far more reliable progress with positive reinforcement. Hitting the dog does very little except relieve the human’s frustrations temporarily.
If the dog has a relationship with you, just a harsh word is enough to tell the dog that it has done something wrong. The physical punishment does nothing except to increase the dog’s fearfulness. I would venture to guess that, in the midst of this punishment, the dog has no idea why this harsh treatment is happening. I would suggest that the physical punishment stop and stop immediately.
Your dog needs to develop a relationship with the males in your family. And that is not achieved by physically hurting the dog. You know that. If it helps that I echo your sentiments, then I would say to stop the physical punishment and have the males start to have a trusting relationship with the dog. That takes time and patience - and not any more hitting or spanking.
If you want my help in repairing some of the abuse that this dog has undergone, I would be happy to do so. However, the continued physical punishment must stop. One does not help a dog overcome abuse by heaping more physical punishment upon it.
Catherine Forsythe