There are plenty of good articles out there about how to stop a dog from barking in her kennel (crate). Most dog owners know they should ignore their dogs for barking, return to them when they're quiet and provide them with food and other goodies in their kennels. The following are some extra tips to expand on these ideas to
Stop a dog from barking in a kennel.
1. Ignore the dog for as long as it takes.
A dog trainer might tell you to ignore the dog for barking in her kennel, but what if the dog barks for an hour or longer? Just keep on ignoring her. If the puppy or dog barks for an hour the first night in her kennel, she'll probably bark for 45 minutes the next night and maybe 30 minutes after that. The dog will stop barking if she learns the routine and if she knows barking does not get her what she wants (attention). Sleep with ear plugs for a week or two if needed.
2. Teach your dog to ride in a kennel in the car.
You want to help your dog associate the kennel with positive experiences. Well, most dogs (although not all) love the car! Riding in a kennel in the car is a good safety precaution for a dog anyway, but it has the added benefit of helping the dog associate the kennel with good things like visiting the park or just spending time with you. Check out the available kennel options at dogIDs.
3. Let the dog out of the kennel before she starts barking.
If your pup needs a potty break in the middle of the night or if she has a habit of barking when she wakes up, make a point to let her out before the barking starts. Sometimes it's difficult for the dog to stop barking once she starts. You can prevent that habit from forming in the first place by letting her out before she has a chance to bark.
4. The treats have to be highly valued.
You've heard it's a good idea to feed the dog in her kennel or give her treats in her kennel. But you won't get away with tossing a few biscuits in the kennel and calling it good. You'll need to use some extra-tempting goodies like organic dog treats or pieces of bacon stuffed into a puzzle toy. Use treats that are worth a million dollars to a dog!
5. Provide the dog with enough exercise.
A fetch session with a favorite ball in the back yard is only going to get your dog riled up. To actually get him tired, you need to take the time to go for a long walk every day. Not for 20 minutes but for a good 60 minutes or longer, especially if you have a high-energy dog that barks in the kennel. Exercise alone will not stop a dog's barking, but the less energy the dog has, the better. Dogs without extra energy have an easier time remaining calm.
What are some additional tips to stop a dog from barking in a kennel?