My dogs won't lie in their kennels unless they are next to the back door ... a waterproof coat is an option, but will require training to keep it on the dog. Put it on the dog and feed the dog, or take the dog for a walk so the dog associates the coat with good and not evil. I have an oilskin with flannel lining for my terrier x kelpie. She hates it, but she doesn't shiver ...
Some great advice here, I'm going to really try and get him in the kennel, it's close to his favourite spot, he's just such a timid thing, he's even afraid of doors opening.
Otherwise, may have to get him one of those coats.. I can't imagine him getting used to one of those though..
Hmm I foresee some diligent weeks of training ahead! Thanks for the ideas ladies!
We put a couple of our old pillows in the kennel. They help keep her warm, make it more comfortable and smell like us. We have tried the dog coats for the past 4 winters, but she just chews them to bits. We will attempt it again this winter and see if she has outgrown that chewing stage.
our families dogs prefer the trampoline/hammock style beds to others and prefer to be right near the door as well.
u said that he has a warm bed, would that fit in the kennel maybe?
also, our old kennel had a space heater installed in the back wall so that the kennel didnt get as cold but that was under the veranda connected to an all weather switch.
other than that i dont really have many suggestions cos our dog sleeps in her basket in our room.....
You might have to get a moveable kennel and put it closer to where the family is...they like to be close to the rest of the "pack".
The other thing you could do is leave a really juicy treat inside the kennel, hang around and reward with praise, cuddles etc as soon as he steps foot inside.
BTW if he's really timid it's probably a good idea to move him away from DD. Otherwise think about what other spaces you could house him in, our little doggie has a kennel for daytime but when the weather is really bad and overnight he has a condo set up in the laundry, which is a space the kids generally don't go into. We have a plastic bed (to insulate from the cold floor) lined with a thin cushion for softness and an old 100% wool blanket from the op shop for warmth...he does love snuggling down there .
we use rugs on all of our girls. They're called 'PRESTIGE Cosy-Fleece Dog Vests', but they can be hard to find. I bought the last ones off the net. They're great because they have a zipper on the back, and hug quite nicely to keep the dog warm. I also have some other ones that I use sometimes, but can't remember their names.
In the kennel, we use cheap rugs from the opshop (or kmart), and try to put our smell on them before putting them in the kennel. But it doesn't take much to get the girls into the kennel on a cold night!
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