Dogs are amongst the happiest creatures on earth. Most dogs spend their day cheering up those around them, chasing their tails, and running freely in the backyard. This leads many dog owners to ponder the question, “Are dogs happy in their dog kennels?”

The truth is that most dogs are content while spending time in their dog kennels, but there are a few steps you, as a dog owner, can take to ensure a good experience.

Placing a dog pillow in the kennel will allow the dog a more comfortable experience. Believe it or not most dogs enjoy a snug fit. In addition to a snug fit, the pillow offers the dog something familiar to come back to every time he/she returns to the kennel. Having a pillow could be compared to your own bed within your house. It isn’t that your bed is the softest bed in the world, but it is your bed and it is the bed that you sleep best in.

Dogs require some training to get used to their kennels. If you properly train your dog by being firm and by being consistent, then your dog will excitedly go to the kennel when it is time. The real key here is being consistent. Have a set schedule so the dog knows the difference between kennel time and play time. If you have your dog properly trained, he/she will excitedly enter the kennel when it is time.

Place your dog’s favorite doggie toy within the kennel. This will allow your dog to be familiar with his/her kennel environment, similar to placing a pillow in the kennel as discussed above. Having a favorite toy will give the dog extra incentive to enter when the time is right.

Make sure to give your dog regular exercise. If a dog is well exercised, then some time in the kennel will not bother the dog at all, in fact he/she will probably enjoy it. However, if a dog has been neglected and left in a kennel all day without any chance to stretch its legs, you can bet that the dog will be hating life within the kennel. This has another negative affect; it causes the dog to associate bad experiences with the kennel, which is why some dogs resist entering a kennel at all cost.

The last time for a happy kenneled dog is to make sure the kennel has adequate space. Dog’s don’t mind a snug fit, but they should have some room to move around and play with their toys.

By training your dog, keeping it on a regular schedule, and helping it have a positive experience your dog should enjoy the time spent within its new little home.

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