how to kennel train a puppy

Kennel training a puppy takes time. Be patient and do what is recommended here and in a few weeks your puppy will learn to love their kennel. 

Start with food: 
Start by feeding and watering your puppy in their kennel. Stick with a schedule. Do this two to three times a day. Also give treats in the kennel. The goal here is to have your puppy associate the kennel with good things. Do this for a week. 

Reward the choice to be in the kennel: 
Whenever your puppy decides to be in their kennel reward with treats and praise. Again, you want your puppy to see the kennel as a safe space for them to relax in. 

Start with short amounts of time: 
After your puppy sees the kennel as a safe space, start closing the door for 15 minutes at a time. Do this for a week several times throughout the day. Never force your puppy into the kennel, instead entice your puppy with treats. 

After the first week of kennel time:
After the first week of 15 minute kennel breaks, start gradually increasing the time your puppy is in the kennel by 5 minutes a day. When you have reached 30 minutes start increasing by 10 minutes a day. 

What to do when the puppy cries:
When your puppy cries in the kennel, let her cries or acts out. Your puppy has to learn to self regulate their emotions. Crying and acting out is a way that they do this. Gradually your puppy will learn to stop crying/acting out and will stay calm in the kennel. This process of self regulating helps your puppy to mature into an emotionally regulated dog. 
Do not let your puppy out of the kennel until she has been quiet and calm for at least a minute. This rule teaches your puppy that they will not be let out unless they are calm.
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