How to Train Your Dog to Use a Dog House

Hello Natalie, I would start by randomly placing treats inside and in front of the dog house throughout the day - so that treats magically appear, and he wants to check the house often (even if he won't go all the way inside initially. If he has a doggie friend or you can fit inside the house, I would also have you or the other dog spend some time in there to make it seem more appealing. Give it a bit of time as well. Keep doing the treats for a couple of weeks, along with making it seem more desirable by having others spend time in it. Finally, what does the bottom of the house feel like, make sure that the ground inside the house is comfortable to that it's more appealing than the ground outside of it. Is it too hot, too cold, a weird texture, too hard, ect... Pay attention to the types of surfaces pup tends to prefer to lie on and try to mimic that using something like a bed or crate pad. If you need something less soft, non-absorbent, or cool, www.primopads.com or k9ballistics.com have crate pads. Otherwise, a soft bed might be preferable if they don't tend to chew bedding. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello Luis, First, pay attention to the temperature under the porch vs. dog house. Is the dog house hot inside? If so, work on modifying the dog house or location of it to make the temperature more comfortable. You can also sprinkle treats or dog food stuffed durable chew toy in the dog house when other animals are not around, for pup to find periodically, to get pup into the habit of checking in there on their own, in hopes of finding a reward. Finally, you may need to block off the access to the porch for pup to choose the dog house. Be sure that the dog house is a comfortable temperature though first. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello Shannon, What's the weather like where you are? If the weather outside is nice, pup probably won't be motivated to go inside the dog house either way. If pup still won't go in despite cold or rainy weather, it probably is a fear issue. Honestly, the type of dog house you are using could be the issue. Without knowing more specifics I can't offer too much guidance. Making the dog house warmer, adding rewards like the bone you mentioned inside the dog house, and pup having a reason to retreat to the dog house are all factors to getting pup to use the dog house. If pup has a doggie friend, having the other dog spend some time in the dog house could help build your dogs confidence. Try putting a bone into the dog house for another, bolder dog to go into the house and chew on. You can even tie the bone to the back of the dog house so that is can only be chewed by a dog who is staying in the dog house. Be careful how you tie the bone, you want to tie it so that the string isn't where the dog can easily get to to also chew on and potentially ingest though. Check out this article for additional things you can try. Not every dog responds to the same methods unfortunately, which is why Wag includes three methods for most articles. You may have to try a few different things before you find what works for your pup. Practice each method for at least three days before trying something else though. https://www.centralparkpaws.net/dog-houses/train-dog-use-doghouse/ Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello, I suggest leaving something wonderful I'm the dog house for him. You may need to physically attach it to the inside of the dog house with a chew proof piece of string so that he has to be in the dog house to chew on it. A food stuffed kong is one option. A hollow cow long bone stuffed with his food. An automatic treat dispensing device like Auto Trainer or Pet Tutor. Those thing will help him feel at ease in the house so that he will be willing to go in when the weather is bad Many dogs do not spend time in a dog house when the weather is fine though because they want to be able to better view or protect the yard and the dog house prevents them from seeing out. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden