A crate or kennel can be an invaluable tool when it comes to house training your Boston Terrier. But before you can begin reinforcing positive behavior with treats and rewards, you have to make sure your pup is comfortable in their new space.
Here are a few tips on how to introduce your Boston Terrier to a new crate or kennel.
Step by Step – Introducing Your Boston Terrier To A Kennel
Step 1: Placing The Kennel In The Proper Place
Place the kennel in an area of the home where your pup feels safe and secure—for example, near their bedding or favorite toys. This will help them associate their crate with comfort and familiarity rather than fear or anxiety.
Step 2: Get Your Boston Inside
Once the kennel is in place, start luring your Boston inside it with treats and rewards. You want them to associate the crate with something positive—so give them plenty of praise and attention when they enter the crate voluntarily (don’t forget those treats!).
Step 3: Get Them Used To Being In The Crate
Gradually increase the amount of time your Boston spends in their new space, beginning with short intervals of five minutes at first and then increasing as they become more comfortable being inside the crate.
Step 4: Monitor Your Boston Terrier
If at any point during this process your pup shows signs of distress—biting the kennel or other aggressive behaviors take them out of the kennel.
Step 5: Don’t Use The Kennel Punishment
One thing I never did with Bella, my Boston Terrier, was use her kennel as a form of punishment for bad behavior. Bella sleeps in her kennel every single night and has done so since she was eight weeks old. It is literally her bed. I wanted her to have a positive association with the kennel, and this is why we never placed her in the kennel for doing things like terry apart the trash, lol
Tips On Training Your Dog To Kennel
1. Start with short periods of time in the kennel.
2. Put something in the kennel that your dog enjoys, such as a toy or treat.
3. Give your dog a cue to enter the kennel, such as “kennel up” or “go to your bed”.
4. Reward your dog for entering the kennel and remaining calm.
5. gradually increase the amount of time your dog spends in the kennel.
6. Once your dog is comfortable spending time in the kennel, you can begin leaving the house for short periods of time.
7. If your dog begins to bark or whine while in the kennel, remain calm and wait for him to settle down before letting him out.
8. Never use the kennel as a punishment.
9. Be consistent with your rules and commands.
10. Have patience and remain positive throughout the training process
Final Thoughts
Introducing a Boston Terrier puppy to a new crate or kennel doesn’t have to be stressful for either pet parent or pup! With patience, consistency, and plenty of rewarding treats and praise, you’ll soon have a happy little bundle of joy who loves spending time in their special spot just as much as they love snuggling up next to you on the couch. Good luck!
If you want to learn more commands and tricks you can teach your Boston Terrier, be sure to visit our article, 49 Commands And Tricks You Can Teach Your Boston!