Kennel Trouble

[claire4867]

Hi, so we got a Pyr puppy (after our 15+ year old lab/pyr passed away) and she's fantastic. Has little trouble going to the bathroom outside, doesn't bite, chews very little. She's a dream for the most part, until we have to put her in the kennel at night, she barks and howls for a good hour- hour and a half before she's asleep. It must be a Pyr thing, because my old dog I mentioned above was like that. We'd have to lock her in the garage if it was raining/snowing and she'd bark all night.


I would let her sleep outside because she was kept out in a barn with her siblings before we got her, but people in our neighborhood have been prone to coming into our yard for god knows what reason, and plus she's so young (7 weeks)

Long story short, will she ever get used to the kennel? Should I take the risk of putting her outside? My family hasn't been very happy being woken up.

 

[cassie]

Why don't you try putting a hot dog or something in the kennel when you lock her up? A chew toy might be helpful too. She wants to be with her people. Locking her in the kennel makes her feel isolated. However, having a puppy loose in the house all night isn't a good option either.

 

[ashlandco]

My pyr mix did that, but he’s about 5-6 months old now and doesn’t sleep in a kennel anymore, but it was a problem for me too

 

[claire4867]

My pyr mix did that, but he’s about 5-6 months old now and doesn’t sleep in a kennel anymore, but it was a problem for me too

If she was older I'd certainly let her sleep outside, as she's so much happier that way. But she's just so young to be out in the yard on her own /:

 

[claire4867]

Why don't you try putting a hot dog or something in the kennel when you lock her up? A chew toy might be helpful too. She wants to be with her people. Locking her in the kennel makes her feel isolated. However, having a puppy loose in the house all night isn't a good option either.

I've tried putting bully sticks in when I put her in, but she completely ignores any thing used as a distraction. Cmart little bugger.

 

[dpenning]

You need to work with her to get her used to the kennel in short spurts. get her to go in on her own by throwing treats in there. When she will respond to the kennel command to go in willingly start closing the door briefly while feeding her treats. slowly work to the point where you can close the door for a few minutes and only open it when she is quiet. Build up the time. Do these exercises several times a day for just a few minutes.

Ultimately she will quit and get used to it but she is a baby, just yanked away from her siblings and the only life she has known. You may also try putting a stuffed animal in with her at night to give her something to snuggle up with but please make sure it is a dog specific toy and not a teddy bear with plastic eyes or something that can be chewed off and choked on. Ultimately it will just take time and lots of love and patience.

Good luck! Pictures would not be inappropriate.

 

[Folly's place]

Also, feed her in her crate so it's a wonderful place to be!
Mary

 

[ashlandco]

If she was older I'd certainly let her sleep outside, as she's so much happier that way. But she's just so young to be out in the yard on her own /:

Mine doesn’t sleep outside, which is probably why he doesn’t sleep in a kennel but yeah I agree with you

 

[Justso]

In the old days, they would recommend putting in a ticking clock. Lol!
Nowadays maybe YouTube would work.

 

[MargaretAnneHK]

The only way I was ever able to get this to stop was make myself ignore the barking-howling, because any bit of attention made it worse. However, I have heard Pyrs are prone to barking at night. Maybe chew toys? Or where she doesnt feel likes shes alone? Other than these ideas I have no clue.