Indoor Dog Kennels

Once I realized all the dogs I'd ever had sought out den-like places to sleep and feel secure, it was a no brainer. The top favorite? Under the coffee table. It gave them a sense of security while being next to anyone watching television. A few other favorites have been under my desk (especially while I'm working at it), and under the kitchen table.

A few love to be under a blanket or seek out a bathroom or laundry room floor IF it is near me. See what I mean?

I started using indoor dog kennels when I lost my mind and ended up with Helen, my Pit Bull and three growing puppies. Boy did they get into things when we were away.

Using Crates for Safety and Peace of Mind

The final clincher was coming home one night to a sight I'll never forget. Somehow a feather quilt and a jar of peanut butter were left in the living room.

Three busy puppies tore the quilt to shreds. The jar of peanut butter was chewed up and stuck to everything while a cloud of feathers covered the entire floor and several feathers flitted about in the air.

The mess did clean up; the pups smelled like peanut butter for awhile and stray feathers were found for weeks. The important part? I realized how lucky we were that the puppies hadn't chewed up wires or something else that might have actually killed them.

Kennels entered our lives and here's what happened. The dogs were all still together but couldn't destroy anything. They had blankets and chew toys and knew once we got home, playtime would begin. And it did!

"Accidents" were practically non existent. After all, who wants to pee or poop and stay next to it? Yuck. If I had to do it all over again, I would have added an indoor dog potty to each crate.

When NOT to Use an Indoor Dog Crate

Kenneling or crating a dog should never be used instead of training and should never be used as punishment.

Dog Crate Training

Dog crate training is fairly simple. Set up your crate and leave the door open for your dog to explore. Never force your dog into the crate or he will not like it. I'm sure you don't want to be chasing him around trying to catch him and get him in the kennel when you should be headed out the door. It will stress you both out!

You can add a dog blanket or a favorite toy to let him know it's his special place. You can also put a treat in it or feed him in it while you leave the door open.

The point is to make it a happy, comfortable place.

Once he is used to it, close the door for a little while. If he fusses, ignore him. (If you sweet talk him when he's fussing I promise he will continue to fuss and probably get louder.) If he doesn't fuss, praise him! Open the door and walk away.

It's best to use the kennel when your dog is tired. Walk him and give him some exercise before you crate him and leave the house so he will be more apt to sleep instead of whine and bark.

Choosing a Dog Crate Size

You dog should be able to comfortably stand, turn and spread out in a lounging position. By choosing a dog crate size by a height a few inches taller than his head, the rest of the measurements should be fine.

Where to Put Your Indoor Dog Kennel

If you have a small dog and can easily move the crate around the house, this won't be much of a concern. Just remember to keep it out of direct afternoon sunlight since he won't be able to get away once it heats up.

If you don't want your dog to sleep with you, having a kennel in your bedroom is a good choice. You can still share the same space without sharing your pillow or having your legs go to sleep if you have a large dog. (Mine used to pile on ME and 260 pounds of dog on a person does not make her wake up very chipper.)

Also if you have a basic indoor dog kennel as big as a piece of furniture, it looks darn ugly in the living room.

If I had a small dog, I would have one crate in the bedroom and one in the living room. Especially once you've seen dog crate furniture used as a nightstand or an end table. Very cool.

Shopping Note: While I try to get you value for your money, prices can change. Here is another link where some of the same kennels are sold. Some of these Dog Crates and Kennels ship for free.

No Room for Indoor Dog Kennels?

If you have several dogs, lack space and still want to confine your canines, check out Indoor Dog Gates. Like the dog crate furniture, there are some really pretty gates out there that go beyond plastic and metal and actually go with your decor! We can ooh and aah at them together.

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