To Kennel or Not to Kennel - Page 1

Hi
I need some opinions on experience with Kenneling.
Do you kennel your dogs before and after training?
Do you kennel dogs all the time?
Do you kennel dogs part time during the day and at night house them?
Just wondering the pros and cons, and if you have suggestions.
I think I am maybe keeping my dog inside too much.
And does anyone think kennel keeping is going to increase drives?
Just a subject I know someone did ask but haven't seen it posted.
thanks to all.

My dogs stay in the house. A dog stuck in the back yard is not protection for me, unless I'm out there too. The bad guys can simply go through the front door. All it can do is bark, while the bad guys are doing what they want in the house.....

I kennel while feeding to avoid food steeling and fighting. Somethimes before training and while training so I can work one at a time, I have 4 dog. They are kenneled when I don't wnat them under foot, house cleaning for instance. Most are kenneled when I'm at work, or when I'm doing somethig that requires the entrance doors to be open - bringing in groceries, etc. Don't trust the puppies with an unattended open door yet. Most are free in the bedroom when I'm sleeping, they are not allowed on the bed. When a visitors come, if there not comfortable with dogs, the dogs go in a kennel.

I have a doggie door and the dogs are allowed to come and go as they wish, some like to stay our longer then others, one hates the outdoors, one would rather stay out.

My dogs are involved in SchH, but I'm not rabid about it.

Dogs need much exersise. I take mine on a one mile (at least) off leash almost every day (the dogs do about 2 or 3 miles). This keeps them trim and happy. Sometimes I'll throw a ball and they will bring it back, sometimes we work on recalls, sometimes the just run like they've never run before. Its great fun and it helps with SchH training.

Increase drives by skillfully playing tug of war with them. Get DVD's on this if you're not having any luck building drive. Some dogs just don't have it in them.

great article on this topic in the current SchH USA magazine with perspective from a number of well-known successful competitiors.

My Dogs have lived out doors in Kennels and runs for the 50 plus years i have kept them they can play in the garden for a short time when i am with them otherwise unless they are out at walks or being trained they stay in the Kennel
Never any health worries no Vets bills other than the normal Vaccs and usual things but the dogs stay fit and well living out doors, No central heating to put up with
A House is acclimatised for human habitation, and the way we live is not the same as a Dog would prefer 
No matter what may be said on here, A Dog is a Dog and does not have the same needs as a human
Steve

 I have two GSD living in the house one airedale and a teckel..The others are in a kennel but they come in the house everyday when we are at home. During the day they are in large fenced area (about one acre) that is part gravel part grass and trees.They can come in the kennel if they want cause it is adjacent to the area.  We have ten individual runs with in-out doors so some are kept in there (barkers or too young bitch in seasons).  They even have a pound on the land. GSD love the outdoor so I feel it's important they have enough exercice and space to feel free and not frustrated. They are  all sleeping inside the kennel(except the house dogs) except for one GSD who is left to feel free to go inside or stay out.

I like having dogs in the house..for protection but even more  for the companionship..I love living amongs them.

I think a kennel is very useful.  But you still have to take care of your dogs! the problem is some people who just leave the dogs there on their own in small runs doing nothing everyday.  Now I find that is very sad for the dogs..They need to be stimulated either living inside or outside..Not better for dogs being inside and never do anything either..

You have dogs..get off your butts and go play or train or just walk..but do something with them..That the key to have well balance dogs IMO

Thanks to all of those who posted.
I might post this again to get some more views later today.
I just got back from tracking and other stuff.
I know this was subject the new magazine. But, I have pondered this subject in my mind many
times.
I wanted to leave my preferences out to get some ideals in general.
I have tried both methods. Just leaving them in the kennel to work, play and free time.
I have tried to let dog run on my acre of land and then come in for the night to rest / be near
me. We have a very close bond.
But, I do crate her when I am gone to town or such. I do crate her after work outs. And of course to work
outs. It is for her safety.:)
I have had a couple of bad experiences with kenneling a dog during the day and put him in a laundry room at
night. He hated it, he paced all day and went nuts. He ended up skinny as bone. And so it worried me so
I just left the door open and fenced the whole yard in.
I just wondered if anyone was into kenneling and only letting them out to train and free time.
And if people thought it best for working dogs to mainly stay outside except to train or play.
My dog would rather be out when it is say above 20 degrees. She doesn't like to stay in and drives me nuts being
inside on bad days. Throwing a kong or tug at me every 3 minutes. Then on good days if I don't put her out as much she lays there looking like she is going to go nuts, her head is all twisted the wrong way and keeps heaving heavily as if to say to me, I am going to die.She'll do that and then her eyes are big and sad. So, I think I need to put her outside more.And maybe she does that because she is bored and wants to work more. I go working with her several times during the week and on the week ends weather permitting. I just don't want anything to happen to her. I have great neighbors now. And they know my fence is the line.
She is very nice dog, just wanted to hear some views on the matter and how your dogs are maintained.
I am always open to suggestions.

I will be back later. I have a few things to do.
Thanks for the input folks:)

Kennel is a good thing to have, I don't do 24/7 Kennel as Steve, but during the day my dog's are out, at night when I am not home same thing, when I am home they with me, unless they being pain in behind. I have to have options open to me, it's hard to transition dog from kennel to home so I like doing both, in today's economy it is important to have options, apartments, or renting a room may be cheaper and it's good when dog is tought from early on how to behave in the house.

My 5 1/2 mo old GSD bitch lives inside with us.  She has her crate that is always open so she can come and go as she likes.  She has no problem going into her crate on demand.  Sometimes she just wants to be alone in her crate.  Sometimes we put her in there when we need her out from underfoot.  She has spent every night in her crate until this week when we decided to see how she would behave with no supervision during the night.  She passed with flying colors!!  I have been recuperating from surgery so I sleep on the recliner for now and my husband has the bed to himself.  Echo sleeps next to my chair all night with an occassional check on Paul.  (I'm a very light sleeper)  Since we taught her to bark when she needs to go outside to potty we have had no accidents.  The crate is very useful in training or for necessary confinement.
We tried to kennel our other GSD bitch, Airin and she paced all night.  Being a pack animal she wanted to be with her new pack.  We ended up bringing her inside and never regretted it.  We didn't even have a crate at that time.  I guess I should mention she was 18 mo when we got her.  When we decided to go on a trip and take her with us we bought a crate and barely got it put together when she claimed it.  She was obviously used to a crate from her previous life and sought shelter in it. 
I have had people scold me for putting my dog in the crate but I know my dogs and have no problem using it.  We dismantled the kennel and sold it years ago because our old girl, Airin hated it so.  I guess IMO, no to kennel and yes to crate.  Teach your dog to respect your property and give it the run of the house.  Teach it to let you kow when it needs out either to potty or just romp around.  We find much joy in having our girl in the house with us at all times.  I can't imagine leaving her outside. 
I do agree with Steve1's comment about a dog is a dog.  Just because Echo lives inside with us doesn't mean we treat her any differently.  We have friends who treat their dogs like little people and it just ain't right.  If I wanted to have children I would have but I chose to have dogs.  Dogs are more loyal.  Hope that doesn't sound harsh but we are different species and I respect that.  This is just my opinion for what it's worth.  You have to do what works best for you and your dog.

Deb