Why won’t my dog go in his doghouse? Here’s What to Do Next

Dogs Won’t Use A Doghouse If They’re Used to Staying Indoors

If a dog has been raised indoors and is being moved outdoors where they’ll need to use a doghouse, they may throw the equivalent of a child’s tantrum if they’re asked to stay outdoors in inclement weather rather than being allowed to come inside.

In this case, a dog may not be afraid of their doghouse, and it might be perfectly comfortable; they just think if they beg long and hard enough, they will be allowed inside the house. In this case, the only way to get the dog to use the doghouse is to stand firm and require the dog to stay outside as long as the temperature stays above 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

Here are some ways to help get your dog accustomed to staying outdoors even if they’re used to staying inside:

Make sure the dog gets plenty of social interaction and exercise – both mental and physical. Dogs that don’t get enough time with their humans will be desperate to stay as close to their people as possible, even if they are bored or frustrated from being ignored. Don’t leave your dog alone to rest in their doghouse unless they have been given adequate exercise and attention.

Ignore your dog’s whining or crying. Unless it is freezing outside, your dog will not die of heartbreak or exposure if they get a little wet from being left outside in the rain. Reiterate to your dog that they should seek shelter in their doghouse if they are standing by the back door; otherwise, don’t acknowledge requests to come inside.

Reward your dog whenever they stop trying to come inside. This can teach your dog that it’s a good thing when they’re placed outdoors. As the dog becomes more used to staying outdoors without crying, you can wean them off food rewards for their good behavior by substituting praise instead.

It can be hard to train a dog to stay outside if they are used to staying indoors, as this abrupt separation can make the dog feel like they’ve done something wrong. But turning it into a positive experience with plenty of treats and praise (and ignoring the dog when they beg to come in) can help them get used to staying in their doghouse more quickly.

Dogs Won’t Use Doghouses That Aren’t the Right Size

Size is an integral part of choosing a doghouse your dog will use—if you choose a doghouse that is either too small or too large, your dog may avoid it. Since dogs will usually only use their doghouse when it’s cold or rainy, they need a house that is relatively small to conserve their body heat and keep the space warm.

However, dogs need a doghouse big enough for them to stand up and turn around easily. Some dogs may feel uncomfortable in small, confined spaces. If your dog flat-out refuses to get into a smaller doghouse, you may want to consider upgrading to a larger model to see if the size is an issue.

Doghouses should be roughly 25% longer and wider than the length of the dog from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail. Here’s how to figure out the size you should aim for when buying a doghouse (Source: Hayneedle):

Get a measuring tape and measure your dog from the nose to the base of the tail. It may be helpful to get another person to hold the dog steady if they are hyper or excited by the process of being measured.

Take the number you get from measuring your dog and multiply it by 1.25. This represents a 25% increase from the size of your dog.

The resulting number is the width and length you should aim for when looking at doghouse sizes. For example, if your dog’s size measures 48 inches and your recommended doghouse size is 60 inches (a 25% increase from 48), you should look for a doghouse 60 inches wide and 60 inches long.

Knowing the recommended size for your dog’s doghouse before you get one is a great way to help you narrow down your search. Don’t buy a doghouse without measuring your dog unless you want to go through the trouble of having to try to return it or sell it to someone else.

Why does my dog not want to sleep in his kennel?

At a certain age, your dog might fear that he can’t make it outside on time, anymore. Or worse, he already had to pee in his crate because he actually had to go at night. For an older dog, joint problems could also be the reason that he’s not comfortable in his crate anymore.

Training to use the doghouse

There was a time my little doggy did not want to sleep in her dog house which I couldn’t find the reasons in the beginning.

So, I thought maybe thousands of dog parents are facing the problem in which the dog won’t sleep in her dog’s house. Are you one of the thousands too?

A dog may refuse to sleep in the dog house due to uncomfortable location, separation anxiety, lack of space, extreme temperatures, or being used to living inside the house. Dogs can be trained to sleep in the dog house with positive reinforcement, making it comfortable & providing treats & toys.