10 Reasons to Kennel Your Dog (And, No, It’s Not Mean at All)

If you’ve ever felt a little guilty about kenneling your dog while you’re away, we get, but kenneling can actually be one of the kindest, safest choices for them. 

Here are 10 reasons every pawrent should consider making the kennel a part of their routine:

🗑️ 1. Keeps Them Out of Trouble (and the Trash)

Dogs’ curiosity sometimes leads straight to the garbage can. Kenneling helps prevent your pup from getting into something dangerous like food that’s toxic to them, toxic cleaning supplies, rodent poisons, or food or packaging that could cause gastrointestinal upset, perforation or obstruction.

🧹 2. Avoids Messes and Surprises

Even the best-behaved dogs can get bored, curious or frustrated. Kenneling can save your furniture, rugs, and priceless momentous from the occasional, “I got bored or mad, so I shredded a pillow” moment. You do not want to come home from work or a fun day out to a gigantic mess to clean up. 

💸 3. Protects Your Stuff (and Your Memories)

You work hard for your things, and some things are simply irreplaceable. Kenneling keeps your pup from accidentally destroying doors, couches, or sentimental items. 

These moments can not only mean destruction of your belongings but also time-sensitive trips to the vet for bowel obstruction. 

🚪 4. Keeps Them Safely Inside

Door dashers, this one’s for you! Kenneling prevents your dog from bolting out the front door when a guest arrives, a delivery driver knocks, or you’re juggling groceries. 

🏡 5. Prepares for Visitors or Home Projects

Not everyone is comfortable around dogs, and some situations mean it’s safer for your dogs to be in a kennel. A kennel gives you a thoughtful,  safe way to separate your pup during visits from people with allergies or fears of dogs, or during furniture moves, visits by utility company representatives, deep cleans, or renovations.

🛏️ 6. Gives Them a Safe Space of Their Own

Dogs aurally love having a cozy place that’s all theirs. Their kennel becomes a familiar, comforting space for rest, meals, and quiet time. We do not suggest adding any toys, as time with toys and bones should be monitored. 

🩺 7. Makes Vet Visits Less Stressful

If your dog already feels comfortable in a kennel, boarding, grooming, or vet stays will be much less scary for them. These times are inevitable. And your vet team will thank you. 

🔥 8. Prevents Accidents You’d Never Expect

Believe it or not, dogs have accidentally started house fires by bumping stove knobs or knocking over candles. Kenneling reduces the risk of these unlikely but possible accidents.

💤 9. Supports Calm and Structure

Routine gives dogs comfort, and kennel time can actually help you establish a routine for both of you. It also helps them learn how to settle and gives you some decompression time at the end of the day and in the early morning.  

🦴 10. Helps With Multi-Dog Households

If you have more than one pup or visiting dog friends, kenneling helps avoid resource guarding over toys, space and food. As a multi-dog household, each dog having his or her kennel brings a tremendous amount of peace to our dinner and bedtime routines. Our dogs happily trot into their kennels, knowing their places of comfort and where their food and rest needs are met. 

The Bottom Kennel Line

Kenneling is about security, safety, routine, comfort and preparing for inevitable situations. It’s a tool that actually helps dogs live best lives and can help give you a sense of security. 

We wish you and your dog many happy (safe) days. 🩵