I have a mixed breed dog, approx. 1 year old. He needed a larger house, and I found one at a yardsale which I thought would suit him well. He refuses to sleep in it! I've tried cleaning it extensively to remove the smell of the previous dog, but he still refuses. Does anyone have any ideas?
2006-07-27 03:50:17 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
Common problem. He can smell hundreds of times better than you do. It is marked territory. get another doghouse that is new, or build him one.
2006-07-27 03:54:54 · answer #1 · answered by yes_its_me 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Does he sleep on a blanket regularly? Maybe he has some toys that he plays with constantly?
Try claiming the space as his using these items.
Or, let him sleep on a towel for a few nights, then lay the towel on the floor of the doghouse. He will feel more comfortable if it is marked as his territory already.
He can, most likely still smell the other dog on the house. You will need to get his scent in there too, and to a higher degree than the previous dog. Once you have done this, instinct should kick in more and he will feel like the dominant male: it will become his house.
2006-07-27 03:55:23 · answer #2 · answered by namelessnomad4 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your pup will probably eventually get used to it. Is he still sleeping in the old, smaller doghouse? A lot of dogs like that tightly enclosed space and may refuse to change, even if it looks like he's uncomfortable! To get him used to the new doghouse, try putting an old blanket or towels on the bottom of it to make it enticingly comfortable. Toss in a few treats so he'll want to explore the inside of the doghouse on his own.
2006-07-27 04:03:06 · answer #3 · answered by SM 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your dog is problay not used to it. Try this: put a couple of his favorite treats in the doghouse. Tell him to come in. When he comes in, give him the treats. Slowly but surely, the dog will come in the dog house. Also, sometimes dogs will just not want to sleep there. Find the dogs favorite spot to sleep and replace it with the doghouse or put the doghouse over it. But, there is always a posiblity the dog just doesn't wanna sleep in it.
2006-07-27 03:58:29 · answer #4 · answered by Alexandria G 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would say that he is just not wanting to go in it because of smelling the other dog. This may or may not wear off. try putting thigs that belong to him in the dog house. Putting woodchips in there might help also. And this maybe sound gross, but if you have other bedding that the dog sleeps on, rub it on the dog house. If that does not work and your dog is stubborn then you might have to just get him a new dog house. More then likely though all your dog needs is time.
2006-07-27 05:59:12 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No dog should be in a house outside all day-all night/new law states "Chain-Off" to stop sickos like you that are devoid of love and will not give up animal to loving family/if you're tired of cleaning up/Walk your dog! Now i know why this is PeopleProblem as they say!Refuses to sleep in it?Bec/ it is not "his smell" Smell is their instinct!Besides the many other senses God gave them!Oh that poor dog, and the issues you are giving him in this heat too! How unluck did this dog end up?My idea is why is he NOT in your home?Forcing him to sleep in ahouse that sickenes him?If it were you you would simply change situation/Rather you have no business having a dog/subjecting it to your immaturuty and wasting time wheather or not to do this or that!???His larger house should be YOUR house one year old and This is the beginning of his life w/ likes of you? what can you possibly say? who gave him to you? These shelters are working hard rather the rules ARE not them when it comes to adopting-out/an issue!Background checks like childen are on the same page HumaneAssociation!-not society in this case/ I cannot beleive what i am hearing!! upset my day!
2006-07-27 04:15:32 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Put a familiar blanket in it. It may just be that it's too hot right now, and he'll take to it when he needs it for warmth.
You can also try putting up a partition inside the doghouse to make the space smaller. Dogs like a tight, cozy space like a den. It makes them feel safe and it is easier for them to heat with their bodies.
2006-07-27 04:08:09 · answer #7 · answered by drumrchick 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Put things in it that he knows: his personal blanket, his pillow, his toys, whatever he might have, especially from the old doghouse.. Crawl in there yourself and hug him for an hour. Praise him a lot when he goes in and when he stays in, with lots of doggie treats. Give him treats and praise when you are in there too. Or are you too big? Do your best, maybe just head and arms. Maybe do this for several days-- the old doghouse must be GONE for any of this to work-- and give him no alternative except to sleep outside. It'll work after a while-- and continue with the treats when he goes in and when he lies down, for several weeks, then just sometimes but always with praise. You can hold him down while you praise him too. Or shove him in and praise him. And treat him.
2006-07-27 04:00:32 · answer #8 · answered by usmousie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some dogs simply don't like sleeping in doghouses. My parents have a dog who looks like a greyhound, or a greyhound mix, who refuses to use her doghouse even when it rains: She'll get us to bring her in instead. Once in a blue moon she'll use it, but she won't be happy about it.
2006-07-27 03:59:03 · answer #9 · answered by Tigger 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The dog might not like what you did with the house or maybe the previous dog did something to it. My advice to you is that maybe try to put some food or toy in the house and maybe it will go in there.
2006-07-27 03:57:30 · answer #10 · answered by jason 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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2016-11-03 02:49:37 · answer #11 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋