Research shows that humans thrive on structure and routine. While it’s important to leave room for a little spontaneity, most of us do best when our days have a pre-determined order to them. Did you know that the same holds true for your pup?

Part of bonding with your furry friend is establishing a daily routine that you can both enjoy and look forward to. Ideally, this should include plenty of time for eating, sleeping, exercising, and the best part—spending quality time with one another.

Today, we’re sharing how to establish a schedule for dogs that will benefit their physical, mental, and emotional health. These activities can add variety and stimulation to the day, optimizing their overall well-being, especially for pups that spend the majority of the day in dog kennels.

The Value of Consistency

While it’s important to create a daily routine for your pup, it’s even more critical to create one that you know you can stick to. It’s easy to get overly ambitious when designing their day, only to realize that the steps you’ve scheduled won’t exactly work with your lifestyle.

To make sure your pup stays comfortable and doesn’t get overly anxious or stressed, try to keep your setup as consistent as possible. Make sure they have time each day for the four following activities:

• Feeding
• Walking
• Exercise
• Playing

As you’re crafting your plan, remember that each dog and pet parent are unique. While these are the necessities for a dog’s well-being, it’s important to be realistic and adaptable when necessary. For instance, if you work an overnight shift, you may need to adjust your morning schedule to the afternoon. As long as you’re predictable and steady with that routine, your dog should be able to adapt.

Remember to keep things realistic and make sure that you can maintain the setup that you’ve designed. If you can, it will be much easier to stick with the schedule once it’s in place.

Feeding and Watering

Most dogs benefit from eating two times each day with about eight to twelve hours in between each feeding. For most people, this will mean feeding their pup once in the morning and once in the evening. However, some smaller breeds and more active dogs may do better with smaller meals given more frequently, which can keep their blood sugar levels more consistent.

During each mealtime, remember to allocate plenty of time for your pup to use the potty after they eat. You may also need to walk them around a little before they’re ready to go. This way, you can avoid any accidents after they’ve finished digesting their kibble.

While this may hinge on your work schedule, try to avoid feeding your dog right before bedtime. They need time to move around a little and settle their stomachs before they’re ready to settle down for the night.

In terms of water, most experts recommend that your dog consume one ounce of water per pound of body weight each day. When developing your dog’s feeding schedule, add a reminder to check their water bowl. They should have access to fresh, clean water throughout the day.

For dogs in single kennels, this will require frequent checks to make sure their water levels are where they should be. If the outdoor temperature rises above 80 degrees Fahrenheit, they need water more often, and in greater amounts.

Snacks

Your dog’s main meals will be in the morning and evening. However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t give them anything else throughout the day. Running around dog kennels all day can make pups tired, and snacks can help replenish their nutrients and restore their energy.

While you can find plenty of healthy treats on the market, you can also hold back a little of their kibble and use that as a snack. This helps space out their caloric intake so they aren’t getting too much all at once. You can also use their food as a reward when they complete a stimulating activity, such as a food puzzle.

Incorporating snacks into your dog feeding schedule not only incentivizes good behavior, but it can also help them stay full throughout the day!

Daily Physical Exercise

Dogs kept in single kennels will get a good amount of exercise while exploring their grounds every day. However, it’s still important to set aside dedicated time for play.

There’s no exact time when this needs to happen, but the important thing is to make time for it every day. This might mean taking your pup for a quick walk right when you get home from work or during your lunch break. You may be able to squeeze in a game of catch in the evening or take a neighborhood stroll in the morning.

Each dog will have its own unique needs in terms of the amount and duration of exercise that it requires. Keeping your own schedule in mind, try to give your canine multiple bouts of activity instead of one single session. Three 10-to-15-minute periods are usually more effective than one 30-minute period.

As you plan your dog’s exercise routine, remember to keep their temperament in mind. If they tend to react negatively when they see another pup, it might be easier to walk them in the early morning or later in the evening. Try to avoid strenuous exercise right before or after mealtime to avoid dangerous conditions such as gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) or bloat.

Types of Exercise

While walking is one common dog exercise, it’s far from the only one. If you don’t live in a walkable neighborhood, don’t worry. There are lots of other ways you can give your pup a great workout that stimulates their body and mind.

For instance, you can teach your dog a trick or practice simple obedience skills. Both of these activities allow you to bond and provide excellent stimulation. Remember to take your pet’s unique senses and capabilities into consideration, especially for senior dogs.

Look for ways to get creative with exercise, and remember to add a little play in there, too! Exercise should go hand-in-hand with a healthy dog feeding schedule so you can make sure your pup is staying physically fit.

Mental Stimulation

Walking, playing, and spending time outdoors are great ways to help your dog exercise. These activities keep their mind and body engaged while allowing you both to spend quality one-on-one time together. If possible, you can also incorporate dedicated time into your pet’s routine for mental stimulation.

This can be as simple as letting your dog sniff and explore while you go for a walk. You can also give them a puzzle toy that requires them to unlock a compartment before they are rewarded with a healthy treat. You could even set up a puppy obstacle course to strengthen their agility and mobility.

Not sure where to start? Here’s a list of the best brain games for dogs, straight from an expert.

As far as how much time to allot to this activity, each dog is different. Active, adult working dogs—such as German Shepherds—will naturally require more mental stimulation per day than a newborn puppy. While the best amount for your dog will depend on their age, breed, and temperament, puppies usually only need 15 to 30 minutes while adult dogs can tolerate more.

Sleep Routine

A healthy schedule for dogs should include plenty of time for your precious pup to rest. It’s easy to overlook sleep when you’re scheduling out your pet’s day, but this downtime shouldn’t be overlooked.

Plenty of sleep is critical to dog well-being, but again, that can look different for each one. The age, size, breed, and overall health of your pup will determine how much shut-eye they need each night. Most dogs will sleep between 12 to 14 hours each night, though this number can be much higher for puppies.

If your puppy sleeps most of the day, you might find that they’re more active at night. Once they’re a little bigger and you can establish a daily schedule for them, you should be able to keep them on a normal rest/wake cycle. Give your dog their own bed and place to sleep, making sure their environment is as comfortable and cozy as possible.

Grooming Practices

Of course, your dog’s schedule should also include practices designed to keep them looking their best. Good hygiene habits are essential to their health, and will not add too much time to their routine.

Your dog’s breed will play a role in how often you need to groom them. Certain breeds—such as poodles—will require more frequent sessions than other, more low-maintenance breeds. General hygienic practices you can perform regularly include:

• Nail trimming
• Teeth brushing
• Ear cleaning
• Coat brushing

All dogs need these routines, regardless of their breed. While you can perform many of these tasks yourself at home, you can also take your pup to a professional groomer. You can rest assured that they will have the proper tools, knowledge, and experience and that your dog will look wonderful after their appointment.

At-home grooming practices can include brushing, bathing, and dental care. Make sure you’re using the correct gear (e.g. doggy toothbrushes) to keep your pup safe. While regular bathing is a critical part of canine hygiene, take care not to bathe your dog too much, which could strip their fur of its nourishing, natural oils.

Socialization Opportunities

Pups in single kennels may be at home for periods throughout the day. Whether you work in an office all day or you can be at home for part of the time, there will be periods when they’ll be alone. This is why it’s important to build socialization time into the schedule for your dogs.

There are many different ways to do this, depending on what your schedule (and your dog’s temperament) will allow. Some ways you can expose your pet to social situations and build their tolerance for other animals and people include:

• Dog parks
• Doggy play dates
• Puppy classes
• Walks in a public space

Take it slow and try to not give your pet too much stimulation, or too fast. Keep small treats on hand to offer as a reward when they successfully handle a social situation. Remember that they can read your temperament, and if you’re nervous about a new encounter, they’re more likely to react the same way.

The earlier you can gently expose your dog to a variety of people, places, and situations, the easier it will be for them to socialize down the road. It will also play a role in how their temperament develops. While socialization is easiest to grasp in the puppy stage, older dogs can still learn to navigate new situations with confidence.

Slowly introduce your dog to new sights, smells, and sounds. Be sure to supervise them closely and emphasize positivity through praise and treats.

Establish a Healthy Schedule for Dogs

You love your pup and want them to feel healthy from the inside out. The key is to give them a foundation based on nourishing daily habits. From physical exercise and stimulation to consistent feeding and positive socialization, many factors play a role in dog well-being.

By prioritizing a consistent schedule for dogs, you can give your pet a lifetime of health and happiness. At Benchmark Kennels, we’re here to help. We offer a variety of kennel options, from six-bay to single kennels, designed to keep your pet happy and safe. To learn more, contact us!

According to the World Animal Foundation, more than half of the adults living in the UK own a pet. About 27% of these pets are dogs with about 13 million dogs living in the UK.

If you recently brought home a new dog, you should look into providing your four-legged friend with a kennel. One of these single dog kennels would be a fantastic option for your dog. They’re the best types of kennels for those with just one dog living in their homes.

But you won’t be able to simply put a dog into a kennel and expect them to know what to do right away. To make the most of the benefits of kennels, you’ll need to train your dog so they react in the right way when you put them into a kennel.

Are you ready to put a kennel training routine into place for your new dog? Here are tips that’ll help you get the job done.

Learn About the Benefits of Kennels for Dogs

Some people don’t automatically love the idea of using single dog kennels for their new dogs. They don’t like the thought of putting their dogs into outdoor kennels as opposed to allowing them to stay inside with them.

But you should know there are many benefits of kennels for dogs. Here are several of the biggest benefits that’ll come along with using one of the many types of kennels:

• They make dogs feel safer than they would otherwise
• They provide dogs, especially smaller ones, with the protection they need from other animals, large birds, etc.
• They set dogs up with great places to play
• They let dogs kick back and relax and steer clear of stressful situations
• They give you peace of mind when your dog is outside

As you can see, it’ll make a lot of sense for you to shop for single dog kennels and pick one out. Even if you aren’t attracted to the idea of doing it right away, it shouldn’t take you too long to come around to it.

Shop Around for Single Dog Kennels

Once you know about the benefits of kennels for dogs, you can start shopping around for single dog kennels. You’ll find a large selection of single dog kennels you can choose from through a company like Benchmark Kennels.

Benchmark Kennels sells wooden dog kennels, eco thermal dog kennels, and more. They also sell single dog kennels that have almost any dog kennel features you could ever imagine.

Your goal should be to track down the right dog kennel size. The kennel you choose should fit comfortably onto your property while also providing your dog with plenty of space to stretch out.

You should also compare the dog kennel features and look for the best-priced kennels around. It’ll help you land on a single dog kennel that’ll fit nicely into your budget.

Pick the Right Place to Put a Dog Kennel

After you invest in one of the best single dog kennels in the business, you can have it delivered to your home so that you can get it all set up. It’ll be extremely important for you to pick the best possible place to put it depending on the dog kennel size.

Ideally, you should strategically place a single dog kennel in a place that’ll make it easy to see from inside your house. You should also choose a location that isn’t tucked away in a dark corner that might scare your dog.

The place you pick for a dog kennel could make or break your whole kennel training routine. It’s why you shouldn’t just choose the first place you can find. You’ll want to consider several options before going with the best one.

Let Your Dog Get Acquainted With a Kennel

When you have a single dog kennel all set up, you might be tempted to put your new pup right inside of it and close the gate behind them. But this is not the right approach to take if you want your dog to fall in love with its new quarters.

Instead, you should very slowly introduce your dog to their new kennel and let them get acclimated to it. Walk around inside the kennel with them and allow them to sniff around so they’re able to familiarize themselves with the kennel.

You might even want to go as far as to toss treats in your dog’s direction when they first enter the kennel. This will have them associating their kennel with nothing but good things before long.

Whatever you do, don’t make it seem as though putting your dog into a kennel is going to be punishment for them. This will make the kennel training routine drag out for so much longer than it should.

Make Your Dog Feel Right at Home in a Kennel

From the moment your dog first sets foot in their new kennel, you want it to feel like home to them. How can you accomplish this goal? Here are just a few ideas:

• Put your dog’s favourite blanket or towel inside the kennel
• Set up several of your dog’s favourite toys inside the kennel
• Give your dog a bone or another special treat inside the kennel

Whatever you can do to make your dog feel at peace in a kennel will work wonders for your kennel training routine. In some cases, you might even find that your dog will want to stay in a kennel right from the start.

Begin Feeding Your Dog in a Kennel

If you reach this point and your dog still isn’t 100% sure about the kennel, you should spend time going through each of the steps we’ve listed again. You might want to spend a few days or even a full week working to introduce your dog to a kennel so that they feel comfortable in it.

Once they appear to be less anxious about going into a kennel, you can welcome food into the mix. You can begin to feed your dog some or even all of their meals in a kennel.

At first, you might want to leave your dog’s bowl filled with food right by the door to a kennel and leave the door open. It’ll give your dog a chance to get used to eating meals in a kennel.

But as time goes on, you should move your dog’s bowl further and further away from the door for a kennel. You should also begin closing a kennel’s door and letting a dog hang out for a little while after they’re done eating.

Initially, your dog might only want to stay in a kennel for five or ten minutes at a time. If they start whining, you should let them out of the kennel so that they don’t start associating a kennel with being locked up.

You should, however, start to see your dog warm up to the idea of being in a kennel. Before long, you may see them playing in a kennel and even lying down to rest in it.

Start Leaving Your Dog in a Kennel for Longer Stretches

At first, your dog isn’t going to want to stay in a kennel for long periods of time. But as time goes on, you’ll want to make it your mission to start leaving your dog in a kennel for longer stretches.

In a perfect world, you’ll want to work your way up to leaving your dog in a kennel for 15 minutes, then 30 minutes, then 45 minutes, and then an hour without them crying at any point.

This is going to take a lot of patience on your part. There will be days when your dog will get into a kennel without you having to ask and hang out in it for hours on end. There may also be other times when your dog will refuse to get into a kennel or get in only to ask to be let back out five minutes later.

Work with your dog to make them feel as comfortable as possible in a kennel. This may require you to check on them every so often so that they know you haven’t gone far and will be back to get them.

Teach Your Dog to Go to a Kennel on Your Command

There are so many commands you’ll want to teach your dog when you first bring them home. From “Sit!” to “Heel!”, you should aim to teach them these commands as quickly as possible since it can be difficult to teach an older dog to abide by them.

You should also make it a point to teach your dog a phrase like, “In your kennel!” Start saying it to them as soon as they begin spending their fair share of time in a kennel.

You want to be able to tell your dog to go into their kennel and have them listen to you. This is going to call on you to make their kennel sound like an attractive option while also teaching them a command related to it.

Leave Your Dog in a Kennel When You’re Not Home

When you hit this point in your kennel training routine, your dog should be used to spending long stretches of time in a kennel. You’ll be free to turn up the intensity a little to see what your dog can do.

Start leaving your dog in a kennel when you have to leave home to run out for a little while. Put them in the kennel about ten minutes before you need to leave to make sure they’re okay with being in it. Then, head out and hope for the best.

You might be filled with anxiety the first few times you do this. But after several trips out with your dog in a kennel, you’ll see that they’re going to be just fine.

Just make sure you try not to rile your dog up too much when you come back home. By doing this, you might inadvertently send the message that the kennel is a bad place to be. You obviously don’t want to make it seem this way at all.

You’ll be better off making a subtle return home. You can go to see your dog in the kennel and let them out if they’re interested in coming out to get a closer look at you.

Avoid Leaving Your Dog in a Kennel All the Time

In the coming weeks, months, and years, your dog is going to spend a lot of time in a kennel. But you should steer clear of leaving them in a kennel all the time.

Even if your dog loves their kennel, you will still want to let them come out and run around. You’ll also want to let them inside to hang out with you and your family.

Any time your dog isn’t in their kennel, you should see to it that the kennel gets cleaned out. You’ll want to pick up dog poop and any other debris that might build up in the kennel.

By doing this, you’ll ensure that your dog will want to return to the kennel later on. You’ll also guarantee that your dog is able to stay happy and healthy when they’re in their kennel.

Search For the Best Single Dog Kennel Here

Would you like to enjoy the benefits of kennels for yourself and work on establishing a kennel training routine for your dog? Benchmark Kennels can provide you with plenty of options when it comes to single dog kennels.

We also carry a wide range of other types of kennels for dogs. They come in just about every dog kennel size and have all the dog kennel features you and your furry friend will want.

Shop around for single dog kennels on our website and reach out to us with any questions you may have.

Why Do Working Dogs Need an Outdoor Kennel?

Did you know there are thousands of working dogs living throughout the UK right now? Unlike other types of dogs, working dogs don’t spend their days indoors, cosied up on couches catching up on sleep. As their name suggests, they’re outside performing specific tasks they’re trained to do.

Some working dogs, for example, are hunting dogs that help hunters retrieve birds and more on hunting adventures. Others work on farms and lend a hand to farmers who need help wrangling their herds. Whatever the case, working dogs can benefit from single-dog kennels. You might not automatically think to keep working dogs outside in a since they’ll already spend so much time outside of the house. But it could provide them with the best living conditions possible.

Here are several reasons why working dogs should have access to single dog kennels.

Provides Working Dogs With Rest

Working dogs obviously spend a lot of their time, well, working. So they need to get plenty of rest when they’re off the clock. Keeping working dogs outside in an outdoor dog kennel gives them the space they need to spread out and relax. Even when the weather isn’t ideal, wooden dog kennels will still provide the perfect living conditions.

Working dogs won’t have to worry about humans and other pets bothering them when they have their own spaces. It’s one of the best reasons to invest in single dog kennels.

Keeps Working Dogs Primed and Ready to Go

Most working dogs live to work. They’re at their happiest when they’re working side-by-side with their owners to complete necessary tasks. With this in mind, putting working dogs in single-use kennels might seem counterintuitive. But placing a working dog into an outdoor kennel will make them even more eager to get out and work. From the second you open the door of an outdoor kennel, hunting dogs or other types of working dogs will be excited to get out and stay busy.

Stimulates Working Dogs in Many Ways

There probably isn’t much going on inside your house regularly. As a result, working dogs aren’t going to get much stimulation when they’re wandering around indoors. But when you place working dogs outside in wooden dog kennels, it’ll be a much different story. There will be so many things that’ll tickle a working dog’s senses and provide them with proper stimulation.

Working dogs will be able to listen to birds chirp, watch animals run around, and find other sources of stimulation with very little effort on their part when they’re in single-dog kennels. They’ll even be stimulated at night when it gets very quiet outside. Every random sound that is made will stimulate their senses and keep them actively engaged in what’s going on around them.

Stops Working Dogs From Getting Complacent

Let’s face it: If you keep working dogs inside all the time, it won’t be long before they come to like it there. You might even discover they become complacent and won’t want to work as hard as usual. Working dogs might also get treated to extra food and treats when they’re inside and struggle to stay in good shape. You’ll be able to keep them hungry in a figurative sense by placing them in an outdoor dog kennel.

Ensures Working Dogs Don’t Get Confused

How weird would it be if you came home from work every night and your boss was waiting for you at the dinner table and then sitting down on the couch with you to watch TV once dinner was done? It would leave you feeling confused, to say the least. This might be precisely how working dogs feel when you bring them inside after spending all day outside with them. It could confuse them and leave them wondering where your relationship stands since they’ll be spending all their time with the “boss.”

Protects Working Dogs From Potential Predators

Most working dogs are going to be on the larger side, so you won’t have to worry about too many predators trying to come after them. But since you rely on working dogs to perform tasks for you, the last thing you want is for them to be injured by another

Check Out Our Single Dog Kennels for Working Dogs

Would you like to set up single-dog kennels for your working dogs? Benchmark Kennels has kennels that would be ideal for hunting dogs as well as any other types of working dogs you might have. We also have an amazing range of accessories to make your outdoor kennel the best for your dog!

You can also check out our article on the benefits of outdoor pens to understand why they are beneficial for all dogs, not just working dogs. Additionally, when creating the ideal space for your dog, be sure to look at our tips on creating a dog-friendly garden.

Contact us to learn more about the single-dog kennels we can provide for your working dogs.