Preview Sample Exit Strategy

EXIT STRATEGY

GOAL: To teach dogs to wait on their beds any time a person enters or exits the ken-

nel. Dogs will learn that when a person’s hand goes on the kennel door, they should move

to the back of the kennel and wait on their beds for a leash to be clipped into their walking

equipment (collar, harness, or head collar).

GENERAL RULES:

• This protocol should be followed EVERY time you interact with the dog.

• The dog must be on their Kuranda (or plush) bed when walking equipment is placed on

or taken off the dog.

• Initially, do this by entering the kennel and pointing to the bed (or tossing treats on the

bed). Over time, as the dog learns the behavior, the hand signal and the cue for the

behavior is you showing intention to enter the kennel (placing your hand on the kennel

door).

• When you return to the kennel, take the dog back to their Kuranda bed, and remove the

dog’s leash and walking equipment while the dog is on the bed.

ENTERING AND EXITING A DOG’S KENNEL

HOW THE LEARNING TAKES PLACE:

• We teach dogs this behavior by shaping the behavior that we want.

• Shapingrequiresrewardingsmall,andthenincreasinglybigger,‘pieces’ofanal

behavior.

• Initiallywerewardthedogforgoingonhisbed.Asweshapethenalbehaviorwe

reward the dog for going to his bed while we gradually move closer and closer to the

kennel door.

• When entering the kennel, remember the biggest reward that you can give most dogs is

going into the kennel because the dog wants to go for a walk.

• Placing your hand on the kennel door should not happen unless the dog is displaying the

behavior that you want because placing your hand on the kennel door is a reward for

the dog

ENTERING THE KENNEL (LEVEL ONE):

1.Dogmusthavefourfeetontheoor(nojumping!)andbequiet(nobarking!)before 

you enter kennel.

a. If the dog is too excited to do this, use a treat to increase the dog’s motivation.

b.Quicklyenterthekennelbeforethedogstartsjumpingorbarkingagain,while 

simultaneously praising and feeding a treat to the dog.

2. Enter the kennel, walk to the back of the kennel, and lure the dog onto his bed with

a treat. Praise and feed the dog a treat once the dog is on his bed.

3. The dog is not required to do anything other than stand on the Kuranda bed. Sit or

down is not necessary. Place the dog’s walking equipment on, while the dog is on the bed.

Ifneeded,usetreatstosafelyandefcientlygetthedog’sharnessorheadcollarontothe

dog.

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