Sharing dog box

[Lloyd90]

Hi all, need some help with a query:

I have a smaller kennel / run in my garage attached to my house. Used for when the dogs are wet and muddy and they can split it between coming into the house.

I did just have two dog beds down in the back corner (those plastic baskets) but the odd shape they didn’t fit neatly into the shape of the run and this week I have knocked up a dog sleeping box, same dimensions as an online big retailer for gundog sleeping boxes but just made by me and my mate out of wood.

It clearly notes that there is ample room for 2 springer spaniels and after building it there is loads of room.

Only issue is only one of the dogs will go in there at a time!
One dog will go in and then likes to lie in the doorway so they can look out. The other dog (and they both do it) won’t then go into the box and instead just lies on the concrete floor.

How do you get them so that they will go into the box together?

Neither dog is aggressive etc to the other and no warning is given re the bed, the other dog dog whichever one of them it is just doesn’t try to go in.

At this rate I am going to cut a second door on the box so they can both go in and look out lol! Not sure if I will need a partition down the middle or not!

[Judy]

How long have they had it? Might the a while to work out they can share.
I have seen various dogs of mine doing something similar in their beds or in doorways - "come in if ya dare". I tend to discourage it in doorways as I've had one bust up over it, in the beds they sort themselves out nicely. ( I hopeI don't live to regret that statement!).

[WGD]

Just leave them to figure it out

[munstyman]

Avoidance of head on head on is basic canine behavior, dogs try to avoid conflict where ever possible, even when it is not intentional by the other party. ( Where pack theory often falls apart ) Often we only notice it at `choke points' or when an overly humanised dog has not learnt canine etiquette and run straight into another dogs face. Often followed by those immortal words "He's only being friendly" .
Personally, as its a home made dog box, I would do as you yourself has already suggested and make a second entry, it will make little difference to the comfort of the box, and I am sure you could make it so it could be closed up later

[PRH]

My labs share a dog bed. 99% of the time it is fine, but every now and then the younger one sits crying and looking at the old one stretched out fully on the bed. She doesn't want the conflict and cries to get my attention to get the old one to move......

[newf]

Handling the dogs, sometimes leads to no problems:

https://share.icloud.com/photos/0fo0Zta ... FDhHRF36rA

[CockerCanuck]

Newf, they look happy to share the box. I have always had multiple dogs in the house and I really enjoy just watching their interactions with each other. There is a lot of complex stuff going on within their relationships. My dogs have always "gotten along" but some certainly like each other more than others. My two males now don't like each other and avoid each others company when they can. Don't think they would be happy in a crate together. On the other hand the Cocker nestles right into a dog bed with my wife's Rotti bitch all the time.

[ips]

Handling the dogs, sometimes leads to no problems:

https://share.icloud.com/photos/0fo0Zta ... FDhHRF36rA

Love that
Mine would obey kennel command then come straight out again

[newf]

IPS, there was a hesitation from the dogs to kennel up after emerging because the dogs considered it mild punishment for something they didn’t do right.

[newf]

Newf, they look happy to share the box. I have always had multiple dogs in the house and I really enjoy just watching their interactions with each other. There is a lot of complex stuff going on within their relationships. My dogs have always "gotten along" but some certainly like each other more than others. My two males now don't like each other and avoid each others company when they can. Don't think they would be happy in a crate together. On the other hand the Cocker nestles right into a dog bed with my wife's Rotti bitch all the time.

Yes, CC, they do like sharing the box because it always leads to good things. Today, it happens to be their morning free run.

The point, I was making about handling is that the dogs are focused on me and my direction and not the pettiness of making contact with each other or who owns what piece of real a state. To me, some dog owners create problems or allow such events to escalate because they’re afraid of interfering with their dogs behaviors. You don’t lose drive just because you’re in charge, you lose drive by creating confusion that never straightens out.