How can I encourage Ashke to use his kennel?

[wiggal]

Hi all,

Today we had a kenne delivered, which we have built and put on the patio for Ashke.
He sleeps outside at night, we have tried him inside buy he sits by the back door after a while and howls and fidgets non stop (im guessing he gets to hot inside), and he has always been more of an outdoor dog.
I have wanted to get him a kennel because when it is obviously raining & windy, I worry about him alot.
I have put his dinner just inside the kennel which he has eaten, although by stretching inside & keeping his bum outside! He doesnt seem to want to go in it! :(

I have looked out in the garden, and he then appears from round the corner.
I would like to be able to get him to use it, as it isnt much fun when he comes in in the evenings soggy & brown!

Any ideas?
Thanks!

[jules77]

what sort of kennel is it, i am guessing it doesnt have a run with a door that you could put him in and just hope that he actually goes into the kennel at night?

if it is one of those igloo type ones I have seen, is it light enough to bring into the house and tempt him in it that way. When I first bought a crate the dogs wouldnt go anywhere near it, even if I put their favourite treats inside. Then my husband got in it and the dogs followed him, I dont use the crate in the house, but only at dog shows and they dont seem to mind it at all as if dad can go in it, it must be ok!!

[wiggal]

I was wanting a big proper one, with the run attached and that, but we only saw them for around �350. Will be saving for one of them though as it would also stop him digging allllll over the garden!
http://www.bitsforpets.com/product_info.php?cP ath=5_6&products_id=18
Thats the one we got him for now. When we built it, it was in the front room and he went in it, with a little help from me, but the lid wasnt on!
I have just looked in the garden, and he was lying next to it on the patio!

[jules77]

only thing I can think of is to keep putting his food in there, right up inside, and a trail of treats to the food so he knows where it is? Could you make a covered run by fencing it in somehow and putting a cover over the run area? something like these? http://www.a15fabrications.co.uk/pdf/b-timberr uns.pdf

then at least you would know he is dry and not digging up the garden?