Dog Kennel Guide

Buying a new puppy is an exciting time for a family.  They are cute, cuddly and lots of fun.  However, as part of all the fun and games you need to make sure that you start to train your puppy from the moment you bring him home.  Jumping up, getting under your feet and chewing your slippers may seem sweet when he’s tiny.  It’ll be less amusing once visitors are being knocked down by a full grown dog and all your soft furnishings are in tatters.  Start as you mean to go on as it’s much harder to break bad habits once your dog has got set in his ways.

First ensure that you have all the equipment needed to train your dog.  A dog kennel, collar and lead, lots of toys and a dog play pen.

A kennel will become his own little dog house where he will feel relaxed and happy.  Kennel training starts by putting a comfortable bed and some nice toys inside and encouraging him to go in for gradually longer periods.  Once he is happy in there then you can use his outdoor dog kennel as a place to put him when you have visitors nervous of dogs or you want some space to get jobs done.

A dog play pen can be used in the early days to allow a puppy to be in the same room as the family without being able to get into mischief.  He will be able to run around and play and have a good look at what is going on without being able to destroy anything.

Another useful feature is that by putting their dog kennel inside it you will also be helping to house train them.  This is because dogs don’t like to soil an area that they consider to be their den and so they will hold on until you take them outside to do their business.   Just make sure that you take them outside regularly or otherwise you are setting yourself up for little accidents.

A final use of a dog play pen is to take it out into the garden so that it acts like a dog run.  The pens are usually lightweight and easy to fold up, making moving it from place to place an easy job.  Your puppy will be able to experience the outdoors, before he’s even had his jabs, without risk of escaping the garden.  He will love all the new smells and sounds and everything won’t seem so strange when you take him on his first walk.

When you start to consider purchasing a dog kennel with attached run for your dog you will have to think carefully about which type of construction material would best suit your dog.  Dog crates can usually be divided into those made from plastic, wood or metal with the runs nearly always being made from metal.  A galvanised dog run is by far the most sensible option thanks to its longevity.

Galvanised metal is basically steel which has been specially coated with a thin layer of zinc.  This zinc layer helps to stop the oxidisation of the steel which would eventually lead to the killer of all metal – rust!  The zinc forms a barrier on the steel so that any corroding elements act on the zinc rather than the steel itself.  By adding this coat you extend the life of the metal immensely and it is used for all metal structures that are expected to stand exposed to the elements for any length of time, such as bridges and oil rigs.  By buying a galvanised dog run you will be ensuring that your dog has a safe place to exercise for his whole lifetime.

A dog kennel and run is the ideal way to let your dog get some exercise during the day while you are out at work while also giving him somewhere to rest and sleep when he feels like it.  The dog pen will prevent him from escaping the garden, where he could get in to trouble or hurt, and will also stop him from digging up the flower beds!  He will also appreciate not being cooped up in the house all day while you are out at work and you will save your furniture from being chewed out of boredom.

Don’t assume that every run you see is a galvanised dog run as many companies try to save money by using untreated metal.  Though they will all look very similar when new and shiny don’t be tempted to go for the cheaper option.  Once the dog cage has been outside for a while the difference will soon become obvious and you will actually be putting your dog at risk if his run is allowed to rust.  The corrosion will weaken the metal and all it will take is for the dog to barge against it for a strut to snap and potentially stab him.  There is no point buying a dog kennel to make him feel safe and secure if his run doesn’t offer him the same level of protection.

When you make the decision to go away on holiday then one of the first things that you will need to think about once you have made the booking is what you are going to do with your pets.  Are you going to use a dog kennel, dog sitter or get a friend or member of the family to look after him?  For many people a dog boarding kennels is the only real option if he can’t stay with a member of your family.

Before you sign up your dog for a holiday of his own go and have a good look at the dog boarding facilities available at several different places in your town.  You will find that they can vary quite a lot in what is offered and how much is charged.  When you arrive for your visit ensure that each dog kennel is scrupulously clean with fresh water easily available.  Find out whether they provide bedding and how often your dog will be exercised.  If every dog pen that you look into has a miserable looking dog in it then keep well away.

A quality dog boarding kennels will be happy to answer any questions that you have and will demand that your pet is up to date with all his vaccinations.  This way you can ensure that he is not likely to catch anything from another dog.  If you own cats as well as dogs then be sure to look for somewhere that also does cat boarding as this will stop you from having to drive all over town on the day before you leave for your holiday when you have a huge list of other things to do.

Some boarding kennels for dogs are more like luxury hotels with hydrotherapy pools, treat times and the whole range of dog grooming services from a simple wash and brush to nail and coat clipping.  These places will give you a choice of group playtimes, where your dog gets to play with others who are staying, or individual attention, which is often better for more aggressive breeds or un-neutered males.  They will often also give your dog a bath on the night before he is due to come home so that you get him back smelling lovely and fresh!

Once you have decided which of the dog boarding kennels is for you ask a few people who you see out walking their dogs if they know anything about these kennels as word of mouth is often the best way to find out about the quality of provision.

Though in an ideal world our pets would never be left alone the reality is that they will have to be without their owners at different times and for different lengths of time.  Most cats spend the daytime hours on their own while their owners go to work.  They will either have access to the house through a cat flat or else have a cat kennel in the garden to retreat to should they want to escape the weather or just have a nap in a secure place.  However, if you are going to be away for more than just a day then you will need to think about who will care for your feline friend.

While some people are lucky enough to have friends, family or neighbours who are willing to come in and feed their cat while they are away, many will need to think about using a boarding kennels.

Luckily most towns have at least one boarding cattery where you can leave your cat for as long as you like.  Even somewhere which is basically a boarding dog kennel may have some spaces for cats too.  Make a visit to the cattery before you leave your cat there to make sure that it is up to the standards you require and to find out exactly what level of care is provided.  If you will need cat boarding for several weeks at a time then you should ask about whether they perform cat grooming routines to keep the cat’s coat in good condition.  Ask about their access to veterinary care should your cat fall ill while you are away and find out how much human attention they will get each day.  Some less scrupulous places will just leave them in the kennel and do no more than feed them daily.

To make your cat feel more secure and at home when you leave her, give the cattery her own bed from home to sleep in.  The well known smell will help reduce her anxiety at being left.

If your cat requires a special diet or has health issues then it is very important that these are discussed at length so that you can be confident that she is receiving the best possible care.

Some catteries also take dogs so check that her cage will not be in close proximity to a dog kennel if she is nervous of dogs.

Though there are hundreds of different styles of dog kennel on the market they can generally be subdivided into 3 main construction types: plastic, metal and wood.  For many people the only types that they would ever consider are traditional wooden dog kennels.

A wooden kennel is aesthetically pleasing and blends in much better with a garden surrounding than, say, a metal dog cage.  Also, as long as they are made from wood from a sustainable source, they are much more environmentally friendly.  There are several important features of an outdoor dog kennel that wooden dog kennels fulfil admirably.  One is that a dog who has to sleep in it during winter weather or overnight is kept nice and warm.  Wood is a very warm material and, with good insulation felt fixed to all internal surfaces, will keep the kennel well insulated against the cold.  Another feature is that it must be hardwearing, both to withstand being exposed to the elements and to endure the not so gentle attention of its occupant.  Luckily if you buy a dog kennel made from good quality wood and make sure that you weatherproof it with wood stain or varnish every year then it should last easily as long as its resident.

Many people are very specific about the features that they want for their dog house and if you feel that you can’t find exactly what you would like either online or in a pet store then your best bet might be building a dog kennel yourself.  You may at first think that this would be too difficult, but if you make sure that you do some research first and then draw yourself a detailed plan then all but the most hapless ‘Do It Yourself’ enthusiasts should be able to build a very passable kennel.

You will need to make a decision as to whether you want a flat or pitched roof and how many rooms you will require.  Some people who like to pamper their dogs will have them living in nothing but luxury dog kennels with both a bedroom and living room and a heated pet bed to keep them warm when the temperature drops.

Of course wooden dog kennels, like all other types of kennel will need certain accessories to ensure that your dog it comfortable.  A large water bowl so that he always has a supply of fresh water and a comfortable bed to lie on are essential but a good selection of dog toys to keep him occupied will also be much appreciated.

Of course everyone knows that when you buy a dog you need to buy a dog kennel.  For dogs their kennel represents a den in which they can escape the world or sleep.  However, not many cat owners also own a cat kennel.  This is because, generally speaking, cats will sleep anywhere.  Even in the most unlikely and uncomfortable looking of places.

In spite of this, cat kennels are becoming an increasing popular purchase.  One of the reasons for this is that in many households everyone goes out to work and so there is no-one at home to let the cat in or out as it wishes.  Though many people solve this problem with a cat flap, others do not want to have one installed.  This might be because their back door is unsuitable for having a large hole made in it (or they don’t want to destroy the look of the door) or because their cat has a tendency to scratch furniture and make a bit of a nuisance of itself if left to its own devices in the house.  Of course, during the warm summer months this is not such an issue.  Most people are quite happy to leave their cats out all day whilst they are at work when the weather is fine.  Conversely, when winter comes you would feel a bit mean leaving your poor feline friend out all day in the cold.  This is where an outdoor cat kennel comes into its own.

Kennels for cats are generally quite small and made of plastic.  They can be hidden away somewhere in the garden so that your cat can curl up in it if it starts to rain or it wants some warmth.  You can even buy some with cat flaps attached so that the worst of the wind and rain can’t even get in via the entrance.  If you put a cushion inside then it will soon become a favourite bolt hole for your feline friend and you will be able to feel that she is getting the best cat care available even when you are not around.

The plastic construction of a cat kennel means that it is very durable (they are also often made to be fade resistant) and, more importantly, very easy to clean.  A quick hose down every now and then will remove all hair and dirt easily and it will dry off in no time.  Now you can be sure that your cat is as happy as your dog is in his dog kennel.

For most people buying a new dog the decision to buy a dog kennel is relatively easy.  They only need decide on whether it will be made from plastic, metal or wood depending on their circumstances and then they have hundreds of choices both online or at their local pet store.  However, if you have a large dog then you will need a large dog kennel.   It is not nearly as easy to buy a dog house for a Great Dane, an Irish Wolfhound or a Newfoundland as it is for a Bassett or a Collie.

Of course these large dogs will require an outdoor dog kennel as no-one is going to design a lightweight plastic kennel for a very large dog.  It would probably get chewed to pieces in a matter of minutes!  Though there is not as much choice there are still plenty of large dog kennels out there for sale, though you should expect to pay a premium price as the quantity of timber required is reflected in the price.  Some people are willing to spend a small fortune on their large dogs and will buy them luxurious accommodation which can look more like a gazebo or summer house.

If you decide that rather than buy one you are more than capable of building a large dog kennel yourself then ensure that you make detailed plans first.  Think about where the kennel will be situated as though it’s possible to place small dog kennels almost anywhere, a large one could obstruct your view in certain places.  The minimum size for a kennel is a length that would allow your dog to lie stretched out, taller than head height and broad enough that he can turn a full circle.   Remember that once you have added insulation felt with wooden panels on top that the dog kennel will be made smaller inside.

Make sure that you use good quality timber as the structure will be exposed to the elements and will soon start to deteriorate if you use cheap wood.  Good quality wood also tends to be stronger and so will withstand the weight of a large dog barging around in it much better than its cheaper counterpart.

If you have more than one dog then you will of course need an extra large dog kennel, possibly with a dividing wall so that they can sleep separately.  Many people also build runs attached to the kennel to give their dog somewhere to exercise when they are not out on a walk.

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When you get your first dog you may be overwhelmed by the range of kennels available to house them.  You can get everything from portable kennels used to transport your dog or to use when travelling to whelping kennels for people who breed dogs.  However, by far the most popular style is the traditional outdoor dog kennel.

An outdoor kennel is nearly always constructed of wood and generally has either one or two rooms.  The number of rooms is usually dependent on how much of the day the dog spends in it.  For a dog who sleeps outside at night then an outdoor dog kennel with 2 rooms is preferable as then he can have a room which is not exposed to the elements to sleep in and another to rest and chew a toy or bone in during the day where he can see what is going on around him.  Sometimes galvanised metal cages are advertised as kennels though in reality they are somewhere between a kennel and a run.  They tend to be big enough to move around quite freely but don’t have the comfort factor of a nice confined kennel.

If your garden is not particularly secure or there are lots of lovely flower beds which could be destroyed then you might want to have a dog kennel and run formation so that he can exercise in safety.  The dog house should be put into one corner so that it doesn’t impede your dog from running the length of the run and should be under cover of shade so that he doesn’t overheat in warmer weather.

If you are going to leave your dog in an outdoor dog kennel for any length of time during the day or night then there are certain dog kennel accessories which you should buy.  The first is a good heavy water bowl which cannot be easily tipped up.  Regular drinks of fresh water are essential for the wellbeing of any animal and you wouldn’t want your dog to get thirsty.  Another thing that will be appreciated by your dog is a nice, comfortable bed to rest and sleep on.  If he spends the night in the kennel and you live in an area where the temperatures can drop quite low then you might consider a heated dog bed.

The last vital ingredient to make your pet love his dog kennel is a range of different toys.  Balls to chase, rubber toys to chew and a bit of old rope to carry around or play tug ‘o’ war with when you are home.

Before you buy a dog there are various things that you need to consider.  One of the most important is how you are going to exercise your dog.  It may be that someone in your household is lucky enough not to have to go out to work and so is available for lots of dog walking.  If not then you might want to consider a dog kennel and run.  By attaching a dog run onto a kennel you can ensure that your dog can get plenty of exercise even when you are not around.

Dog runs are generally chain link or mesh as they need to be strong enough to keep a dog in and any predators out.  You can buy ready made ones from pet stores but, if you buy the panels then it’s not actually that hard to construct one yourself.  Start by thinking about the size of dog that you would like as this will determine how much space he will need.  The most ideal situation would be the largest possible space that you can practically hand over to accommodate a dog kennel and run.

Once you have marked out the area available take another look at it and consider whether it has a shady area for your dog to lie in on hot days and whether one of the corners would be suitable for a dog kennel.  Ideally this corner will be sheltered from severe weather conditions such as driving rain or wind and would also be shaded from direct sunlight.

The dog exercise pen itself needs to be high enough that your pet cannot simply jump out of it and sturdy enough that it can’t be knocked down.  Burying the posts deep into the ground will make it strong and some people burying the fencing itself a little so that their dog cannot dig underneath it.  The gate which gives entry to the run needs to be very secure and preferably lockable as not only do you want to prevent your dog from getting out but also anyone from getting in and taking him while you are at work.

If you decide that your garden is not large enough to house a dog kennel and run then there are other options which will still allow you to own a dog and give him the exercise that he requires while you are at work.  Some people employ dog walkers to take their pet out for a good long run every day while others put their pet into doggie day care.  This is a centre where dogs are taken during the day.  The owners will feed, exercise and care for your dog, sometimes even performing grooming duties or taking him on visits to the vets.