Dog Kennel Guide

One of the biggest areas of growth in dog accessories is dog clothing.  Some of this is due to more people buying practical dog wear such as jumpers or coats for cold weather or a dog life jacket if their dog spends lots of time on the water with them.  However, the main area of growth is in designer clothing with even puppy clothes being sold in ever greater quantities.

When looking into buying puppy dog clothes it is vital that you measure your dog accurately so that the outfit looks its best.  Make sure that you measure not just the length of his body but his body and neck girth and overall weight.  This way, when you look at puppy clothing websites you will be armed with the information necessary to decide upon which size you need.

The most popular items of puppy clothes are puppy coats, which come in a huge variety of fabrics, patterns and styles.  These are ideal if your dog has a very short coat, which makes it feel the cold, or if you live in a particularly cold area and they spend a lot of time in their dog kennel, as they help to keep in most of the body heat.  It is also possible to buy more unusual items such as pyjamas, T-shirts, hats and skirts.  There are also plenty of outfits designed for specific holidays or occasions such as Christmas, Halloween or weddings and a dog dressed in a cute, seasonal outfit will get lots of attention from everyone who sees him.

Though, by and large, most pet stores only sell jackets and jumpers for dogs, the internet has allowed the creation of many ‘dog boutiques’ selling unusual and designer dog clothing for dogs of all breeds and sizes and, if you search hard enough, you will be able to find pretty much any item of wear that your imagination can come up with.

Though you may be criticised for owning a pampered pooch, puppies’ clothes are a harmless bit of fun and your dog won’t mind wearing an outfit at all, as long as it fits comfortably and doesn’t restrict his movement.  However, do be warned that these outfits don’t come cheap and so you may want to only buy a few for very special occasions.

The final downside to buying puppy clothing is that puppies, like children, grow and so any outfit that you buy may well not fit him in a few months time.  If money is an issue then you might need to wait until he has reached full size as then there is no risk of an outfit only being worn a few times.

Dogs, just like their owners, enjoy nothing more than a good night’s sleep in a comfy bed.  The bed could be in a basket in the kitchen, outside in a dog kennel or in the corner of your bedroom, it doesn’t matter to them as long as it is cosy and comfortable.  Unfortunately as dogs become older they start to suffer from conditions such as arthritis and rheumatism, which means that good sleep becomes harder to come by.  Here we are going to discuss the benefits of a memory foam dog bed to help alleviate the problem of a poor night’s sleep.

Memory foam was initially invented by NASA to reduce the effects of impact onto seats during landings.  It was quickly realised that it had great potential within the medical industry to prevent bed sores in long stay patients as it evenly distributes weight.  It wasn’t long before it began to be utilised for all sorts of uses, including memory foam pet beds for people to use either in the home or within dog crates or kennels.

The foam is generally encased in a waterproof cover to help protect it and reduce the likelihood of the cushion starting to smell.  You can simply put a cushion into one of the many cheap plastic dog beds on the market or can buy an entire foam dog bed with integral cushion.  The covers are usually removable and machine washable helping to ensure that your lovely memory foam dog bed will give you many years of use.

Though memory foam dog beds are more expensive than traditional dog beds the benefits far outweigh the cost and, in the long run you may actually find that your vet’s bills are reduced because your beloved pet is not suffering as much.  It is not just that there will be less pressure on aching joints, it will also help reduce muscle strain and other sorts of pain.  The fabric covering is made to be especially hardwearing so that it can’t be chewed to bits by your dog and comes in a huge variety of colours and patterns so that it will fit in with the interior decoration of your home.

All in all a memory foam dog bed is an easy way to help an aging dog regain some of its youthful exuberance and get a good night’s sleep.  The foam helps with conditions such as rheumatism, arthritis and muscle and joint pains.

There are many people up and down the country who love nothing more than to spend all their free time on board a boat be it a canal boat, yacht or cruiser.  Large numbers of these people are also dog owners and many of them, rather than leave their dog at home in his dog kennel, have their pets accompany them on their boats.  Though most dogs can swim rough conditions, cold water and strong currents could put the dog at risk and very young or elderly dogs may struggle if they find themselves in the water.  A dog life jacket is a practical solution that will give its owner valuable time in which to rescue it should it fall into the water and will prevent the dog from tiring too quickly.

A dog life vest is one piece of dog clothing which is a necessity for those who are going to spend any length of time on the water with their pet and there are certain features that you should look out for.

Firstly, all good life jackets are made from high visibility fabric and contain some reflective strips so that a light would reflect off the surface if you were searching for a pet who had gone overboard at night.  Some dog life jackets have handles on the top for ease of removing the animal from water from the safety of the boat and others have a chin support so that a dog who has become tired from spending an extended time in the water doesn’t drown even whilst wearing his jacket.

It is not only dogs on board boats who sometimes have a need for a pet life jacket.  Some dogs are overly confident about jumping into bodies of water, often paying little heed to whether or not it is safe to do so.  If you have a dog like this then you may want him to wear one when you are near to a river or lake and, if you employ someone for their dog walking services then make sure that they always use it too.

Basically a dog life jacket will be required by all dogs who spend time on the water with their owner.  All it would take is a strong gust of wind, a slippery deck or a rough sea to send a beloved pet overboard and it may be that all there is between him surviving or not is his dog’s life jacket.

You may be about to acquire a new dog or else your current dog’s bed might be getting a bit worn.  Either way you will be searching the internet and your local pet shops for a new dog basket.  You will need to start by measuring the length of your dog in a lying position so that you can decide which size to look for.  If you are getting a new puppy then you would probably be better off buying a small one now and looking at larger baskets for dogs only when he’s fully grown.

If your dog lives in a dog kennel then you will need to make sure that the basket is, as near as possible, the same size as the living space.  This will ensure that no space is lost in gaps around the edges.  If, however, you are more of a fan of dog crates for your dog while you are away from home then this will not be an issue as there will be plenty of space to put a lovely wicker dog basket in the corner.

Of course dog baskets come in different types:

Plastic – these are the most popular due to their ease of cleaning and sturdy nature.  You can put a cushion in them to make them comfortable and these can simply be put into the washing machine when they get dirty.

Wicker – this is the most traditional style and also the most aesthetically pleasing though have the disadvantages of being harder to clean and easier to chew!

Soft – made of fabric, these can be bought to fit in with your home decor and are particularly warm and cosy.  New, waterproof versions have recently become available which are ideal for dogs who spend a lot of time outdoors, splashing in puddles.

Baskets are not just great for your home, if you travel elsewhere or put your dog into doggie day care during the day then they can have a little piece of home with them which will help them to feel more comfortable.

The final type, which most people don’t think of, is a bicycle dog basket.  These are ideal for smaller dogs who simply cannot keep up when you go out for a bike ride.  They enable them to ride safely on the front of your bike, enjoying the view and the outdoors.  These baskets are easy to fit and to remove when not in use.

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When you first hear the term ‘Dog Clothing’ you may think that it sounds like something dreamed up by a crazy person with too much time on their hands.  However once you start looking more closely at the ranges of apparel available you will realise that most of it is of a very practical nature.

Dogs are now kept as pets in many areas of the world where they did not evolve naturally.  On top of this, with modern breeding techniques, there are large numbers of dogs who don’t have the thick coats of dogs bred for particularly cold climates or else are clipped over certain parts of their body.  If this is the case for your dog then you may want to look into the kinds of clothing available to keep him warm.

It is all very well having an insulated dog kennel but, in severe winter temperatures, a dog sweater will give him an extra layer of protection.  Small dog clothing can look a lot like children’s wear but it has been specially designed so that it fits their longer bodies and has holes for all four legs.

As well as practical clothing items there are also clothes which help to keep your dog safe. For anyone who takes their dog on boat trips with them is a doggie life jacket.  Though it is well known that dogs are good swimmers, even they would struggle in rough waters or if they had to spend a long time in the water.  Another great item is a reflective jacket or bandana so that your dog can be seen by drivers on dark nights or in poor weather conditions.

If you work long hours and so put your dog into doggie day care or employ someone for their dog walking services then you may wish to provide a waterproof dog coat so that he will be able to join in with all walks, no matter what the weather.

Though most dog clothing and accessories are of a practical nature, to keep you dog warm and dry, designer dog clothing is becoming an every larger market with everything from diamond studded designer dog collars to cashmere sweaters available for the furriest member of the family.

You may think that large dog clothing will be the most difficult to acquire but there are plenty of companies out there who cater specifically for bigger dogs and so a bit of research on your part will soon come up with results.

Large dog breeds are becoming increasingly popular to have as pets.  They are known to be more even tempered than small dogs and are generally fantastic with children.  The only difficulty is that every dog accessory that you buy needs to be similarly sized, from large dog crates to collars which will fit round a wide neck and enormous dog beds which could happily hold a child!  And unfortunately the large size often leads to a large price tag so you will need to shop around comparing prices on the internet and in your local pet shops.  Though do remember that though the internet might be cheaper, when looking for specialist products such as these you might be best off being able to look at the actual thing to determine whether it is really big enough for your dog.

Luckily, buying a large dog kennel isn’t as difficult as it once was, due to the increased demand.  The main limitation these days is actually the size of your outdoor space.  If you have plenty of room then you can install a dog kennel – though it might resemble a summer house!  This type are built from wood and can have one or two rooms, depending on whether your dog is to spend the night in it.  You can even buy luxury versions with a porch for the dog to lie on and windows from which he can enjoy the views!

If your dog comes in at night time and you are more interested in him getting some exercise during the day without being able to use his large paws to dig up the geraniums then you might be better served by looking into large dog crates made from metal.  These are very strong and, if you buy one made from galvanised steel, will be resistant to weathering.  They have space for your dog to play and run but he won’t be able to escape the garden and terrorise the neighbours or get run over on a nearby road.  You can buy self build versions, which are astonishingly easy to construct yourself or, sturdier ready built types.  Most pet stores would recommend the modular ready built crates for large dogs as anything which isn’t particularly strong could easily be knocked to the ground by a big dog.

If you have an even bigger than usual breed of dog, such as a Great Dane, then you will probably need a more specialist provider to find yourself a good range of extra large dog crates.

Making the decision to get a dog is very exciting.  Which breed will you get?  Will it be a puppy or a rescue dog?  These are the first things that you will be thinking about.  However, there are other more practical issues that also need to be considered.  To make your dog as comfortable as possible there are a variety of accessories that you might like to buy.  A dog kennel will make your dog feel secure and safe, as if he is in a den, and water and food bowls are a must.  On top of this you will need a lead and some toys and, very importantly, you will need to do some research into plastic dog beds.

Your dog’s bed needs to be made of a tough, durable plastic which can withstand a bit of chewing and is resistant to taking on doggy odours.  If you live in a very hot area, or else have a dog who gets particularly overheated when he’s done some exercise then you might want to buy a bed which has air vents in it or one that is slightly raised off the ground to allow air flow around it.  Owners of plastic dog kennels might want to see if they can find a bit which has been specially made to fit within the kennel as this will prevent wasting any space.

If your dog is mostly kept outdoors then you probably have a nice, insulated dog kennel for him.  Plastic dog beds will add to the insulating properties because they will add another layer between your pet and the cold ground beneath the kennel.  The bed will also help to keep the interior of the kennel clean as it is easily taken out and washed down.

The fact that they are plastic ensures that these are also waterproof dog beds.  This means that if you dog lies in it while he is wet that the water won’t end up all over the floor and can easily be wiped up.  If you have a young dog who is prone to little accidents that you will also stop your floor from being covered in urine!

Plastic dog beds generally come with rubber feet, to stop them slipping, as standard and a range of custom fit cushions to choose from.  They come in a huge variety of colours so you can choose one that fits in well with your decor!

Nearly all dog owners will at some time or another want to transport their dog in their car.  Though it may be tempting to just place him on the back seat this is not a practical or safe solution and you would be much better off buying a dog car cage or a specially designed dog kennel.  You won’t even need to apply your brakes very hard to throw the poor animal across the vehicle and a large number of dogs are killed or injured this way every year.  An extra danger would also be if this application of the brakes threw the dog into the back of the driver causing an accident.  Also, a loose dog may just take it into his mind to climb into the front of the car distracting the driver and again potentially causing an accident.

Of course it is not just unsafe.  Dogs are not always the cleanest of animals and are likely to bring mud and dirt into your car, along with piles of shed hair, which would make your seats most undesirable for the next human occupant.  All these factors make it vital to buy some sort of dog carrier in which to transport your pet.

If you are someone who doesn’t use their car very often to transport their dog then a dog car crate is probably not necessary and you would be better off buying one of the many plastic dog kennels available on the market today.  These can be secured to the back seat by a seatbelt and will keep your dog safely in place for your journey.

If, however, your dog travels with you more than once a week then you should consider purchasing a dog car cage.  These cages are specially designed to fit into the back of the car and the newer designs have a sloping side to solve the problem of dog car cages which can’t fit into hatchback cars.  The cages have plastic trays on the bottom to catch any dirt and hair, reducing the need to vacuum out the vehicle, and often come with dividers which can be inserted if you want to transport more than one dog.

All types of dog car cage have a door opening on one side but some also have extra doors to allow access from the vehicle by lowering the back seats.  This may be useful if you need to reach your dog whilst still in transit or in emergency situations.

There are a large range of accessories available for your dog crate and some of the most useful are dog crate covers.  These covers are made from nylon which makes them hardwearing and waterproof.  As one of the great disadvantages of a chain link dog kennel is that it doesn’t stop wind, rain or sun from getting to your pet you will find that a dog cage cover helps to solve the problem.

The covers are very adaptable and allow you to roll up one, two or three of the side panels at any one time.  People who show their dogs find this a particularly useful feature as it allows their dog to be observed from all angles.  It also allows the dog to see out of the crate as much as possible.  Alternatively you can put all the panels down if you have a dog who barks at everything that he sees when you transport him in his cage.

One of the main aims of a dog kennel is to keep your dog warm in the winter and cool in the summer.  With this in mind it is possible to buy reversible dog crate covers which have one silver side.  By putting the silver on the outside you will be reflecting the sun away on hot days, keeping the interior cool and by putting it on the inside the heat will be kept in during the cold winter months.

When looking to buy one of these covers you should ensure that it has adequate ventilation for your pet, even when all sides are rolled down.  Some of them also come with pockets in which you can store things such as dog brushes and leads.

By adding a cover to your crate you also help to create the feeling of being in a den which is so important when trying to make your dog feel comfortable in a new place.  This way the walls help him feel secure and reduce anxiety.

If you have a large dog exercise pen then you will be unlikely to find a cover which will cover the whole pen but will instead be looking at dog crate covers which simply cover the roof.  They have ties at each corner for fixing the cover to the top of the pen and stopping it from simply blowing away.  These covers will keep off the worst of the rain or give shelter from the heat of the sun but won’t be much use in stormy conditions.