Dog Kennel Guide

Getting a new dog can be an expensive time, not only will it cost you to buy the dog himself you will also need to buy a whole array of dog accessories so that he has as comfortable and enjoyable a life as possible.  Dog crates and kennels are some of the most expensive of these accessories and there are is a huge array from which you can choose which we will discuss here.

Wooden dog kennels – These are for use outdoors and are well insulated against the cold.  They are also the most aesthetically pleasing type of kennel as well as being the most environmentally friendly, as long as they are made from a renewable wood source.

Soft dog crates – These crates can fold up when not in use and so are great for space saving.  The nylon cover can also be removed and washed and so is easy to keep clean.  They are mainly used when transporting dogs or as a temporary home when visiting friends or relatives.

Plastic dog kennel – These are easy to clean, lightweight and colourful.  You can buy one to fit in with the decor of any room but the light weight ensures that it can be easily moved if necessary.  Mass production ensures that these are cheap dog crates which can be afforded by anyone.

Life stages dog crate – These are metal crates which can be used for house training, transporting your pet or confining him when necessary.  The reason that they use the term life stages is that there is a divider which can be removed as your dog grows so it is suitable for both puppies and full grown dogs.

No matter what type of dog crates and kennels you decide to opt for you will be able to use them to improve the comfort of your pet.  They provide a safe, warm environment in which he can sleep without risk of being disturbed.  You can put in a nice, soft cushion to make a bed plus some fun toys for him to play with while he’s in there.  Not only this but a dog kennel can be used to house train your pet.  This works because a dog will not soil his own bed and so, if you keep him in there, he will wait until you take him out into the garden before he does his business.

As you can see, dog crates and kennels are invaluable to both owners and their pets.

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.

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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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.

If you are searching the internet for dog crates then one name that you will encounter time and again is Vari Kennel by Petmate.  These crates are extremely durable being made from heavy duty plastic and so will last you and your pet a very long time.  This style of dog kennel has 3 main uses:

House Training

If you have a new puppy who is not yet house trained then vari kennels are a great option.  A dog will always try to keep the place where it sleeps and rests clean and so by making the kennel a fun place to be, by adding interesting toys, your puppy will want to spend time there but will try and hold on.  You do need to make sure that you take him outside regularly to allow him to go to the toilet somewhere suitable but he should gradually be able to go for longer and longer periods between going out.  The great thing about these kennels is that they are plastic and so very easy to clean and anti-bacterial and many versions have a gutter running round the edge of the floor so that if the puppy does happen to urinate he won’t have to sit in the wet.

Transporting

Most people need to put their dog in the car at some point or another.  Either to take him to the vets or a dog boarding kennels or when visiting friends and family.  A vari kennel is ideal for car travel as it has a handle on the top (up to medium sized kennels) for carrying it and a hole to pass a seat belt through which will make the journey much safer.  Strong wire mesh doors have easy opening latches for easy access to your pet.

Airline Travel

A petmate vari kennel is one of the few kennels which is airline approved.  This means that, unlike with many kennels, the kennel is allowed to transport dogs on a plane.  This is because it has plenty of ventilation so that the dog can breathe easily in the hold and special side bars which ensure that the kennel cannot lie flat against a wall reducing ventilation.  It is also possible to clip a water bowl to the door or floor in a deluxe vari kennel so there is no risk of your dog going thirsty on a long journey.   The final advantage is that they are one of the few kennels that vary in size from very small to large enough for a Doberman or Great Dane.

Many people would argue that dogs are made for walking and that the phrase ‘walkies’ brings about a huge amount of excitement and bouncing around.  However, for some dog walking isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.  It may be that your dog is old and arthritic and, though he still loves to be outdoors, he can’t walk any distance any more.  Or it may be that you have a smaller dog but often go for very long walks which he can’t manage with his little legs.  In these cases you would be well advised to look into buying a dog carrier.

Believe it or not there is actually a large and varied range of dog carriers on the market today.  Most people are well aware of the dog crates which are used when carrying a dog to the vets or a boarding kennel.  These are made from plastic with a grate at the front to stop the dog from getting out.  If you are proud of your green credentials then a cardboard eco-carrier made from mostly re-cycled materials will stop you panicking about the amount of plastic you are using.

If you have a particularly petite pet then a small dog carrier in the form of a hand bag is all you will need.  These specially designed bags have reinforced handles which are slightly longer than those on a normal handbag so that the dog can sit up and poke his head out.  The bag is also well ventilated so that your pet is able to breathe even if the bag is done up.

Modes of transport for babies have also been used as a model for various types of dog carrier.  It is possible to get a front pouch style carrier for dogs up to about 20lbs.  These have padded bottoms and a lead and collar fastener at the top to stop the dog from escaping.  They also have lots of useful pockets for the dog owner to stash his or her belongings.  The other type of carrier is in the form of a stroller only the seat is completely flat and padded with a mesh front to stop the dog from jumping out.

The final type of dog carrier to discuss is a collapsible carrier.  These are made from a light metal frame which has a nylon cover stretched over it.  These are incredibly light weight and fold down very small and so don’t take up much space.  This type of carrier is ideal for journeys in the car.

So, next time you think that you will have to leave your pet at home in his dog kennel while you go out for a walk, think again!

Some people would suggest that dog crates are cruel, cage like structures which remove an animal’s freedom.  However, dogs don’t see it this way.  In their wild, undomesticated past dogs found dens where they had a safe place to go and watch the world go by.  Today’s dogs will still generally find some sort of hidey hole in their owner’s house where they can rest or sleep undisturbed.  By providing them with a dog kennel or crate you are giving them their own little den.  There are several different types of crate available.

Plastic dog crates

These crates are mainly used for transporting small to medium sized dogs, either on visits to the vet or on car journeys.  They are hardwearing and easy to clean and generally have a grate like door, which can be totally removed, at the front.  These are the cheapest type of crate available.

Folding dog crates

These crates are slightly more expensive as they have a frame with fabric stretched over it.  These collapsible dog crates are great for people who want to save space as they can be easily hidden away when not in use.  The nylon covers of soft dog crates can also be put into a washing machine, making them very hygienic.

Metal crates

These are much sturdier and make a great large dog kennel.  They will last much longer than a plastic crate and tend to be a more permanent structure as they aren’t very easy to move once put into place.  Being large they will allow your dog more freedom to play and exercise while still being a safe, secure environment.

Car crates

These are specially designed to fit into the boot of a car and represent a safe, clean way to transport dogs.  The dogs can’t escape into the front of the car where they could cause an accident by paying the driver a visit and, should an accident occur it will prevent them from being thrown across the car.

In short, crates are a form of dog kennel to be used for keeping your dog safe, either while in transport or in your home or garden.  They represent somewhere that a dog can sleep or relax without worrying about any noise or chaos going on around him.  They come in all different sizes and the material from which they are constructed will vary depending on the main use that the crate is for.

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.