Dog Kennel Guide

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.

If you have to be away from home for any length of time each day then one of your main considerations should be the comfort and happiness of your dog while you’re not there.  There are numerous things that you can do to keep him entertained, safe and exercised from employing a dog walker to investing in a dog exercise pen.  Here we will discuss the uses of a dog pen to stop boredom.

Dogs are energetic animals which need plenty of exercise each day.  If they are cooped up all the time then they will start to display unwanted behaviour such as whining and barking or damaging furniture and other belongings.

Dog exercise pens are large, generally metal, structures which safely keep your dog in one place while allowing him to run around and play.  They will also protect your garden from being dug up and save you from having to block every hole and gap in your fence.  If your dog is a bit of an escape artist then you may want to invest in a pen with a roof and many people also put a dog kennel within the pen so that their dog has somewhere comfortable to sleep or just relax.

You can train a dog to use one of these from a very young age and many people invest in a puppy exercise pen so that their dog becomes accustomed to playing in it right from day one.

There are several important dog accessories which you will need to add to your dog exercise pen to ensure that your dog enjoys his time there.  One is a large water bowl which can’t easily be knocked over.  This way he will always remain well hydrated even in hot weather.  The other is a range of dog toys.  These should include toys that can exercise his jaws, such as hard, chewy toys, toys for running around with, such as balls and interactive toys.

Do remember though that a dog exercise pen is not supposed to replace proper exercise such as a long daily walk. So if you find that you are working such long hours that you can’t take him out daily then you might want to employ a dog walker or alternatively look into doggie day care.  This way your dog won’t come to view his pen as a cage as he can look forward to going out for a walk.

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.