Dog Kennel Guide

There are so many varieties of dog kennel that when you first start to look for one you could start to feel totally overwhelmed.  There are dog homes for a huge variety of uses from a collapsible travel kennels to a chain link dog kennel which you would keep in the garden.  To help you decide which type of home to buy for your dog you will first need to consider the main uses that you need the kennel for.  It may be that you even decide that you will need more than one.  If your dog is to be kept outside during the day but you will bring him in at night time then some form of metal dog cage would probably be most suited to you.

These can be subdivided into modular or chain link dog kennels.  Here we will discuss the merits of a chain link dog kennel.

Firstly, they are incredibly easy to assemble yourself even if you are relatively unskilled at building things.  They come flat packed in a box for ease of transportation and you start by putting posts where you would like the four corners of the cage to be.  These can either be set into concrete or hammered securely into the ground.  Make sure that the dog kennel has enough space for the dog to be able to run a short distance and that it is at least partly shaded so that your dog doesn’t boil in the heat.  If there is no shade available then you can purchase run covers relatively cheaply.

Once the posts are securely in place then you simply unroll the chain link dog run and wrap it from post to post, attaching it firmly to each post.  Just remember to leave space for the gate, which will come ready made.  If your dog is likely to try and escape then you may wish to add a roof.

Many people decide to build a dog kennel and run combination so that their dog can play and exercise in the run but also has access to a place to rest or sleep.  The kennel should be built into one corner of the run so that it doesn’t prevent the dog from picking up speed when he runs around.

As well as being easy to construct and relatively cheap a chain link dog kennel is also quite lightweight and so if you find that you do need to move it you will be able to do so with little trouble.

There are a variety of situations when you might need a dog kennel and they come in several types to suit their purpose.  The most common type is the traditional outdoor dog house, then there are indoor and portable dog kennels and, finally kennels for several dogs.

Outdoor dog kennel

These dog houses need to be weather resistant and able to withstand extremes of high and low temperatures.  They also need to be strong, both to endure daily rough use by your pet and to protect him from any animals that live in your vicinity which could cause him harm.  Most of these dog kennels are made from wood as it retains warmth in the winter and remains cool in the summer months.  Sometimes they have 2 rooms so that the dog has a completely isolated place to go and sometimes they are combined with a pen to make a dog kennel and run.

Indoor dog kennel

This type of dog house is often used when people want to isolate their dog in their home.  Sometimes this is because a dog is nervous or aggressive around strangers or because you want to keep them from under your feet.  Some dogs also just like a safe bolthole!  What you should always remember is that dog should never be shut in for more than 2 hours and, if you are shutting your dog in because of behavioural problems then you should seek proper help instead of locking him away.  These kennels are often made from plastic, as this makes them light, portable and easy to clean.

Portable dog kennel

For most dog owners, their pet is one of the family.  This means that when they go visiting or on holiday that they want to take him too.  However, some dogs have a tendency to roam in the car, giving the seats a nice, hairy cover!  Also, the person that you are visiting may not actually want a dog wandering round their home.  For these situations, a portable dog kennel solves the problem.  They are often in a cage like form, to give the dog good visibility or are constructed from fabric, so that they are easy to fold away.

Multiple dog kennels

This type of dog kennel is used by people who own several dogs.  They are always made for keeping outdoors and have panels to separate the dogs.  If the dogs get on then a wire panel is sufficient, but if they have a tendency to ‘argue’ then a solid wooden panel is the best option.

Dog owners love their pets and, most of the time, are happy to have them in the house with them.  However, there are times when a sheltered outdoor space for your pet can come in very useful.  You may have guests who are nervous of dogs, your dog might not like young children who are visiting or you may just have things to do and not want your beloved pet beneath your feet.  In these situations you need a dog kennel.

If your dog has to stay outside for a period of time then you will want to ensure that he is safe and comfortable, protected from the elements.  This way he is much less likely to get stressed and start howling and making a fuss about being left outside.

Luckily for us, building dog kennels is not too difficult a procedure if you have the time and inclination.  First you need to decide on the style of dog kennel that you would like.  Will it have one room or two?  Will the roof be pitched or sloping?  Will it just be a kennel or a dog kennel and run? Then you need to ensure that your dog house is an adequate size by carefully measuring your pet.  In height it will need to be high enough for Rover to sit up straight and it will need to be long enough for him to lie down with his paws stretched out in front and behind.  The width should be gauged by seeing how much space is taken up when your dog is lying on his side.  Dog houses need to be large enough to be comfortable and by considering all these measurements you will make sure that it is.  Make sure that the entrance to the kennel is not too large as you don’t want to lose heat from it, shoulder height is about right.

The next part of the procedure is to gather together supplies that you will need: a tape measure, saw, nails, roofing felt and, of course, wood!  Remember that an outdoor dog kennel is constantly in the weather and so needs to be able to withstand heat, cold and rain.  It is therefore important that you use a good quality, treated wood. Shiplap is a popular option.

The final stage of your dog kennel build is the construction.  First build a frame and fix it to your base, then add the side and back panels and the front entrance.  It is a good idea to have a hinged roof so that it can be opened for easy cleaning.  Cover it with bituminous felt or some other covering that will be rain proof.

When you have decided to acquire a new dog you then need to consider all the different aspects of dog care that will make your new pet come to love his new home.  One thing that is recommended by all dog behaviour experts is to have a dog kennel.  This is because dogs need to have a place that they consider a safe haven to go to if they are ever feeling anxious, stressed or just tired.  By having this little bolt hole you will help to prevent any unwanted behaviour, such as barking, jumping up or shows of aggression.

Where possible it is best to start dog training when your dog is still a puppy.  This way he has never known anything other than his kennel.    You need to make the training as low key as possible.  It is probably best to start the training in the evening, as your dog will be tired and, hopefully, quite relaxed (it is no good trying to get him to try the house when all he wants to do is run around!)  Start by putting the dog home into the room with your pet and putting some items that you know he enjoys, such as a favourite toy or a bone, or even an item of your clothing so that it smells of you, into it.  Leave the dog alone and hopefully he will venture into it and realise that it is a nice, peaceful place to be.  You can then encourage him to go there whenever he wants to rest or sleep.

Dog kennels should then be used for various occasions so that your pet does not think that it is only for ‘going in the car’ or ‘when nervous guests arrive’.  Otherwise you may have trouble getting him in at other times.

If your dog shows no signs of wanting to investigate his new dog kennel then you need to be firm and insist that he enters.  Leave him there only for a couple of minutes on the first occasion and then gradually begin to increase this, giving him praise for trying it out.

It is important that you make the dog training fun and enjoyable and never use it as a form of punishment.  If you shut your dog up in his crate for a misdemeanour then he will come to associate it with bad things.

Once your dog is completely comfortable with his new home you can move him to an outdoor dog kennel or a portable kennel with a minimum of fuss.