Dog Kennel Guide

Are you thinking of buying your dog a new bed?  Well there are simply thousands to choose from in a variety of different designs.  You might want a durable, easy to wash plastic bed, a fancy fabric bed, a classy wicker basket or a waterproof bed for those dogs who have a tendency to jump into bed while still soggy from their latest dip in a stream.  However, one of the newer varieties of bed out there is called a Coolaroo Dog Bed.

These are basically raised dog beds where a steel frame, powder coated with zinc to give longevity, is covered with a tough, fabric top.  These beds are particularly useful in certain situations.  If your dog spends his day in a dog pen then there is a chance that he could start to get quite hot on a sunny day.  However, the breathable fabric of these beds ensures that your dog’s body heat can escape and that fresh air can easily circulate around him.  Of course, it’s not just the heat that you want to protect your dog from.  If the weather is very cold then a basket that is placed directly onto the cold ground will soon pass that chill onto your dog.  By being raised off the ground this ceases to be a problem.

Another great reason to buy a raised dog bed is if your dog is elderly or suffers from any kind of joint problems.  By having a bed that is off the ground your dog does not need to bend as much when lowering itself into bed and it is not such an effort to get up either.

One reason that Coolaroo dog beds are great dog accessories for any dog at all is that they are resistant to mildew and also, unlike traditional dog cushions, can’t be infested with mites or fleas.  The fabric is also very easy to keep clean by hosing down and dries very quickly in the fresh air.

These elevated dog beds are also particularly popular with dog owners who really like to pamper their pets. Often these dogs have a dog kennel the size of a summer house with loads of very human touches such as curtains and rugs.  Of course, these beds look a lot more like human beds than a basket and so fit in well with the general feel of the dog home.

A Coolaroo dog bed is also very easy to construct and quite cheap to buy in comparison to other types of dog basket.  They generally come with a warranty and spare covers are easy to get hold of.

Just like humans all dogs need a bed.  They may appear comfortable enough lying on the floor but for a good quality sleep, a cosy bed is required.  Luckily enough there are hundreds of different beds out there to suit every size and shape of dog, from a huge Wolf Hound to a tiny Chihuahua.  However, some owners want more than just a place for their dogs to lie.  They want a statement.  Something which tells people about their dog and, if the dog is a female, then this will often be a pink dog bed.  There is a huge range of pink beds on the market and here we will discuss the different types and their advantages.

If your dog sleeps in a dog kennel then the bed may simply be a cushion.  To really make the kennel stand out a fluffy, electric pink cushion is your best option.  People will be able to see it in the doorway and it will give your dog’s home a luxurious feel.  However, if your dog sleeps in one of the rooms in your house or an open dog pen then something more substantial will be required.  Because the whole of the bed will be visible you will want to look at some really fancy dog beds and often the best place to look is an auction site on the internet.

Here you will find pink dog beds made from all different sorts of fabric and often you can select a bed with one colour on the outside and a different one for the inside.  Sometimes you will even be able to have the bed personalised with your dog’s name.  Another great thing about these sites is that often you can buy other matching items to create a whole ‘look’ for your pet.  You may want a bowl, collar and lead or even a dog carrier in the same fabric and style.

One thing that you do have to be aware of with these cute dog beds is that they are not always totally practical. Think carefully about which fabric will best suit your pet as a dog who moults a lot or often gets muddy would probably be best with an easy wash fabric.   If she spends a lot of time out in the wet or jumping in rivers then a waterproof or plastic bed will be the most sensible idea, but don’t worry that you won’t be able to find cool dog beds like this as they also come in a range of pinks!

So, if you want to make your little pooch feel like a special girl then look for a really luxurious pink dog bed for her to curl up in and enjoy a good night’s sleep.

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Though dogs love to play, run around and explore, they also spend a fair amount of their day either asleep or dozing.  If you want your dog’s sleep to be of good quality, which will help to ensure that he remains healthy, then you need to choose carefully when you buy his bed.  Though there are many different types and styles of bed available to buy for dogs, here we are going to discuss the features and advantages of a waterproof dog bed.

Waterproof dog beds have a high quality filling which doesn’t squash and go flat over time, covered with a waterproof polyester fabric.  This fabric can be cleaned by either hosing it down or simply wiping it with a damp cloth and is quite tough, making it difficult (but not actually impossible) for a dog to chew holes in it.

There are several reasons why you might want to buy this sort of bed.  Firstly, it makes an excellent outdoor dog bed for those whose pets spend lots of time in a dog pen.  Their very nature means that it doesn’t matter if there is a rain shower which has not been forecast as they will not be ruined by water, where other beds would become soggy and unusable.  Secondly, if you have a dog who spends as little time as possible in his dog kennel and instead uses his time jumping in rivers or rolling in muddy puddles then you will want a waterproof dog bed.  It won’t matter if he goes straight from a muddy puddle into his bed, you can just wipe the mud off with a cloth.

These beds are becoming so popular that you can now get loads of different varieties from a designer dog bed for a pampered pooch in fancy colours or patterns to an enormous bed that will perfectly suit the large dog kennel of a bulky wolf hound.  You can buy flat beds, which are basically just a cushion, or a basket style bed which helps to keep in the heat and keep a damp doggy warm and toasty.

Though a waterproof dog bed actually needs no additions, some people choose to buy the optional extra of a fleecy cover.  These covers will give extra warmth in particularly cold conditions or for dogs with fine coats and can be easily put into the washing machine if they get a bit dirty or muddy.  As fleece fabric is very quick drying there is no risk of your dog catching a chill.

Amidst the excitement of thinking about the arrival of a new puppy you will also be considering the puppy accessories that you will need to buy to make his new life as comfortable and fun as possible.  One of the accessories that is thoroughly recommended by dog experts is a puppy play pen.  Here we will discuss the different types which you could buy and the benefits of owning one.

There are three main construction materials used for making puppy play pens: metal, plastic and fabric.  The type of puppy pen that you decide to buy will depend on what you will mainly be using it for.  Most people use them to help keep their newest family member confined to one place so that he can’t get himself into dangerous situations, say by chewing wires, or inadvertently destroy household objects.  By using a pen he can be in the same room as everyone else, feeling like a member of the family, without getting into mischief.

A lot of people also put a dog kennel into their puppy pens so that their pet has somewhere comfortable to go for all the naps that a young dog needs.  A kennel will also help with house training as a dog will not want to soil an area that it considers its own territory and so will try his best to wait until you take him out of the pen and kennel.  Make sure that you take him outside frequently and give him lots of praise for going to the toilet in the right place.

If you will be taking your puppy to visit lots of friends and relatives then your best option is a fabric puppy play pen, which will weigh very little and can be collapsed down to fit into a car or when it’s not in use.

A plastic dog pen will probably suit someone who doesn’t have a lot of space or who only intends their puppy to be in it for short periods of time, say when they leave the room.  They tend to be a lot smaller than metal pens and to have special carpet protecting corners.

A metal puppy play pen is likely to be larger and more sturdy and you can also use it as a room divider or door gate to keep the puppy in a certain area.  They are still very light and easy to move from room to room but take up more space.  The advantage of a metal pen is that as the puppy grows older you will be able to put it in the garden to make a run for his outdoor dog kennel.

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.

When you first start to think about buying equipment for the time when your puppy is ready to come home you should seriously consider a dog pen.  Dog pens are versatile and extremely useful for a variety of reasons and you will still find use for it once your dog is fully grown.

When your puppy is young you will use it mainly as a dog play pen.  A place where your puppy can run, play and be part of the family.  You can move it to whichever room the family is in so that the puppy feels like he’s joining in while not actually having access to things which he could damage, such as wires.  The pens are made of very lightweight metal so that they are easy to move around without risking hurting your back.

Another use is for house training your puppy.  If you place a small dog kennel within the dog pen then your puppy will consider all this area to be his ‘patch’.  He will, therefore, do his best not to do his business in the pen or kennel.  You will need to take him outside very regularly and give him lots of praise whenever he goes to the toilet in an appropriate place.  Always make sure that he is taken out of his pen about half an hour after a meal or else you’re just asking for trouble!

Dog play pens can also be used in slightly different ways.  Some people use them as a gateway across a door opening so that the dog is kept within a certain room but has free access to the room itself.  Once your dog gets bigger the pens can double up as outdoor dog exercise pens.  This will allow your pet to enjoy the sounds and sights of the outdoors without risk of escaping or digging up the garden.  Of course, unless it is a galvanised dog run it will need bringing indoors during bad weather or overnight as otherwise it could rust.  The galvanising process helps to protect metal from corrosion and so if the metal has been treated then the pen is safe to leave outside in all weathers.

If your dog is to spend any length of time in his pen then it is best to keep a dog kennel in it.  This way he can escape bad weather and also has somewhere to go when he just wants to lie down and relax.

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.