Dog Kennel Guide

Years ago giving your dog exercise was easy, you either opened your front door so that he could go out for a wander on his own or else you just went out for a walk with him, letting him roam as he wished.  However, with the huge increase in traffic in recent years it has simply become too dangerous, both for the dog and car drivers, to allow your dog out alone or even to let him walk with you but out of your control.  Not only that but if you let him out on his own he is likely to be reported as a stray and picked up to be taken to a dog kennel and then re-homed.  As well as the danger posed by traffic many non dog owners really dislike the idea of dogs who aren’t under the control of their owners as they feel that they pose a risk to their own safety.  Answers to this range from using harnesses to a small dog collar to keep your dog in check whilst out dog walking.

Of course there are dog collars available for all sizes and breeds of dogs but there are certain features of collars for small dogs which need to be considered if you own one of the tiny breeds such as a Terrier or a Chihuahua.

Firstly it is possible for even small dog collars to damage the neck and spine of a small dog if the owner pulls too hard and so the collar needs to be very fine and gentle.  Mostly they are made from nylon or leather as these materials are the least harsh.  The collars often have quick release, plastic fastenings so that if you do accidentally pull too hard the collar will simply come undone rather than cause harm.  Though some people bypass the use of collars altogether by buying puppy clothes with integral harnesses this is not actually necessary as long as you are careful about not pulling too hard on the leash.

One of the nice things is that even if they are very small it is still possible to buy stylish dog collars in tiny sizes.  They are often brightly coloured or have fancy patterns so that your little pet can look cool while out for a walk.

As you can see, buying a small dog collar will stop your dog from getting run over or from running off and getting lost.

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!

Owning a dog is becoming more and more popular and dogs make fantastic pets.  However, the disadvantage over owning a cat is that they need more care and attention and can pine and get anxious when they aren’t with their owner.  While many dogs are happy to wait in their dog kennel for their owner’s return from work others bark and cause damage to the house or garden.

The answer to this is to put your pet into doggie day care while you are at work, or even if you are just going for a daytrip out where dogs can’t be taken.  This way they will be getting both company and exercise, two of the things closest to a dog’s heart!

Many doggie day care centres will collect your pet before you leave for work and take him to the centre.  Here the dog will be fed according to your wishes, regularly exercised by people employed especially for dog walking and washed if they get muddy when out walking.  If you are lucky they will even perform some of your weekly dog grooming chores such as brushing or clipping nails.

Your dog will be in safe hands as most centres have rules about not admitting violent dogs, though they may run obedience classes so that your dog can learn to behave well and then be admitted for day care.

One of the big advantages of doggy day care is that your pet will become very socialised after spending his days with dogs of every different size and breed.  They will also learn to respond to people, other than yourself, in an appropriate and trusting way.

When looking into the best centre for your dog, ensure that they have access to a vet at any time for emergencies and that they have facilities such a dog kennel and run for those that might want to spend a bit of time alone to chill out or sleep.  Some centres will even attend veterinary appointments with your pet if you can’t manage it due to work commitments.

If you are away on holiday then you may want to use a doggie day care centre which allows overnight stays or you may decide that dog sitting would be a better, where someone comes and stays in your house to look after your pet while you are away.  This way your pet can remain in the comfort of his own dog kennel while you are enjoying your break without worrying about him.