Dog Kennel Guide

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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When you first hear the term ‘Dog Clothing’ you may think that it sounds like something dreamed up by a crazy person with too much time on their hands.  However once you start looking more closely at the ranges of apparel available you will realise that most of it is of a very practical nature.

Dogs are now kept as pets in many areas of the world where they did not evolve naturally.  On top of this, with modern breeding techniques, there are large numbers of dogs who don’t have the thick coats of dogs bred for particularly cold climates or else are clipped over certain parts of their body.  If this is the case for your dog then you may want to look into the kinds of clothing available to keep him warm.

It is all very well having an insulated dog kennel but, in severe winter temperatures, a dog sweater will give him an extra layer of protection.  Small dog clothing can look a lot like children’s wear but it has been specially designed so that it fits their longer bodies and has holes for all four legs.

As well as practical clothing items there are also clothes which help to keep your dog safe. For anyone who takes their dog on boat trips with them is a doggie life jacket.  Though it is well known that dogs are good swimmers, even they would struggle in rough waters or if they had to spend a long time in the water.  Another great item is a reflective jacket or bandana so that your dog can be seen by drivers on dark nights or in poor weather conditions.

If you work long hours and so put your dog into doggie day care or employ someone for their dog walking services then you may wish to provide a waterproof dog coat so that he will be able to join in with all walks, no matter what the weather.

Though most dog clothing and accessories are of a practical nature, to keep you dog warm and dry, designer dog clothing is becoming an every larger market with everything from diamond studded designer dog collars to cashmere sweaters available for the furriest member of the family.

You may think that large dog clothing will be the most difficult to acquire but there are plenty of companies out there who cater specifically for bigger dogs and so a bit of research on your part will soon come up with results.

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.

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.