Dog Kennel Guide

If you are the owner of a large breed of dog such as an Irish Wolfhound or a Red Setter then you will be aware that simply leaving your pet to roam out in the garden is not always a viable option.  Not only is it possible that he could simply leap over the fence and escape to get lost or hurt on the roads, he is capable of causing untold damage by digging up flower beds or chewing on garden furniture should he start to get bored.  If you try to tie him to his dog kennel to restrict his movement he may well get tangled up or be strong enough to simply drag his kennel around the garden with him! By far the best solution to these problems will be found by looking at a range of large pet pens.

Pens for large dogs come in two main forms: chain link and modular.  How you use the pet play pen should help you decide which would best suit you.  Chain link pens are very easy to construct, light in weight and cheaper to buy.  However, they don’t have the longevity of modular pens, which are often powder coated, and are not quite so strong.  Having a galvanised dog run like this will ensure that it doesn’t rust.  If your dog is a bit of an escape artist then a modular version is pretty much guaranteed to keep him enclosed.  However, they are more expensive, more difficult to construct and, once built, are pretty much permanent structures.

Remember that for a dog to be happy in an enclosed space like this it will need to be large enough for your pet to be able to gather some speed while running and to play with his toys freely.  Don’t forget that if you are going to have a large dog kennel in one corner then the space will be quite reduced and so you may even need to look at an extra large pet pen.  As you see, you will need to have quite a large garden to start with before you even think about this purchase.

Of course not everyone is looking for outdoor pet playpens.  It may be that you need one for in the house to prevent your dog from chewing on the furniture while you are away from home.  As an indoor pet pen can often also double as a room divider or a gate for a doorway they are very versatile in their use.

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.