Dog Kennel Guide

Getting a new dog can be an expensive time, not only will it cost you to buy the dog himself you will also need to buy a whole array of dog accessories so that he has as comfortable and enjoyable a life as possible.  Dog crates and kennels are some of the most expensive of these accessories and there are is a huge array from which you can choose which we will discuss here.

Wooden dog kennels – These are for use outdoors and are well insulated against the cold.  They are also the most aesthetically pleasing type of kennel as well as being the most environmentally friendly, as long as they are made from a renewable wood source.

Soft dog crates – These crates can fold up when not in use and so are great for space saving.  The nylon cover can also be removed and washed and so is easy to keep clean.  They are mainly used when transporting dogs or as a temporary home when visiting friends or relatives.

Plastic dog kennel – These are easy to clean, lightweight and colourful.  You can buy one to fit in with the decor of any room but the light weight ensures that it can be easily moved if necessary.  Mass production ensures that these are cheap dog crates which can be afforded by anyone.

Life stages dog crate – These are metal crates which can be used for house training, transporting your pet or confining him when necessary.  The reason that they use the term life stages is that there is a divider which can be removed as your dog grows so it is suitable for both puppies and full grown dogs.

No matter what type of dog crates and kennels you decide to opt for you will be able to use them to improve the comfort of your pet.  They provide a safe, warm environment in which he can sleep without risk of being disturbed.  You can put in a nice, soft cushion to make a bed plus some fun toys for him to play with while he’s in there.  Not only this but a dog kennel can be used to house train your pet.  This works because a dog will not soil his own bed and so, if you keep him in there, he will wait until you take him out into the garden before he does his business.

As you can see, dog crates and kennels are invaluable to both owners and their pets.

Dogs, just like people, benefit greatly from a good night’s sleep.  It helps to keep them healthy, alert and stress free.  Of course the quality of the bed itself is important and if you are willing to spend the money then a memory foam dog bed will give considerable comfort to your pet.

However, it is not only the bed that is important, where it is situated is also vital.  Somewhere that is relatively peaceful and free from drafts is ideal and many people opt to buy a plastic dog kennel to help achieve this.  The kennel ensures that no drafts can get to your dog, even if the actual position is drafty.

Before dogs became domesticated, when they ran wild, they lived in packs and slept in dens.  The dens made them feel secure because the dogs knew that, even while they slept, nothing could creep up and attack them.  With only once entrance they could take turns in guarding the den, keeping the whole pack safe.  Plastic kennels help to recreate this environment and so ensure that your dog feels safe while he sleeps.

Plastic dog kennels also have several important advantages over other types of kennel.  Firstly, they are very light and so can be easily moved around your house as and when you have the need.  They are also easily cleaned and don’t retain that doggy smell which wooden kennels can sometimes start to have.  Being easy to mass produce they are also the cheapest type of dog home on the market and come in every size, shape and colour.

Of course not all kennels are for use just within the home.   If you need to transport your dog somewhere then one with a mesh door to prevent escape is perfect.  For maximum transporting potential you should consider a Vari Kennel as these are airline approved and so you can even take your dog on board a plane, as well as in your car.

Some people may say why on earth would you want a ‘plastic dog kennel’ when you can have a much classier wooden kennel but you should point out that wooden kennels need annual wood treatment to stop them rotting, are much more difficult to clean and are way too heavy to move around with any ease.

So, if you want to give your beloved pet the best night’s sleep he’s ever had then install one of these dog houses in your home or garden.  He will appreciate the warmth, comfort and security that it provides.

If you are looking to buy a dog kennel then you are in luck as the market is huge and so there is a kennel available in every size, shape and colour as well as being made from a variety of materials.  In fact you might find that you just have so much choice that a decision is even harder to make.  One variety is plastic dog kennels.  These are great for small to medium sized dogs but if you have a large dog then you would probably be better off with a wooden or metal kennel.

Thought there are different types of plastic dog crates they do all have some advantages in common.   The main one is that they are very light making them easy to carry and, therefore, easy to transport from room to room or into a car.  The smooth, impermeable surfaces in a plastic dog crate also make them incredibly easy to clean.  You can simply wash larger particles of dirt and hair out and then wipe down the crate with some anti-bacterial cleaner.

There are different varieties of plastic dog kennels made with different purposes in mind.  One type is made from rigid plastic with an easily removable grate at the front.  These are usually used for transporting a dog short journeys in a car, say to the vets or a boarding kennels.  You can buy these for medium sized dogs but for small dogs a cat kennel will work just as well.

A plastic dog house comes into its own when you want to house train a new puppy as dogs are naturally reluctant to go to the toilet in their own bed.  You can use this to your advantage by taking him out to the garden to do his business as soon as he comes out of his dog kennel and, even if he does have an accident, it won’t really matter as it’ll be an easy job to clean it up.

As well as rigid plastic dog kennels you can buy kennels with plastic frames that have nylon stretched over them.  These are made to be easy to fold up so that they don’t take up much space when not in use.  The nylon can also be removed and put into the washing machine when it gets dirty.  These are quite often used by people who take their dogs to shows as they only need them at certain times.