Dog Kennel Guide

Now that so many people go out to work during the week there are many dogs who are left out in yards or dog pens during the daytime.  This, of course, is great for reducing boredom and allowing your dog to get some exercise and to play in a large space but it is not so great when he wants to get a bit of sleep.  A dog who is used to sleeping in a basket indoors won’t be completely comfortable just lying on the ground outside.  The answer to this is to buy an outdoor dog bed for him.

These beds are specially designed to be used outside in all weathers and many are not just suitable for dogs who are out during the day but also for those who sleep out in a dog kennel at night.  There are two main types of this sort of bed: waterproof dog beds and raised dog beds.

A waterproof dog bed is one which has a special nylon cover which is totally water resistant.  This means that it doesn’t matter if it gets rained on or if a wet dog lies on it as the water cannot soak through and ruin the cushion inside.  This will save you a lot of money as once the stuffing in a bed gets wet it soon starts to clump together, harden and smell.  You can choose between a simple mattress style or a basket with removable cushion.  The baskets are also covered with the same material and so the whole lot is protected from water.

A raised dog bed is an aluminium frame with heavy duty waterproof fabric stretched over the top.   This type of outdoor dog bed has several advantages over the former type of bed.  One is that because they allow air to circulate around the whole bed it will dry much more quickly should it get rained on and the other is that, because it is not actually directly on the floor it stops the cold from creeping up into your dog and giving him a chill.

As you can see, both types of bed are very suitable for outdoor use though a raised bed is probably slightly better for a dog pen while a waterproof mattress is ideal for dog who sleep in wooden dog kennels as they are slightly more comfortable for longer periods of rest or sleep.

So, if you are fed up with replacing your dog’s bed because it’s got wet and soggy start looking into outdoor dog beds and all your problems will be solved.

If your dog spends his nights indoors then you have probably never given a thought to what would happen if you needed to put him outdoors to sleep.  It is not just a simple case of moving the kennel that he has always used in the kitchen out into the garden.  You will need to provide him with an insulated dog house to ensure that he doesn’t get hypothermia in the cold winter weather.

Wooden dog kennels are the most naturally insulated dog kennel as wood is a warm material.  Not only this but it is a simple matter to increase their level of warmth even further.  First tack some insulating felt to the walls and ceiling and then place a layer of chipboard over the top of this, keeping it securely nailed in place.  Some people also add false floors to their dog kennel to give a further layer of warmth beneath the dog as the cold can seep in from the ground below.

If you are building the kennel from scratch then you can make sure that your dog is particularly snug by using insulated dog house plans.  These are easy to find on the internet and are totally free of charge to use.

Though wooden kennels are the most well known type of insulated dog kennels there are also plastic kennels which have been designed specifically with outdoor use in mind.  These are a relatively new idea which is rapidly catching on.  Produced with a raised floor and a layer of insulating foam between the outer and inner shell these features, as well as a cat flap style front door, make them a great contender when considering which kennel to buy.  They also have the added advantages of being easier to clean than wooden dog houses and not needing wood treatment each year to stop them from rotting.

Of course if you live somewhere that the temperature falls drastically at night then you might need more than insulation to keep your pet warm.  Luckily there are quite a few dog accessories on the market to help solve this problem.  Firstly, there are quite a few different items of clothing that can help your dog to maintain his body heat.  These range from pyjamas to dog sweaters and can be bought relatively cheaply online or at your local pet store.  As well as dog clothes there are heated dog beds, which maintain a regular temperature all day long.  The only issue with using one of these is that you will need an electricity supply to plug it into.

So, if your dog is whining and shivering in his dog house during the winter months then consider looking at insulated dog houses as a solution to your problem.

You might think that buying a dog bed is a simple matter of choosing a cushion that fits well into your pet’s basket or dog kennel.  However, with all the different types of bed on offer today you should really do some research into which type would best suit your dog.  If he is the kind of animal that likes to jump in puddles or streams while out on a walk or if you live somewhere with high rainfall then selecting one of the waterproof dog beds available will really save you money in the long run.

Unless you thoroughly towel dry your dog as soon as he returns from a walk or else prevent him from getting into bed then over time you will find that the stuffing in the cushion starts to clump together making the bed uncomfortable.  The warm, wet conditions will also make it a breeding ground for bacteria and may even make the cushion start to go mouldy.  Also, if he sleeps in one of the outdoor wooden dog kennels then you may find that it takes a long time for the bed to dry out and so he could catch a chill if the temperature drops at night.

Waterproof dog beds are specially designed to stop this problem as the cushions have waterproof dog bed covers made from specially coated nylon or polyester material.  These are made to be very hardwearing and durable and are very easy to clean because you can use a damp cloth to wipe off any dirt.  If the bed gets particularly dirty then you can also put it in the washing machine.

Because these beds are particularly designed with outdoor dogs in mind they are made with thermally insulating filling which will help to keep him warm even if he is wet.

The beds come in a variety of different styles from simple flat mattresses to basket style beds where the basket itself is also made from waterproof material with a removable cushion inside.  This way it doesn’t matter if your dog lies up against the side of his bed, it will still not get soggy.

Though these beds can be quite expensive it is possible to find cheap waterproof dog beds in end of season sales or on the internet if you search around.

So, next time you pass your dog’s bed and get a whiff of damp doggy remember that a waterproof dog bed will help to prevent this problem as well as keeping your dog comfortable and dry.

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.

Though there are hundreds of different styles of dog kennel on the market they can generally be subdivided into 3 main construction types: plastic, metal and wood.  For many people the only types that they would ever consider are traditional wooden dog kennels.

A wooden kennel is aesthetically pleasing and blends in much better with a garden surrounding than, say, a metal dog cage.  Also, as long as they are made from wood from a sustainable source, they are much more environmentally friendly.  There are several important features of an outdoor dog kennel that wooden dog kennels fulfil admirably.  One is that a dog who has to sleep in it during winter weather or overnight is kept nice and warm.  Wood is a very warm material and, with good insulation felt fixed to all internal surfaces, will keep the kennel well insulated against the cold.  Another feature is that it must be hardwearing, both to withstand being exposed to the elements and to endure the not so gentle attention of its occupant.  Luckily if you buy a dog kennel made from good quality wood and make sure that you weatherproof it with wood stain or varnish every year then it should last easily as long as its resident.

Many people are very specific about the features that they want for their dog house and if you feel that you can’t find exactly what you would like either online or in a pet store then your best bet might be building a dog kennel yourself.  You may at first think that this would be too difficult, but if you make sure that you do some research first and then draw yourself a detailed plan then all but the most hapless ‘Do It Yourself’ enthusiasts should be able to build a very passable kennel.

You will need to make a decision as to whether you want a flat or pitched roof and how many rooms you will require.  Some people who like to pamper their dogs will have them living in nothing but luxury dog kennels with both a bedroom and living room and a heated pet bed to keep them warm when the temperature drops.

Of course wooden dog kennels, like all other types of kennel will need certain accessories to ensure that your dog it comfortable.  A large water bowl so that he always has a supply of fresh water and a comfortable bed to lie on are essential but a good selection of dog toys to keep him occupied will also be much appreciated.