Outdoor Dog Run and Kennel

Buying a Dog Kennel

helenstraw — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 03:13:42 +0000

A dog kennel gives your dog his own space and provides security that your dog is safe in adverse weather. What features should you consider when buying a dog kennel?

Important factors to consider are: your dog’s size and your yard space, the ease of cleaning and installing the structure, and the structure’s durability. Note any features that make the kennel easy to clean and access. Some kennels have multiple doors. Carefully review the warranty before you make your purchase. Now that you know more about shopping for kennels, you can make an educated choice when selecting the perfect outdoor shelter for your dog.

Where to Position the Dog Kennel

helenstraw — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 03:09:43 +0000

Where to position the dog kennel is an important decision. Once you have built it, moving the kennel will be a difficult task. Near the back door of the house is a popular choice. It is quick and easy to get to which may be important when it is raining. However, the dog waste is certain to provide an unpleasant aroma on hot days.

For this reason, many people prefer to build it in against the fence in the back yard. Near a tree is usually a good idea. Your dog will appreciate being able to take advantage of the shade on a sunny day.

A Dog Pasture – The Grass Dog Run

helenstraw — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 03:06:21 +0000

Dogs love the grass dog run, but for owner it is a labor of love. The grass dog run needs a lot of frontend planning and design before building can begin. First a grass dog run needs to be wide enough to allow for grass cutting. Selecting the type of grass to use in the grass dog run is important. Use Kentucky Blue Grass because it holds up so well in horse pastures. You really need to have two dog runs that allows the grass time to rest between uses. It’s called Pasture Rotation and it keeps the areas from getting too muddy.

Gravel Dog Run Flooring

helenstraw — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 02:59:58 +0000

Gravel is a popular choice for inexpensive dog run flooring that looks nice when consistently cleaned and managed. Gravel is a quick option that does not require a lot of prep work, other than leveling the area, removing hazards and preventing weed growth.

When using gravel, it is essential that the dog run is shaded or roofed, as gravel can become uncomfortably hot in direct sunlight. Gravel can also seep out through the edges of your dog run, which can be managed by placing a low wood frame around the perimeter. If your dog is a digger, you may want to consider pouring concrete before placing the gravel to prevent escapes.

Gravel is relatively easy to maintain and allows for simple scooping of solid waste and hosing down to manage urine, making this a good choice for dog run flooring.

Dog Run Flooring

helenstraw — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 02:53:35 +0000

Dogs that are placed in a run can benefit from dog run flooring. Flooring acts as a barrier to protect your dog’s paws and can serve as a dig deterrant as well. Flooring can be something as simple as a high-density plasitc, or even a concrete pad poured over the run area. Rubber runs are also acceptable, however often they do not withstand chewing and scratching as well as the other alternatives. Concrete slabs provide sufficent protection and relatively easy clean-up, however odors can be absorbed by the porousness of the material and can linger even after cleaning. High density plastic is the optimal choice.