How to Build a Chain Link Dog Kennel

By Andrew Bicknell

For those of us that already own dogs finding a place to keep them can be as easy as a fenced backyard. But what if the backyard doesn’t have a fence or one day your wife and kids come home with a cute puppy but you have no place to keep the new family addition. Fencing in the entire backyard can be cost prohibitive but keeping the little guy in the house all the time is not a good idea either, particularly if he grows up to be a big dog. The answer to the problem may well be to build a chain link dog kennel.

A chain link dog kennel is not difficult to build. Of course before you build your dog kennel you will have to formulate a plan and decide how big the kennel needs to be. The size of the kennel will depend on the size of the dog when he is full grown. A small dog will obviously only need a small space but a bigger dog will need plenty of room to move around, not to mention the size of a shelter or dog house in the kennel. The height of the fence needs to be considered carefully for bigger dogs because some breeds have the ability to easily jump a four foot fence.

After you decide how big to make your chain link dog kennel the next step is figuring out where you will build it and what materials you need to build it with. There are different types of chain link fence out there with different spacing between the wires and different heights that can range from three feet to ten feet. Planning ahead will make certain that you choose the correct materials before you start building your chain link dog kennel because you don’t want to have to tear it down and start over after you find out you didn’t make it big enough for that cute little puppy that’s now over one hundred pounds.

When choosing the posts for your chain link dog kennel you can go with the standard metal posts that most chain link fences are built with or you can choose landscape timbers. Metal posts will have to be cemented into the ground which means the kennel will be permanently located in the position you have chosen. Landscape timbers don’t necessarily have to be concreted which gives you the option of moving the kennel or even taking it with you if you move.

Building your own chain link dog kennel can be done rather quickly and easily if you plan correctly. It is also cheaper then hiring someone else to build it or buying a pre-built one.

The Flexibility Of A Modular Dog Kennel

By : Andrew Bicknell

Flexibility is probably the strong suit of buying a modular dog kennel. With the variety of options available on the market today this type of kennel can be made into whatever shape or size a dog owner desires. They are also designed to be used either inside or outside and since they are modular they can easily be taken apart and set up again in another location and configuration.

There are several reasons you may be interested in obtaining a modular dog kennel. Maybe you want to crate or kennel train a new puppy, or you need the safety and peace of mind having your dog kenneled brings while you are gone during the day, or it's time to replace an old kennel that's worn out and falling apart.

A modular dog kennel is comprised of a series of panels that can be connected together in any number of configurations to form an enclosure. There can also be a gate that can be inserted into the design anywhere between two of the panels. This allows for great flexibility when laying out the design that will work best for the area you have.

Because they are reasonably priced a modular dog kennel is a highly versatile alternative to the more standard type of kennel most people are used to. In fact when it comes to choosing a kennel it is hard to beat the flexibility of the modular option.

The reason for this is simple; unlike buying a complete dog kennel if you buy the modular dog kennel panels and gate then you can customize the dog kennel much more freely and easily, creating the perfect kennel for your dog or dogs. Another reason to purchase this type of kennel is that as your dog grows, or you bring another dog into your family you can easily add more panels to increase its size.

An added bonus of using a modular dog kennel is savings. By purchasing the panels and putting it together yourself you can avoid the high cost of planning and building a custom kennel that cannot be moved or modified easily. You can find any number of modular kennels at online sites at very competitive process. A good modular dog kennel can cost anywhere from under $500 to nearly $2000, depending on the size and the quality. For the average dog owner the cheaper models will work just fine. If you own a large dog or will have multiple dogs sharing the kennel then it may be best to go with a more expensive version for strength and reliability. You will also receive step by step instructions on how to assemble your new kennel when you receive your product.

A modular dog kennel is comprised of a series of panels that can be connected together in any number of configurations to form an enclosure. There can also be a gate that can be inserted into the design anywhere between two of the panels. This allows for great flexibility when laying out the design that will work best for the area you have.

If you are thinking of getting a kennel for your dog then it only makes sense to seriously consider a modular dog kennel. The convenience and ease of use make this type of kennel a great choice for any dog owner.

Keep Your Pet Safe with an Outdoor Dog Kennel

By Andrew Bicknell

If you are a dog owner without a backyard and don’t like the idea of chaining your pet to a tree but also do not like to let him run free then an outdoor dog kennel may be the perfect way to keep you pet safe when you are away. An outdoor dog kennel works well if you don’t mind having your dog in the house with you when you are home but not when you are at work or out doing other things. If you are concerned that your pet may run away or get hit by a car then a kennel will give you the peace of mind that your four legged friend is safe.

Your can get an outdoor kennel in almost any configuration that best suits the needs of you and your dog. When it becomes to decide which type of kennel will work best here are a few things to think about. If you are renting or leasing your home it may be best to go with a kennel that can be easily dismantled and relocated if and when you move. If you own your home something more permanent that can be integrated into your yard will probably work best.

A permanent outdoor dog kennel has the advantage of being bigger as well, giving your dog more room to move around when you are not home. A smaller portable dog kennel will obviously not have as much room and it can be something of a hassle to put up and take down at times.

If you are leaning more towards a permanent outdoor dog kennel then you will have to decide if you want to build it or have someone else do the dirty work for you. If you decide to build your own dog kennel then spend some time researching plans and materials. You can find all sorts of plans and ideas just by searching on the internet. Be sure to measure the area in your yard where you want to place the kennel before you decide on a plan to make sure it will fit. Once you find a plan or design your own to the size and specs you want it is time to get the material and set up you dogs new kennel.

An outdoor dog kennel is a great way to keep your pet safe when you are not home. It may take a little time for your dog to get used to being confined in his new kennel but before long it will be like his second home and you will like the peace-of-mind you have knowing he will be safely awaiting your return whenever you go to work or out to run errands.

Do You Need a Dog Kennel Fence?

By Andrew Bicknell

There’s nothing better then coming home from work only to find that your dog has gotten into yours or your neighbors trash and has scattered garbage up and down the street. Or even better is finding your favorite lawn chair or a pair of sandals all chewed up in the backyard. And there is no worse feeling then finding out your dog got out and either ran away or ran out into the street only to get hit by a car.

If you do not have a fenced yard or your dog easily escapes from your backyard then it may be time to install that dog kennel fence. Putting one together is not hard and will go along ways towards keeping your four legged friend safe. In fact if you have a big tree in your backyard you can build your dog kennel around it, giving your dog shade during the hot summer months.

Fencing for a dog kennel can be bought at any home improvement or pet store and is relatively inexpensive. When you take the plunge and start planning your dog kennel you will need to lay out the perimeter in your yard. Take measurements to figure out how much fence will be needed. Dog kennel fence comes in rolls starting at 50 feet up to 100 feet. You will also need to decide how high you want your kennel fence to be. If you have a small dog that doesn’t jump very high then a shorter fence will do. For bigger dogs 5 to 6 foot high fences are needed.

The other thing to think about when buying your material is how smart is your dog. There are dogs out there that can figure out how to climb a fence and get out of their yard or kennel. If this is something your dog has shown some ability to do you might consider a dog kennel fence with smaller holes or put a roof over the kennel. A dog kennel is of little use if your dog can easily get out.

The safety of your dog is the primary reason for building a dog kennel fence, but the peace of mind for you, his owner, knowing that he is safe when you are not home is also worth a lot.

The Benefits of Dog Kennel Training

By Andrew Bicknell

Dog kennel training is controversial in some circles. There are some people who believe that putting a dog in a kennel is type of punishment that no dog should have to endure. What many of these people may not realize is that most dogs need a safe a secure place to call there own. So instead of the closet corner, the bottom dresser drawer or a laundry basket full of clean clothes why not give them a place that is specifically theirs. As long as a dog kennel is used properly your dog will suffer little harm.

The first thing to understand is that when dog kennel training is to never use the kennel as a place you put your dog as a punishment if he has done something wrong. It may be tempting to do but you do not want your dog to become afraid of their kennel. It is also important not to leave your dog in a kennel for more then four hours at a time. Dogs, much like humans who work in a cube farm, need to get out in the fresh air, run around and take a potty break. Dogs will also begin to get anxious after about four hours cooped up in a kennel which will have the opposite affect of what you want to accomplish. The key to successfully kennel training your dog is doing it correctly.

There are many reasons to kennel train a dog. It is important to identify which behavior you are going to be kennel training your dog for. Does he need to be potty trained or is he chewing up things he shouldn't be? Once you the problem is known you can tailor the kennel training to fit your needs.

The idea is to make the kennel as homey as possible for your four legged friend. Make sure there is a warm comfortable pad or blanket to lay on and keep food and most importantly water available. You dogs kennel should be a place that he can go and feel safe and comfortable, this will make the training go much easier.

Let's look at two areas where dog kennel training works well; chewing and house-breaking.

You should keep chew toys available in your dogs kennel and no where else. If you catch him chewing something he shouldn't reprimand him firmly but do not yell at him. Show him his chew toy and put him in his kennel.

House-breaking can take a little more work, but using a kennel is a good way to break your dog of his house messing habits. If he claims his kennel as his refuge he will be like most all other dogs in that he won't go to the bathroom where he sleeps. When he is in his kennel keep an eye on him and when he starts to get restless let him out and take him outside to do his business. Praise him once he is done and repeat this process. He will soon learn that going to the bathroom is an outside activity.

Dog kennel training works well for stubborn or hard to train dogs. If used in the correct way it is a good way to train you dog to be a well behaved family friend.