4 Tips for Choosing a Dog Kennel

By Jason Mann

Today more than ever it is important to provide our canine companions with a safe living environment regardless of where we live. Many states and cities require dogs have proper housing both inside and out.

Neighborhood associations are jumping on this bandwagon and requiring that dog owners keep their dogs confined to their yards using outdoor kennels that are surrounding by fences.

Whatever your thoughts on the subject providing a nice kennel set up for your dog is a great way to give them a secure way to enjoy the outdoors or for keeping them out of trouble during the night in your home.

We have a lot to cover so lets jump right in shall we...

Tip #1: Location, Location, Location.

If you are planning to put the kennel outside you will require a different set up than if you want to set the kennel up in doors.

Indoor kennels are bit smaller and are made of either wire, chain link, or plastic.

Outdoor kennels are usually larger and are made of chain link fencing. Either way you need to know where you want to put the kennel before you decide on what kind of kennel you want to buy.

Tip #2: Size.

Kennels both indoor and outdoor should be big enough for the dog to move around in.

Outdoor kennels should offer plenty of room to move around in so the dog can move
from one side to another easily and have plenty of space for resting as well.

Indoor kennels will be a bit smaller but should still offer your dog plenty of room to move around in so they don't have to lay in their own mess or if the water spills they won't get soaked to the bone.

The final size of your kennel depends on how much room you have and how big our
dog is.

Tip #3: What is the kennel made of.

You will find dozens of different materials used in the creation of kennels but the more durable and tough the material the better.

Indoor kennels made from plastic are easily destroyed by some dog breeds. Wire kennels offer more freedom of sight and are stronger than their plastic counterparts
but some dogs can still escape from them.

For indoors wire, chain link, and plastic are options but I would suggest you go with a wire or chain link indoor kennel before you go plastic. However, if space
is an issue the plastic kennels are an option.

For outdoors chain link is the most popular choice. You can get custom kennels made by some companies the prices for those are quite a bit more than a regular
chain link kennel.

Tip #4: Comfort.

If you are going to put up an outside kennel be sure to provide a roof or some cover from the elements.

Putting an igloo dog house with a flap over the front will give your dog a nice place to seek shelter in bad weather and putting a top on the kennel will shield your pooch from the sun.

In the end, there is more to a dog kennel than some fencing and a dog. Put some thought into your set up to ensure your dog has a secure, happy, home to live in.

Choosing the Right Dog Kennel

By Susan Westingham

Choosing the right size and style dog kennel and run is important for the contentment of your dog. Unless your dog is going to be an indoor dog, you will most likely want to build or buy outdoor housing, a kennel, for your dog. Even if your dog is primarily an indoor dog, you may still want to have a kennel outdoors as there are times when you may want your dog outdoors such as when you have visitors who are allergic to dogs, or if you'll be away all day and don't want to leave your dog inside while you are gone.

Primary considerations when deciding on your dog kennel

The two main factors, when deciding on what type of dog kennel you need are:

• The size of your yard
• The size of your dog
The size of your yard: Obviously, if you do not have a large yard you wouldn't want the entire yard taken up by a dog kennel and run. However, if you do have a decent sized yard, and your dog will be primarily an outdoor dog, it is best to at least provide a good sized run for your dog. A dog that is cooped up all day may become very bored. Bored dogs tend to have behavioral problems such as incessant barking, digging, whining or other destructive behavior. I have seen a dog tear apart their wooden dog kennel piece by piece when left tied up too long. (It was a Golden Retriever and they are notorious chewers!)
The size of your dog: It goes without saying that a smaller dog does not need a gigantic run. In fact, oftentimes smaller dogs are indoor dogs and in that case you would only need to build or buy a kennel, there would be no real need for a run.

The Kennel and Run

The kennel is a house for your dog, where they can go in and find shelter from the weather (either the heat and sun, or the rain and cold) and safety and security. It should be large enough for your dog to turn around in, and to lay stretched out in comfortably. It should also be deep enough to provide shelter and safety. Ideally, it should be high enough for your dog to stand up in without him having to lower his head below his shoulders.

The kennel should be weather proof, and that any metal parts are rust proof.

A run is attached to a kennel, and not always weatherproofed, often there is no ceiling to the run. They are usually, made from heavy mesh attached to the kennel. The floor of the run can be cemented although it doesn't have to be. Of course, if your run is not cemented chances are that the ground will get muddy and the grass will die after some time. There's also the possibility of your dog digging out under the mesh perimeter too, if your dog is a good digger. Cement floors are easier to clean, but you may want to cover it with a sealant as normal paint can peel and look ugly after a while.

Whatever you decide for your dog, remember that a happily housed dog is a content dog and content dogs generally behave much better than bored, or uncomfortably housed dogs. Don't be afraid to invest well in your dog's kennel and run, as the investment will pay off.