By Scott Byers
You come home from work one day to find your wife sitting on the couch with two little puppies that have big, brown sad eyes and your wife saying "but honey, they looked so lonely." You can't tell her she can't have them, but you don't want them in the house, under your feet constantly and chewing on your poker table. What do you do? You build a chain link dog kennel in the back yard so everyone will be happy.
Building a chain link dog kennel is not very hard. The first thing you want to do is to decide how big you want the kennel to be. Will the dogs be small in size, or will they grow into a small version of a Mac truck? Are they small enough they won't jump over a four foot fence, or will they grow to the size that a four foot fence would be like stepping over a stick?
You next need to decide what you want to build your chain link dog kennel out of. Chain link fencing no longer comes in one size fits all. Do you want small holes in the wire, or will large ones be okay? Do you want 100 feet of chain link fencing or do you want 50 feet? Does it need to be 4 feet high or do you need something taller like 6 feet or 10 feet? Choose your fencing wisely so that you don't find yourself rebuilding your chain link dog kennel six months down the road.
There are several different kinds of posts that you can use for your chain link dog kennel. Most people prefer to use landscape timbers because they are sturdier than some boards and don't necessarily have to be concreted in like the metal poles. If you need posts that are shorter than the standard length of landscape timbers, simply ask the store to cut them down to size, or measure them and cut them down when you get home.
If you have the time to build your own chain link dog kennel, it can be cheaper than hiring someone to do it or buying one already made. Just imagine the rewards you may get when you tell your wife "okay, honey, we can keep them; they do look kind of lonely."
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Make Your Own Chain Link Dog Kennel
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Should You Buy a Dog Kennel or Build One Yourself?
By Scott Byers
When a dog owner decides that his pet needs a dog kennel, he is often faced with many options. One choice he must make is whether to buy a commercially available dog kennel, or build his own from scratch.
The first thing to consider when deciding is whether or not you even have the skills required n order to build a dog kennel. Are you a handyman? Do you have experience with carpentry or metal work? If you do, then building a kennel might be quite simple for you. If you have little or no experience in these areas you may want to consider either purchasing a kennel, or even having someone else build it for you.
Another factor to consider is the cost. You will often pay less money if you buy the materials and build the dog kennel yourself, but remember that money won't be the only thing you will spend. A potential cost that any people fail to recognize is time. If you are a busy person with a full schedule, setting aside time to build a dog kennel may not be the wisest decision.
A common reason for choosing to build a dog kennel rather than purchase is that a homemade kennel can be made any size, and in any shape. If you have a small yard or the free space in your yard is not simply square or rectangular, you can build the kennel in a shape that best makes use of the available area.
If you do choose to build your own dog kennel, treat the task seriously and it will provide you and your pet safety and peace of mind for many years to come.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Is an Outdoor Dog Kennel Right for You?
By Scott Byers
Are you a pet owner who feels that your dog shouldn't be cooped up in the house all day while you're at work or out for the evening? If so, I'm sure you're also worried for your pet's safety and well being. You don't want him running away, or causing trouble around your neighborhood. So what do you do? If you're stuck with this problem, an outdoor dog kennel may just be perfect for you.
While are many factors to consider when looking to purchase an outdoor dog kennel, there is sure to be one that is perfect for your pet. Kennels are available in all shapes and sizes, and can be portable or permanent. There are advantages and disadvantages of each, of course.
Portable dog kennels can be disassembled, and taken with you if you move. This is a good feature if you do not own your home, but rather lease it. The portable variety of dog kennel is, sadly, often smaller than a permanent one. Your pet will have less space to run around, so make sure to take that into consideration.
Permanent outdoor dog kennels are often bigger and sturdier, and may be the better choice if you own your home and plan to stay there a while. You can also opt to build an outdoor kennel if you wish to.
When building your own kennel, you should first decide how big you want it to be. Once that is decided, the kennel itself can be as simple as some pieces of timber with fencing around them. If you are not experienced with carpentry and/or landscaping, it may be best to have someone else build the kennel for you.
Whether you decide to go with a portable or permanent outdoor dog kennel, it should prove to be a good investment for both you and your dog for many years to come. You may be uncomfortable with he price at first, but you can't put a price on the safety of your pet
Friday, May 1, 2009
Dog Kennel Fencing - Keeping Pesky Pets Out of Trouble
By Scott Byers
Dog kennel fencing can be used for anything from building a full blown pen or kennel, to simply blocking out a particular area of the yard in order to keep the dog out. There's no use confining your pet to a small area if it's not necessary. If he only seems to enjoy digging up your favorite rose bushes but is fine everywhere else, then consider only preventing him from entering this area of the yard.
Most hardware stores and pet stores will carry some form of dog kennel fence that will suit your needs. You can also look online and you will find many stores offering kennel fencing at very affordable prices. When shopping online it is much easier to search for the best prices than it would be to travel from store to store, so this may be a good option if price is a concern to you.
Fencing materials vary from standard chain link aluminum, to impact resistant plastic designs similar to deer fencing. When choosing the proper material, take into consideration the strength and intelligence of your dog. Will he be able to chew through cheaper materials, or will he figure out how to climb the fence and escape?
A dog kennel fence can go a long way in keeping your dog safe, and giving you peace of mind in knowing that your pet won't be causing trouble around the neighborhood while you're gone for the day.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Building a Dog Kennel - Instructions and Tips
By Scott Byers
t's obvious if you have a dog, you probably care a great deal about them. You want them to have the best of everything, including shelter. When considering whether or not you even want to take on the ask of building your own dog kennel, you have to ask yourself if you possess the skills and knowledge to do so. Although building your own dog kennel isn't a job for a rocket scientist, it does still involve some handy work.
Now that you have decided to take on the task, you must remember a few things. It's good to build a large-sized kennel, even if your dog isn't very big, giving it lots of space to move around and be comfortable in. One thing to remember when building your kennel is that pressure-treated timber is terrible to use on any parts your dog might chew. It contains preservatives that may be poisonous or unhealthy for your dog's body.
Your dog kennel must be designed in accordance with the convenience and comfort of you and your pets at heart. Considering these things will be crucial in dividing what materials and designs to use when building your dog kennel. Also keeping the cleaning aspect of a dog kennel in mind, it will better prepare you for designing one that will make it easier for you when it comes to sanitation. It's important to make decisions that will make things easier for you and also safer for your pet.
Drainage is another important thing to take into consideration. You might want to build your kennel at an angle so it slopes, making for easier drainage. This is one of the many benefits of creating your own kennel.
The dog kennel is placed on a concrete slab. You will place posts in concrete to support the rails. The posts and rails create a frame that keeps up the chain link. Dig at least six inch holes in the ground to place the support poles that will connect it all together.