Dog Kennel Fencing - Keeping Pesky Pets Out of Trouble

Have you ever come home from work only to discover that your dog has scattered garbage all over the yard, or ravaged

your newly planted garden? If his ever happens to you, you may want to think about putting up a dog kennel fence.

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.

Basic Instructions on How to Build a Dog Kennel

Rather than buying a commercially available dog kennel, many pet owners opt to instead build their own. This would

allow the owner to build the kennel to fit his dog's specific needs. Factors such as the size and breed of the dog

should all be considered whether one is planning to buy a premade kennel or build one from scratch.

A dog kennel should be designed in such a way that it allows for maximum comfort and convenience for both you and

your pet. It should be built in such a way that you can see your dog at all times, and that he can see things such

as when you pull in and our of your driveway. Be careful, however, about putting the kennel in a location that would

cause your dog to bark at someone walking down the sidewalk or driving by. Your dog probably would not want to be

out in the rain for too long, so an ideal kennel has both an outdoor area as well as an indoor area for those rainy

days.

You must also decide what materials to use when building your dog kennel. Steel is usually considered to be a better

alternative to wood and plastic both because it's easier to clean, and because it won't splinter and cause harm to

your pet. Wood kennels can harvest mold or begin to rot if not properly maintained, so consider all of these factors

when choosing the material you will work with.

Sanitation is an important factors to consider when building a dog kennel. It should be built in a way that allows

you to clean it easily, without much inconvenience to either you or your pet. Consider building a slight slope into

the kennel to allow for better drainage, so you can simply hose away dirt and debris without having to mop up any

excess water that may have collected. Frequent disinfection will keep odor to a minimum, in addition to keeping your

dog healthier.

Try to put good craftsmanship into your dog kennel, so that it will serve you and your pet for many years to come. A

good kennel should be sturdy and able to withstand the elements, while at the same time keeping your dog safe and

comfortable with a place to sleep. If your dog is important to you, then the decision to invest in a good dog kennel

should be an easy one

Dog Kennels

One of the best ways to keep your pet safe and secure is with a dog kennel. With a kennel, you do not have to secure

your dog with chains or keep him locked inside the house. Let your pet enjoy the outdoors in a confined space big

enough for him to move about. This way, you keep him from running free, potentially endangering himself or others.

A kennel also allows your dog to exercise a little. Unlike in a cage where all he can do is sit, your dog can walk

or even run about in a kennel. This space will condition and relax him. It also lets him familiarize himself with

his surroundings. So the next time you take him out for a walk, he should not be too excited by moving objects,

which may spur him to run after them.

Kinds of Kennels

Kennels are box-like shelters made of metal screens and posts. Some are made of bronze, aluminum or steel wires.

They are strong enough to withstand the pressure dogs may exert on them and stable enough so they will not topple

over.

They are semi-permanent fixtures that you can put in your yard. Pet shops usually carry standard-sized kennels, but

you can also have one custom-made for your pet. While a custom-made one may cost you a little more, you can have a

unit more suitable to your dog's size and needs/

Kennels come in single, double, triple or quad varieties. Dog breeders opt to have several kennels made to

accommodate their stock. Although you may find multi-level units or kennels stacked on top of another, always choose

the one-level kind. It will be easier to clean and will prove more sanitary and hygienic for your dog.

In choosing the right kennel, consider the safety and the convenience features of the unit. There must be no exposed

wires that may injure your dog. It must be large enough for him to be able to walk about or even stand on its hind

legs.

Sizing Up Your Dog - Does Your Pet Need a Large Outdoor Dog Kennel?

Providing adequate free space for your dog to roam around in is essential if you want him to be happy and healthy.

Occasionally pet owners will buy a kennel that is just too small for their dog, or perhaps they purchase it when the

dog was a puppy and it has since outgrown the kennel. If this is the case then you may need to upgrade to a large

outdoor dog kennel.

What is considered large?

An outdoor kennel could definitely be considered large if it has more than 100 square feet in total area. Some

kennels even exceed 200 square feet, but this amount of space is only required for the largest breeds of dogs such

as Great Danes or Mastiffs. Larger sized kennels will typically have more vertical space as well, going up to about

6' in height. Your dog should have plenty of room to move about if you put him in a kennel as large as the ones

mentioned.

What size dog generally needs a large outdoor kennel?

Surely no dog will complain to you about having TOO much space, however not all dogs require large kennels.

Generally breeds of dogs that weigh 100 pounds or more when fully grown will benefit the most from the extra room.

Such breeds include Great Danes, Saint Bernards, Akitas, Mastiffs, and Wolfhounds. These are among the largest

breeds of dog, so they will naturally have special needs such as larger kennels.

How much will a large outdoor dog kennel cost?

Large outdoor kennels will start at about $200 for a basic one. A sturdier premium model, however, can cost upwards

of $900 or more. Don't worry too much though, because this type of extra strong kennel is generally only needed if

your dog is very aggressive and will often try to escape. A docile pooch should be fine with a cheaper standard

model.

Whether you are considering purchasing a kennel for the first time, or your dog has simply outgrown his current one,

you need to be sure that your pet has enough space to move around in. If you love your dog and want him to be happy,

then don't be afraid to spend a little extra money on a larger outdoor dog kennel. I'm sure your dog will appreciate

it!

Building A Dog Kennel

Should I get into Dog Kennel Building?

Anyone who owns a dog as a pet will tell you that maintaining one can make a considerable dent in your wallet. The

expenses of keeping a dog includes dog food costs and vet bills. Some pet owners find these costs over whelming and

as a direct result many dogs end up in animal shelters. Genuine dog lovers often refrain from getting a dog for

themselves, simply because the costs of owning one are too high.

However, there are several ways of cutting down on unnecessary costs and to keep your pet happy and healthy at the

same time. For example, if you want a kennel for your dog, buying one can turn out to be an expensive affair.

Building your own dog kennel cuts this cost half.

Many dog owners share their living space 24x7 with their pets. This can result in a lot of hassles like cleaning up

after your dog leaves muddy footprints on your floor or spending precious time vacuuming fur off carpets, sofas and

other furniture. For those who like to give their pets their own cozy home, a doghouse or a kennel is the way to go.

Now the best part about dog kennels, especially for do-it-yourselfers, is that you can build one your self.

Although, you will still need to bear the costs of building supplies as well as give your own labor input, the

biggest advantages here are that costs are a mere fraction of those incurred when purchasing a ready made dog house

and that you can customize the kennel to suit your puppy's needs. Most of the kennels available on the market are of

a fairly standard size and if you have a particularly large or small dog, this may pose a problem. Building a dog

kennel means you will have to make one large enough so that your pet can comfortably turn around, but at the same

time not too large, since it helps retain your dogs body heat and allows self-insulation to a degree.

Dog kennel building is a fairly easy task if you have even the tiniest bit of experience in carpentry. When building

a custom doghouse, make sure the kennel is raised a few inches off the ground to prevent seepage of moisture into

the wood. Also, when shopping for plywood, make sure to purchase exterior grade plywood instead of pressure treated

plywood. At the same time, ensure that your dog is not in the habit of chewing wood because the chemicals used to

treat exterior grade plywood may be harmful to your pet.

When building dog kennels, keep these three factors in mind. That is, the size of the doghouse, the right type of

wood and the height at which the kennel is raised from the ground. Once the basics are in place, you can do what you

want in terms of design and building. You may even design the kennel according to your pet's personality, giving it

the ultimate designer home.

Dog Kennel and Dog Care

Dogs are excellent at escaping. Some breeds are better at it than others but on the whole when a dog wants out they

usually achieve their objective.

Keep your dog at home while at the time providing a safe barrier to keep them in is easier than you might think.

One method is to use dog kennel fence to keep your fiesty fido safely at home. Let's take a look at three ways you

can use dog kennel fence to achieve your objective.

1. Build a pen. If you have a small to medium dog you can use dog kennel fence to build a play pen of sorts for your

dog.

Building an exercise or play pen is cost effective and fairly simple.

Determine how big of an area you want to use and then consider your dogs size and abilities before investing.

This way you save yourself from having to modify or go back and fix the pen when your dog gets out.

Give them enough room to exercise in but make the pen high enough and strong enough so they can't push over the

walls or jump out.

2. Build a full blown outdoor kennel.

With some wood and dog kennel fence you might want to choose to build a full blown outdoor dog kennel for your pal.

Once again you need to determine the space, your dogs size and abilities, and your budget before getting started.

Outdoor dog kennels give your dog plenty of room to move around in and you peace of mind knowing they aren't going

to running the streets or worse, end up dead, because they escaped from the yard.

3. Keeping your dog out of specific areas.

Some folks have gardens they love while others love that maple tree and still others love their porch area.

Dog kennel fence can be used to keep your dog out of these areas as well as keeping your dog in the yard.

You can wrap it around the porch or that maple tree that you admire to keep your dog from soiling the area around

them or tearing up things that you put on your porch.

Tips On Vacationing With Your Dog

People who have pets often face the problem of what to do with their pet when leaving for a vacation. Dog kennels or

pet sitters are helpful if you are going out for a week or more, but if you are taking a short trip, you might

consider taking your dog with you. If you are prepared, a vacation together can be a lot of fun.

Before you leave, it is always advisable to take your to the vet and get him examined. If this is the first time you

are going out with your dog, the vet can give you some tips that will avoid problems and make your trip smooth.

Discuss your dog's recurrent ailments and get medicine for some common infections your dog might catch during the

vacation. Applying a flea and tick preventive can go a long way to save your dog from catching any infection on the

trip.

One of the things that you should do first is to call the hotel, to see if they allow pets on their premises. Some

places have may have restrictions, or they may not allow pets at all.

Pack your dog's daily food and make sure he eats what you normally feed him. You don't want a dog with an upset

stomach when you are vacationing. Vacation time usually means that your dog has greater physical activity than his

usual indoor routine. Offer him food and water at regular intervals.

New places tend to confuse dogs, and their inherent exploring nature may drag them away to unknown places. Keep your

dog on a leash at all times and make him walk with you.

Being outdoors means you have flexibility to play with your dog in open places. Bring dog toys with you. Form a

close circle when you play, so that the dog does not wander off too far. If you are going on a camping or a hiking

trip, check your dog's paws after your walks. Small shards of glass, sticks, or metal can cause injury to your dog.

Another important tip is to travel with your dog's veterinary records. Proof of identification is must, just in case

your dog runs off. With the addition of a microchip as an identification tool, it has become much more easier to

locate your dog if he is lost.

Being prepared will help you and your dog have an enjoyable time. And isn't that what vacations should be about?