Tips For Choosing A Dog Kennel Whilst You're On Holiday

One clear advantage in choosing a dog kennel to board your pet at whilst you are on holiday is that the staff are

trained to find signs of illness that friends and neighbors are not. Some signs of illness are quite difficult to

spot to the untrained eye. These include:

* lethargy - which can be mistaken for simply sleeping
* blood in the urine - it cannot be seen on the grass, and this can be a symptoms of urinary problems
* blood in the stools - most people don't think to check for this, and it can signify serious intestinal problems

Of course, choosing a facility where staff members are knowledgeable of current dog health developments is

important. Veterinarians are a good source of recommendations, and you can always phone the American Boarding

Kennels Association (719-667-1600) to see if a pet care center is accredited with them.

Here are some tips for choosing a dog kennel:

* Visit the prospective kennel. Is it clean, does it smell? Kennels should not smell, and they should not have any

parasites, dirt, or a build up of feces. They should be disinfected regularly, preferably with professional

disinfectants. This is particularly important as there have been outbreaks of an intestinal disease, called

parvovirus, since the late 1970's. Vaccines are available, but the general dog population doesn't yet have an

immunity to it. Sodium hypochloride bleaches at a concentration of 1:30 are effective in killing the virus, and a

boarding facility should be using this type of cleaner during regular, routine cleaning procedures.

* Some dog kennels have a policy where visitors are not allowed in the area where dogs are kept. This is generally

in the best interests of the pets, as people can bring in diseases and bacteria because they don't follow the same

stringent disinfecting that the staff are trained in. Another reason this practice is done is because some pets

react in a fearful or aggressive way toward strangers. This can lead to a dog injuring themselves or developing

intestinal problems. However, if a boarding facility has a 'no visitor' policy where the animals are kept, they

should at least have a viewing window so dog owners can see where their dogs would be housed.

* Phone a boarding kennel first to see if they can take your dog. They may be overbooked, or they may not be able to

take more specialized cases, such as very young puppies, or dogs on particular medications or feeding schedules. If

a facility can take a dog on a special diet, they may ask you to bring in a supply of the food for the duration of

your dog's visit. These sort of details will generally be covered before the time comes to drop off your dog. It's a

good idea to give the kennel your vet's name and phone number.

For more information on dog kennels, click here. Rebecca Prescott presents this site, for all things canine.

Choosing a Good Dog Kennel

The winter holidays have arrived and you've booked you and the kids a family holiday abroad, but what about the

dog?! The neighbour surprisingly enough is leaving the same weekend you are, and your parents are out of town. You

obviously don't want to cancel the holiday but you can't leave the dog home alone! The next best thing is a home

away from home, a kennel! Kennels are lovely places to take dogs while you are out of town but you have to beware,

they are not all the perfect place for dogs. Some kennels don't have the appropriate circumstances and may make your

dog feel uncomfortable and unhappy which is something you want to avoid. There are several things to look out for

when choosing a kennel.

There are two certain kinds of kennels, there are "suites" and there are "runs". The suites basically explain

themselves. They are plush luxury kennels where the dogs are fed tip top food, perfect fur beds and a kennel the

size of your back yard! Where as runs are more like the homely type of kennel with a long run at the end of the

kennel giving the dog plenty room to exercise but the kennel itself isn't that large. Most kennels should however

have heating, even if they are inside ones!

You should first try to determine the lifestyle your dog has, if she is spoiled rotten then a suite kennel is the

only way to go, and vice versa. The most important thing about choosing a kennel is your inspection. Plan a surprise

visit when you know that they will be open that way you can see what its really like, meet the staff that would be

looking after your dog and have a look around the living quarters. They should all be heated and adequately lighted.

All the kennels should have a comfortable bed, a space for eating and a space for "littering" and still have plenty

space to walk about. And the most important part of choosing a kennel is making sure that it is clean!

Kennels are great for when you're going away but when you come back you may have another problem on your plate.

Kennel cough! This is a serious issue with a lot of kennels and the issue has been spreading. It is simply a cough

but a highly contagious and uncomfortable one for your dog. Kennels must ensure that all the dogs they accept have

had their recent boosters and jags so that there is very little chance of the dogs catching anything that may be

flying around!

You can easily find a good kennel if you look hard enough, one that will ensure your best friend is carefully and

well looked after. All that's left after that is for you to jump on the plane and enjoy your holiday!

The Right House For Your Dog

Dog houses keep you dog warm and sheltered from the elements. You should choose a suitable one for him.

The doghouse should not be too small for your dog and should allow him ample space to stretch in especially when he

sleeps. The space should also allow him to move about freely. It should not also be too large for the dog, since big

spaces have a hard time retaining body heat needed for comfort and warmth especially during cold nights. The rule of

thumb for dog houses is that it should be large enough to allow the dog to stand, lie down comfortably or turn

around with ease.

Insulation for retaining body heat is also an important factor for dog houses. Padding the walls of dog houses work,

but make sure that they adhere properly to the walls for the dog might tear them apart in times of boredom! A

sleeping rug can also be provided, but make sure that it is washable and comfortable at the same time. Dogs

generally do not poop inside the dog houses but some of them do, so before bringing a dog inside the dog house, make

sure that he is properly trained first.

The sleeping quarter of a dog is his own private place in any home. He is protective of it and treats it as his

haven, his safe place and his own private quarter. Although some dogs generally welcome their human friends near

their doghouses, others are simply too defensive of their private quarters so you have to be careful when

approaching them while in it. So try pleasing your dog with his own dog house!

You can find out more about dog care here or you can share your opinions at the world's best homepage.

How to Build a Chain Link Dog Kennel

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.

Not all dogs are inside dogs. Some dog owners choose to let their pets live outside. Living outside without a safe,

weather proofed, spacious living area is not only dangerous it can be down right miserable for your dog.

In this article we'll discuss five ways to build your own outdoor dog kennel without breaking the bank to provide

your dog with an enjoyable, safe, weather proofed, outdoor living area.

We have a lot to cover so let's dive right in...

Tip #1: Semi-Homemade Dog Kennel

Many dog owners have found it more cost effective to build onto a smaller pre-made outdoor dog kennel.

Think of it like an addition to your dog's house.

If you plan it correctly starting out with a smaller kennel then adding on by building on to the kennel can save you

money in the long run.

Tip #2: Use Alternate Materials

As far as I know you don't have to use chain link or steel to build an outdoor dog kennel.

Other alternative materials are PVC, wood, and chicken wire.

Use your creativity and look around professional kennels to get ideas for your own kennel system.

Tip #3: Pre-plan for Space and Growth

Giving your dog enough room to move around and get some exercise during the day is essential to a good outdoor dog

kennel set up.

Pre-plan and pre-define how much space you want to use so you know how much material you will need to effectively

cover that space.

The best set ups allow the dog 20-30 feet of running room and are 10-20 feet in width.

Tip #4: Use Nylon Panels to Create Walls

If you decide to use chain link fencing to build your kennel getting some nylon panels for walls and a roof is an

affordable weather proofing solution.

Nylon panels can be washed, they are breathable, and they provide protection from the sun and block the wind better

than an open chain link design.

Tip #5: Designing a Cost Effective Roof

You will find there as many options for putting a roof on your kennel as there are for what to build a kennel out

of.

Three proven roof solutions that are both effective and affordable are:

a) Plywood

b) Tarp

c) Canvas

In the end your outdoor dog kennel set up should be able to withstand the elements, provide your dog a safe place to

sleep (adding a dog house is a good idea), keep your dog safe from strangers and other animals, and unable to

escape. We don't want our best friend to get hit by a car or some other accident.

For more information about outdoor dog kennels try visiting DogKennelsforSale.biz where you will find helpful

information about outdoor dog kennels and other dog kennel options.

Make Your Own Chain Link Dog Kennel

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."

Tips On Crafting A Workable Dog Fence

By the time you "know" that you need a dog containment fence, you're probably late, and your dog has gone loopy and

walkabout. Local leash laws...fines...anxiety over a wandering and potentially "lost family member" are only some of

the key reasons for moving proactively on a fencing for pets game plan.

Designing Plans For Dog Fence Installation. In any "dog run" home and family project, you have four (4) broad

categories of planning to sort out.

1. Measuring For Optimum Size Dog Run. Size matters. Bigger is better. Dogs, from Chihuahuas to Labs, need physical

activity and movement to keep them mentally and physically in balance and happy. Carefully measure, and then set

aside the largest area that your property can yield. Dog run fencing based on meshed easy-to-install deer fencing

opens up seriously large dimensions...meanwhile, smaller more restricted but potentially sturdier dog kennels offer

a smaller-is-best alternative.

2. Identify Food, Water, Weather Protection Needs. Space, layouts, creating overhead sun and weather protection...a

quiet resting zone...food...water bowls...outdoor pet bedding or blankies should all be carefully assessed before

finalizing your outdoor dog fence.

3. Budgets And Costing. You've rejected the low cost single-point cable-and-leash dog run strung between two fixed

points, and is at best a limited dog run option, but costs under $20. The next quality level up are dog run fencing

designs based on impact-resistant deer fencing like plastic materials, giving tremendous flexibility in terms of

up-and-down your property layout, and cost around $1.40 per linear foot, including fencing material, posts, and

ground anchor hardware. Most robust and secure, yet highest cost are chain-metal dog kennel fencing systems,

offering modular panels and integrated access gates.

4. Burrowing Underneath Or "Break Outs" Risks Minimized. By their nature, pet containment fences mean "keeping the

furry guys inside". However...dogs are smart, and with time-on-their-paws they'll instinctively examine every inch

of your perimeter dog fence or dog kennel, in a natural inquisitive "probe" to see if there's a weak spot, where

they might dig under, jump over, or speed dial a locksmith to assist in an escape. Meaning? Think like a dog, walk

every foot of your pet fencing, looking for loose soft ground and especially for pet fencing based on deer fence

enclosures, making sure that your ground anchors along with rocks or other weighty objects properly seal the fence

from a burrowing pet!

Modular Dog Kennels. Bomb-shelter rugged engineering is what families get when constructing a modular dog kennel.

Dog kennel fencing materials can vary, but the accepted "standard" is some form of anodized aluminum chain-metal

fencing. Strong? Virtually impregnable, from the outside or the inside. Aesthetically, a small "down side" factor

with a dog kennel fence is that it "stands out" on your property, and lacks that eco-friendly subtlety of deer

fencing which is virtually invisible except for the entrance gate.

Dog Run Fencing - Creature Comforts. Keeping pets safe, and out of mischief in terms of wandering or safety of

passerby persons, is only a fraction of the planning necessary for a quality pet containment fence. A dog's

age...breed...health...character and personality...and physical sensitivities to heat, cold and water are key

"planning inputs" when determining the size, location and outfitting of dog run fencing.

* Water. Simple, functional gravity-fed large reservoir watering units are a must for a dog run. Clean water, up to

several gallons or more, goes into the reservoir. After each drink, the unit naturally emits replacement water equal

to what your dog has drunk. Reason? Hydraulic pressure.

* Shade And Rain Protection. Any outdoor pet fence must include a shade and rain protection zone...think

dimensionally at around 6-foot square...tarps minimally or a more permanent hard cover construction gives a rest,

sleep and weather protection safety zone.

Get More Pet Fencing Planning Tips And Dog Fence Installation Advice For Your Furry Family Members