How to Build a Professional Kennel for Dogs
There are many reasons why you would need to build a dog kennel. Maybe you want to start your own grooming business, dog rescue facility, or even house your existing four-legged friends without worrying about your yard, or the dog escaping. No matter what your reason, the following tutorial will make it easy for anyone to build a professional dog kennel.
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Things You'll Need
- Metal fence posts
- Chain link fencing
- Fence ties
- Pole mounts
- Concrete
- Level
- Shovel
- Pliers
- Steel trowel
- Gravel or sand
Instructions
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Building a dog kennel
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1
Map out the area that you'd like to place the kennel. The average size of a professionally built kennel is 4 feet by 12 feet, so plan to use at least this much space.
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2
Dig 6 to 8 inches into the ground where you want the kennel to be and ensure that you have a level surface to pour your concrete flooring. It's best to rope off this area or use spray paint to give yourself a guiding line. Using the shovel, be sure to compact the dirt as best you can. The tighter the dirt surface, the less chances the concrete has to begin cracking later. Check again to ensure that the surface is level.
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3
Mix your concrete (ready or pre-mixed will work fine for this job).
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4
Pour the concrete into the 4-foot by 12-foot hole that you just created. Using your trowel, ensure that concrete is level and free of bubbles and cracks.
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5
Plunge your pole mounts into the four corners of the freshly poured concrete area. You'll place two additional mounts on the front side of the kennel. These two mounts will hold the door, so you'll want to measure the door and ensure that these two mounts are equal distances from the corner mounts, but far enough apart to allow the door to fit in place.
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6
Give the concrete 24 to 48 hours to dry before continuing.
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7
Place the fencing poles inside the mounts. A length of 6 feet is perfect for this application.
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8
Install the chain link fencing from the front-middle-right, around the kennel, and stop at the front-middle-left. Leave the clearing between these poles open, so that you can install a door. Stretch the fencing as tight as you can get it. You can secure the fencing to the poles using fence ties and pliers or you can buy pre-made brackets at your local hardware store. If you use fence ties, every six inches is the optimal distance between ties.
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9
Install the door. You can buy pre-made chain link fence doors at any hardware store.
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10
Add a dog house or igloo as shelter for your pooch. Don't forget the food and water bowls.
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11
Surround the shelter with gravel or sand, which will dry quicker than dirt after hosing off the floor of the kennel.
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1
Tips & Warnings
You can make a roof for your kennel with a bit of canvas and some rope.
Give the concrete a full seven days to cure before putting your dog inside the kennel. Urine can leak into the unsettled concrete, causing bubbles or cracks once it sets.
