How to Build a Good Dog Kennel
Dogs enjoy spending time outdoors, and owners have a responsibility to provide a safe way for them to do so. If your yard is not securely fenced and you can't provide enough supervised outdoor activities for your dog, you may want to build an enclosure where your dog can get fresh air and exercise by itself, without getting lost or hurt. Taking the time to consider where to put it, how big it should be and what your dog needs to be comfortable and content there will increase the likelihood your dog will enjoy its kennel area.
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Things You'll Need
- Measuring tape
- Shovel
- Fill dirt
- Fencing material
- Sun cover
- Doghouse
- Food and Water Bowls
Instructions
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Determine how big to make your dog kennel by considering your dog's size, personality and energy level, and the amount of time it will spend in the kennel. Choose a site for the kennel, keeping weather, convenience and the ease of building there in mind.
Measure and mark the length and width of the area you want to enclose; prepare the site by filling any low spots and moving plants.
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Plan how you will care for your dog and clean the kennel before you build it. Provide a secure, constant water supply and a feeding station, secure the lower edge of the fence if your dog digs and make sure your dog has some sort of stimulation---toys or something to watch---while kenneled.
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Select the type and height of fencing you will use to enclose the dog kennel. Decide where and how you and your dog will enter the kennel, and include the gate(s) and hardware on your materials list. Consider safety and maintenance issues when choosing the fencing material. Set the fencing supports properly to make the fence sturdy, stretch the fencing material tight and attach it securely to the support structure.
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Provide an area of shade by installing a sun cover or other material and supply some form of shelter from inclement weather. If you put a doghouse in the kennel enclosure, place it so the opening does not face the direction from which bad weather usually arrives, if possible. Make sure the shelter is properly built---waterproof, windproof, ventilated yet warm---to be comfortable for your dog to use.
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Tips & Warnings
Standard fence height for kennels is four to six feet. You might consider covering the enclosure completely if your dog can jump a six-foot fence or there are deer in the area.
Make the kennel long enough for your dog to get some exercise and to allow it to eliminate away from its food and sleeping areas.
Clean the enclosure, the doghouse and the water and feeding equipment regularly.
Keeping your dog in a kennel full-time, without human interaction will prevent your dog from bonding properly, which could lead to anti-social behaviors.
Dogs can release heat only through their tongues and the bottom of their paws; heatstroke can develop rapidly and it can be fatal.
Don't place the doghouse near the fence, especially if the kennel is not covered in that area. The dog might climb atop the doghouse and jump out of the enclosure.
References
- Photo Credit dog image by Michael Korecki from Fotolia.com
