Choosing a kennel
Dog breeds all differ, just as people differ. Housing your dog depends on many factors, such as your lifestyle, your dog breed and the amount of room you have to spare.
For those who dont know me, my name is Sue Walton, and I am a professionaly accredited Dog trainer and coach. This article shares with you some of my top dog housing tips, but for my best secrets and heaps more info, you need to visit my site on dog training tips, which has a huge section on choosing and siting a great kennel/dog house.
We should start by assessing what breed you have. Housing your dog depends on its requirements to be warm safe and out of the weather.
Toy breeds, by virtue of their small size, make perfect house dogs. Many owners of pet breeds such as terriers, shitzu or maltese are happy all the time provided they are trained well!
These small breeds respond well to the house environment, providing they know their place in the home! You’ll find a matt or a dog bed around the size of a cat bed will do for these small breeds.
Keeping them in shed or laundry may be ideal provided that your pet dog feels safe and it feels like it has a little area of its own. Dogs after all, are very territorial by habit.
As for bigger dogs, such as medum sized pointers, boxers and terriers, you will learn that keeping them inside becomes tedious or irritating. Not only for you as owner, but for your dog too.
They relish the space that an outside environment provides them.
Also, you will have to consider the space and room that you can offer for housing your dog.
If your garage is well ventilated, cosy and there is not to much clutter, it might be a great area for your dog to live, if however its full of clutter and your dog has to live in a small area where it cannot make its own space, it will quickly become fustrated.
For those who live in small residential apartments or similar, you have to be very aware of how your dog will react with neighbours or strangers. Many dogs dont take to kindly to being housed where people can annoy them and interrupt them.
Youve also got to consider what sort of breed requires what sort of housing to live in.
Your breeder will have sussed you out before selling a dog, to see if your lifestyle suits that breed, however people often come across dogs in other circumstances. Always do lots of reading and learning into what your breed needs to live. A lazy bulldog will surely be happy with a corner of the yard and little space, but you try and keep a livly species like a retreiver in a small back yard, and you will drive the poor dog crazy. Working breeds are active and require room to run and spacious kennels.
If your are in this circumstance, and have a yard space for your dog to be housed and run around in, please please please ensure that the fence you put up, is in good condition and is secure. Consider your dog must not get out, but also consider if anything else can get in. Cats, other dogs & children are known for getting into places where they shouldnt be, and this can lead to trouble!
Housing a dog also has situational requirements. Think about your climate, and where your kennel will be. will the dog be cold? Windy? Directly sunny? Consider all these reasons when pacing a dog house in your chosen space. Insulation on the kennels walls and floor might be needed in snow prone or frosty areas.
Obviously, in this situation a saint bernard will be happier than a greyhound, so exercise common thought about the breed your dealing with. Pay attention to areas that get very hot, as this can affect the dog quickly.
Black colour on that kennel might suit your house, but will it harm your dog….? As far as getting a kennel goes, now days there are greatitems that suit many lifestyles and designs. Moulded plastic ones are popular but be warned if your dog is a chewer!
Avoid GRP kennels like the plague, as the glass can lead to harm and discomfort for your pet. Wood ones are hard wearing and look great also. If your budget allows, go for a wood kennel!
My best dog housing tips, and some great examples of kennels and enclosure designs can be found at my dog resource page on housing your dog. Check it out, and the rest of my site www.dog-hobbyist.com
