Considerations for an Outdoor Dog Kennel
By William Clunie
For various reasons some folks prefer to keep their pet dog outdoors, in a kennel of some sort, as opposed to having them live in the home with humans. Done properly, housing a dog outdoors can be just as comfortable for the animal as keeping him or her indoors. Certain points must be taken into consideration to afford your dog the most comfortable outdoor-living experience.
Many folks will wrongly assume that canines have lived in the outdoors, on their own, without any help from man, for eons – and now, why do dogs need any kind of extra consideration from us humans. Well, a domestic dog probably could survive, on its own, for a long time in the wilderness. But we’re not talking about surviving here; we are talking about our responsibility to keep out pet as comfortable as possible, especially when housing them in the outdoors.
When entertaining these thoughts, think of yourself as the animal out in the kennel – what would help to make you more content in your outdoor environment? Surely you could get by with just food, water, and a roof over your head. Being an outdoors person myself, I think sometimes I wouldn’t mind a little quiet time just hanging outside, lying around in the kennel and thinking about anything I felt like thinking about. At the same time, I could think of numerous things that certainly would make the outdoor situation much more enjoyable.
Housing
One of the most basic considerations, the doghouse, is often overlooked. Dogs really do prefer the perfect house. That said, they can get by in a drafty, amateur construction project – but, once again, we’re talking about doing the best thing for your pet. K&H Manufacturing, Igloo-style doghouse takes the cake here . . . their dog shelter securely houses a dog, AND offers a heated pad for year-round comfort (something that all dogs should have in the cold winter months).
My favorite way of situating an outdoor doghouse factors in all types of weather; rain, snow, heat, and wind.
I place the doghouse inside of a fenced in area, giving the dog room to get out of the house and romp a bit. Dogs like to dig, so put the fence bottom into the ground with a little cement to discourage this habit.
Face the door of the doghouse itself away from prevailing winds, which means have the opening facing somewhere towards the east. Winter storms usually come from the northwest, and summer rains usually come from the south.
Next, make sure that this fenced area has a roof over head to protect from rain and snow. It is no fun trying to clean a kennel area covered with three feet of snow, or layered with inches of sloppy mud.
This brings us to the floor of the kennel. Gravel or crushed rock is the way to go. Messy dog stool and urine can be hose off easily through the small stones if set up with an initial drainage plan in mind.
Lime or an industrial treatment can be sprinkled onto the gravel floor to break down the wastes faster, helping rid the kennel of unwanted odors and insects. Farnham’s Fly Off, also assist with the insect problems associated with dog waste. I would also add here that Frontline Flea and Tick products also help keep the outdoor dog bug-free when the insect season is at its worse.
Food
Good nutrition is always a must, but even more so when housing a dog outdoors. Cold weather, rain, excessive heat, and even wind, puts an extra strain on a dog that stays outdoors 24/7. Myriad calories are burned from the extreme temperatures alone, not even taking into consideration calories lost to conditioning exercises, or the efforts of a working dog.
Top-quality food is a must for the outdoor dog. Several companies offer nutritious food for outdoor dogs, and Artemis Fresh Mix is one of THE best. Ask your veterinarian what to look for then, check the ingredients to find the best product for your dog.
Dogs, especially puppies, like to chew – anyone that’s been around dogs for very long knows this. A lone dog in a kennel can get bored and will chew anything, so why not give them something to chew on that is good for them.
Beef bones and many other chewy products listed on this site offer healthy benefits for all dogs. Chewing relieves boredom and cleans teeth. A daily chew treat promotes good dental health. The Booda Bone Rope Toy is especially helpful in cleaning the teeth and providing an exercising chew.
Make it Fun
Outdoor dogs should be taught to enjoy their outdoor home. Dogs that I’ve housed outdoors often show a definite preference for being outdoors, happily running out of our home to return to their comfy kennel.
Kenneled dogs should always have a run of some sort – a place to get out and stretch their legs on a daily basis. The Dog Trolley offered here at PetAdoreStore.com helps fill this need. A daily walk isn’t always possible, but connecting the dog to this cable and pulley system allows owners an easy way to let their dog out of the kennel each day.
Whenever I’m working out in the yard, my little beagle Molly enjoys a run on her cable. Each day when I clean her kennel area and feed her, she gets put out on the cable run. She is out on the run for a long-enough period of time that when I go to put her back in the kennel, she anxiously tugs at her lead. Her kennel has never been a place she gets sent to, accompanied by a scolding voice. I adorn her with affection, and fill my voice with pleasant tones. I give her a chewy treat and praise her, knowing that she’s content in her outdoor kennel. I am also content, knowing that I am doing the best I can to provide her with the most comfortable kennel space possible.
By William Clunie
P.O. Box 124
Dixfield, ME 04224
July 2008
Bringing a New Dog Home by: Kate Kastelein
Congratulations! You have decided to welcome a dog into your home. Certainly you have done tons of research and picked a breed that will compliment your family and your lifestyle. Now that you have accomplished the first step in selecting the dog that's right for you what next? According to the ASPCA the average yearly costs associated with owning a dog including food, veterinary care, toys and license are as follows: small dog—is $420. Make that $620 for a medium dog and $780 for a large breed. At Pet Adore Store we have everything you need to make your dog feel at home and more!
Food: Your dog is going to need to eat, and along with food undoubtedly you are also going to need treats for training, and just for fun! Please view our wide selection of quality treats.
Exercise: Even if you have a large yard for your new dog to run and play, he's going to need to be safe. Often this entails fencing your yard, or at the very least installing tie-outs. Invisible fencing is a great way to keep your dog in your yard, without compromising the look of your grounds with unsightly metal or wooden fencing. It's also important to have a leash for walks around town, or for any time your dog may be venturing off your property. Surely you will want your new friend to join you in trips to the park, beach, and family outings. You will also need to clean up after your dog in a convenient and sanitary way. Making sure they're properly restrained is not only the safest bet for your new pet, but in many places it's the law
Walks are of course a great way to keep your pet from getting pudgy, but also consider our wide variety of toys for all-day fun as a great way to mix up your routine, playing fetch with your dog can also be a great way to facilitate bonding.
Grooming: It's not just show dogs that need frequent grooming, all dogs need to be bathed, brushed, and checked frequently for flea and tick infestations .Make grooming fun for both you and your dog by having the right tools. We offer a number of brushes & combs, shampoos & conditioners, as well as flea and tick treatment and prevention items that will save you time, and costly trips to the groomer.
Sleeping Areas: Let sleeping dogs lie, as the old saying goes, and with a warm safe place to sleep, your dog will be happy to lie down in his special place every evening. Dogs like to have a special place that is just "theirs" for sleeping, relaxing, and of course chewing their bones. It should be warm, comforting and in a relatively quiet place. Many dog owners chose to keep a training crate available for their dog as sort of an indoor dog house. Others prefer a dog bed, in either case the bedding needs to be cleaned often.
These are just a few basic items you and your pet will need to get off to a good start. Please check back often for future articles on pet care!
