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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Dog Run/Outside Kennel advice please.

12 replies

Figgyrolls · 13/03/2011 15:05

We have a 9 month old lab, who is currently residing in our utility room, however with the warmer weather coming we are hoping that she will have a lovely outside run for the summertime (coming back in during the winter time at night for those concerned!)

The area we have chosen is very sheltered, has two solid flint walls, is very close to water and electricity (for a heat lamp if we need it in the future), we are thinking concrete floor? but the "kennel" side of things is a stumbling block. This is because she likes to chew voraciously and although we are keen to have stopped this little habit, it isn't being as easy as we thought! (its NOT boredom, its learned behaviour apparently Hmm)so this means anything wood could be fairgame and be an escape issue. Also we want it to be secure due to hearing about some dognapping!

I have heard about galvinised steel mesh panels and wondered if this is the way forward? If anyone has experience with these and if there is anything that I need to include with this. Also the best kennel option ideas if you have any.

tia

OP posts:
mmsmum · 14/03/2011 15:30

Hi, I looked into this once but changed my mind very quickly. I did a quick google search on dog runs and couldn't believe the prices, they seem to start at £3000+

Original poster
Figgyrolls · 14/03/2011 16:01

Envy that is a sicky feeling..........darn dog costs more than I do Grin! However if she continues to chew the furniture at all times of night and day then it might cost an awful lot more than that in the long run! Smile

OP posts:
Crawling · 14/03/2011 16:11

kennel

Original poster
Figgyrolls · 14/03/2011 16:18

ooh, crawling, thanks for that - was thinking about one of those and am assuming insulated is the best idea even if she is going to come inside during the harsher winter, however there will still probably be days where it might be more practical for her to be outside during the day.

OP posts:
Batteryhuman · 14/03/2011 16:23

Won't she get a bit lonely on her own?

Original poster
Figgyrolls · 14/03/2011 17:10

But she is an only dog anyway so is on her own for a large amount of time, if we are here she is with us, if not she can't go to work with us so does spend time on her own anyway. Where she would be she would be able to see loads and be nosey, it wouldn't be her sole accomodation either - she would be inside too but when warm she would go out there to bed when we go to bed.

OP posts:
mmsmum · 14/03/2011 19:23

The ones I looked at were massive (I've got a massive dog) and had outdoor and indoor bits, kid of like animal homes at the zoo I thought, and there were ones that allowed access to the house too. I think you could go mad and spend an absolute fortune on something amazing.

Have you thought about flooring? I know someone who uses horse hay

Original poster
Figgyrolls · 14/03/2011 19:32

Well currently thinking concrete base for run due to ease of cleaning and what some we know have but horse hay is an idea....that wouldn't be bedding - not sure what bedding in the kennel but probably some vet fluffy stuff [stupid not knowing full term emoticon!]

OP posts:
Milliways · 15/03/2011 17:42

We built our own huge run, as dog was chewing the walls, kitchen, etc and left to roam detroyed the garden.

We are lucky though that we have a back door to our garage, so dogs run includes the garage where his bed+rug +radiator were, then he had the corridor strip from garage around the side of house and we fenced off a substantial are of patio for him. This was made with wooden batons & chicken wire - totally Heath Robinson but it works and is light & airy. We have also grown plants up the wire to disguise some of it. Do you have a shed/garage that could be used?

We also had to chicken wire over any wires/pipes etc outside as he ate those too.

He has a huge wooden kennel in another part of the garden, but ignores it totally, and it cost a fortune!

Ours was only used whilst we were at work until he was about 2 or 3 when he could safely be left in or outdoors. He is now 11+ and now we leave him outside if we are away for long as he is getting incontinent, but he has free run of the garden with access to the garage left open.

raindroprhyme · 16/03/2011 21:59

We have this for our husky without the run, he roams the secure garden.
He and the jack russel snuggle in it and have survived all wihter out at night even with our belo -10 temps.
They have a bed

Original poster
Figgyrolls · 16/03/2011 22:14

thanks raindrop will look into those further!

OP posts:
raindroprhyme · 17/03/2011 09:38

Sorry for the typing was on my phone.
The kennel is great and so easy to clean and he hasn't chewed it at all. He was a terrible chewer when he was young.
It is so cosy for them, they come out in the morning and you can feel how warm they are (obviously the husky has a very thick coat). The floor is slightly raised off the ground so great insulation.

I have a friend who uses hay in her labs kennels they are outside at night all year round too.

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