Buying And Building A Dog Kennel
Having a kennel in your home for your pet dog is just like giving a kid his or her own room. It gives the dog a private place to sleep and play with its toys without irritating the family. Moreover, it is a symbol of the good care provided to the dog. There are two options for getting a dog kennel for your canine pet either buy a commercial dog kennel or build one yourself.
Commercial Dog Kennels
Commercial dog kennels are good for people who do not find enough time or lack the skills required for making a dog kennel. Thus they come ready to use and only need bit of maintenance. Commercial dog kennels, however, have a few disadvantages. First, they require you to pay more than you need to spend if making the dog kennel yourself at home. Secondly, a commercial kennel comes with a predetermined size and other features that may not fit the specific needs of your dog. Adjusting these would then require additional costs. For many dog owners, especially for those who travel more often or frequently have to change houses, commercially available portable dog kennels are a good option. These are smaller and relatively inexpensive kennels that are collapsible and hence easy to carry along. However, these kennels are not a good choice for very strong or aggressive dogs.
Homemade Dog Kennels
If you have the time and basic building skills or if you want to cut some of the cost of a commercial kennel, you may choose to build a kennel for your dog yourself. Building a dog kennel at home is also an enjoyable activity for many people, including kids. While building your own dog kennel, it is important to first consider the zoning and building codes of your locality so to avoid inadvertently transgressing any rules regarding the size of the kennel on your property. Next, carefully select the construction material for the kennel. Steel wires for flooring have fewer chances of hosting infectious microbes or getting splintered (as do wood and plastic) and concrete is known for it strength and facile cleaning, though it may develop cracks and host insects and parasites. Heavy duty fencing material provides extra security against possible threats to the dog in case of any accidents and also prevents the dog from digging all around the place. It is recommended to build the dog kennel on high ground so as to minimize the damage resulting from rain and snow. Finally, remember to provide a little shaded area in the open in front of the kennel. This can be accomplished using a lightweight material.
