|
Question on building a Kennel
#22129 - 09/10/2003 01:12 PM |
Webboard User
Reg: 07-31-2003
Posts: 13
Loc:
 Offline |
|
I just recently purchased a home and have a 6month old black lab. The home has a big back yard but it isn't fenced. We are thinking of either building a kennell, or putting a fence around the back yard. I'm having a hard time deciding what to do. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> I work all day and the dog with be home alone. Will the dog have a better life running around in the backyard all day, or is it better to build a fairly large kennel for him to be in all day?
Any advice would be appreciated.
|
 Top
|
|
Re: Question on building a Kennel
[Re: Josh Love ]
#22130 - 09/10/2003 01:49 PM |
Webboard User
Reg: 07-12-2001
Posts: 215
Loc: Boulder Creek, CA
| Offline |
|
I feel much safer having my dog in a kennel, since it eliminates the chance of someone leaving a gate open. (And many service workers, like meter readers, will not enter a yard with a loose dog.) This goes double if you have an entire male: it's expensive to fence a yard with something high enough and substantial enough to stop him from going after a bitch in season.
And my observation is that a dog won't spend his time running around the yard. He'll just curl up somewhere and sleep. That's what my GSD does, and he's a high-drive Schutzhund dog.
Finally, with a kennel, you won't get the various kinds of "yard defense" that can be so annoying, like fence-running, jag-barking, and the like.
Dave Trowbridge
Boulder Creek, CA |
|
Top
|
|
Re: Question on building a Kennel
[Re: Josh Love ]
#22131 - 09/10/2003 02:19 PM |
Webboard User
Reg: 03-29-2002
Posts: 926
Loc:
| Offline |
|
I agree with Dave, a kennel is the best place to leave a dog unattended. However, once you get home, if you don't fence the yard, is the dog going to have any time OUT of the kennel? You can't just turn him loose, and he shouldn't be relegated to the kennel 24 hrs a day. If money is no object (haha, right?), then do both - build the kennel, but fence the yard so he can run when you're home with him.
|
|
Top
|
|
Re: Question on building a Kennel
[Re: Josh Love ]
#22132 - 09/10/2003 04:02 PM |
Webboard User
Reg: 07-31-2003
Posts: 13
Loc:
| Offline |
|
Thank you for the advice, I do worry about him being in a Kennel all day and if I'm not able to run home right after work to let him out. I thought by giving him the whole yard, then I wouldn't stress about him being in the Kennel all the time?
Sounds like a little of both Kennel and Yard is the best answere. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
|
|
Top
|
|
Re: Question on building a Kennel
[Re: Josh Love ]
#22133 - 09/10/2003 04:10 PM |
Webboard User
Reg: 03-29-2002
Posts: 926
Loc:
| Offline |
|
If you leave him in the yard all day alone, he may decide to take the siding off your house or gnaw thru your telephone line, just out of boredom. Dogs really do sleep 90% of the time if you leave them alone, so a kennel is better for everybody. But he needs free time too to play.
|
|
Top
|
|
Re: Question on building a Kennel
[Re: Josh Love ]
#22134 - 09/10/2003 04:27 PM |
Webboard User
Reg: 07-31-2003
Posts: 13
Loc:
| Offline |
|
Lee what advice can you give me for the size of a Kennel to build? We are thinking about building a Kennel under a deck that we have, and have it extend a little bit into the yard.
Under the deck is little rocks and then he would have the grass to lay on. The Kennel would be covered by the deck and open on the grass. Would you suggest I put in concrete or would the little rocks and grass be sufficent for him to lay on all day?
|
|
Top
|
|
Re: Question on building a Kennel
[Re: Josh Love ]
#22135 - 09/10/2003 04:49 PM |
Webboard User
Reg: 03-29-2002
Posts: 926
Loc:
| Offline |
|
The rocks and grass would be acceptable....until the first heavy rain. Then it would turn to a quagmire. If you don't want to pour a concrete pad, you could build a wooden deck out of the same pressure treated 5/4 boards as your own deck and set it on 2x8 framing and that would keep him out of the mud. That's what I have and I like it. My runs are 7 1/2' W x 16' L and connect to a shed with indoor 4 x 4 boxes.
|
|
Top
|
|
Re: Question on building a Kennel
[Re: Josh Love ]
#22136 - 09/10/2003 05:11 PM |
Webboard User
Reg: 07-31-2003
Posts: 13
Loc:
| Offline |
|
Thanks Lee!
I appreciate your time and advice.
|
|
Top
|
|
Re: Question on building a Kennel
[Re: Josh Love ]
#22137 - 09/10/2003 05:45 PM |
Webboard User
Reg: 07-12-2001
Posts: 215
Loc: Boulder Creek, CA
| Offline |
|
I heartily endorse Lee's suggestion of both fencing and a kennel. That's what I did, so that Oka was in the kennel only when I left him at home (which I now rarely do, since I'm allowed to bring him to work so I can train at lunch), and in the yard whenever I was home but didn't want him underfoot in the house.
If you can't afford to do both right away, then start with the kennel. I use a cheap ($200) chain-link assemble-it-yourself kit that's about 8 feet by 10 feet; Lee's suggested size is probably a better idea (and he certainly has more experience than I to back up his opinion), although given the sleep-to-awake ratio of the average dog, it may not make a lot of difference.
Dave Trowbridge
Boulder Creek, CA |
|
Top
|
|
Re: Question on building a Kennel
[Re: Josh Love ]
#22138 - 09/10/2003 06:20 PM |
Webboard User
Reg: 07-31-2003
Posts: 13
Loc:
| Offline |
|
Thanks Dave...I think that I will start with a Kennel and go from there. I can always go forward and not backward.
|
|
Top
|
When purchasing any product from Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. it is understood
that any and all products sold by Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. are sold in Dunn
County Wisconsin, USA. Any and all legal action taken against Leerburg Enterprises,
Inc. concerning the purchase or use of these products must take place in Dunn
County, Wisconsin. If customers do not agree with this policy they should not
purchase Leerburg Ent. Inc. products.
Dog Training is never without risk of injury. Do not use any of the products
sold by Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. without consulting a local professional.
The training methods shown in the Leerburg Ent. Inc. DVD’s are meant
to be used with a local instructor or trainer. Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. cannot
be held responsible for accidents or injuries to humans and/or animals.
Copyright 2010 Leerburg® Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. All photos and content on leerburg.com are part of a registered copyright owned by Leerburg Enterprise, Inc.
By accessing any information within Leerburg.com, you agree to abide by the
Leerburg.com Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Previous Topic
Index
Next Topic
