So, with the many fosters that come in and out with separation anxiety/a severe disliking for crates, and my own pup that has learned to scale the fence and dig, I've decided it would be a super idea to put in some dog kennels. I'm going in the morning to a local store around here to take a look at some that will be easy to put together (I can't actually BUILD anything, c'mon now!). My issue is the flooring. I want to put in a deck, and then I think put in that instant flooring (this plastic-ish flooring made for dog kennels) on top of it, I'm not too sure of what to do.

http://www.covemountainkennels.com/building-a-kennel/ That article has my ideal deck for the kennels, and I'm not really sure I understand how to put that together. Also, it seems like that could just, I don't know, fall over or something sitting on the deck like that and I don't know how/if you can keep that from happening or if I'm just asking the stupidest questions you've ever heard of! Lol.

I'm going for the cheaper route, as I'm kinda short on money. But it needs to be elevated. I'd like for the dogs to be outside sometimes when I'm gone, but I won't do that without a kennel, and the weather here can be sunny one minute and flood your yard the next. Basically, I want them warm and dry in the winter/monsoon seasons. And I'm putting covers on the top and sides for any harsh weather as well obviously. It's just the flooring I'm having issue with. Would anyone be so kind as to help me?

p.s. please please ask anything I wasn't clear on because I'm certain I wasn't clear/didn't cover a lot, but I'm just not sure what else one would like to know.

"So, with the many fosters that come in and out with separation anxiety/a severe disliking for crates ... "

Everything else completely aside, I just want to mention that a foster dog who has a crate aversion is well served by crate-training (desensitizing, games, everything that results in a dog who is happy with his crate) for his adopters. The fosters are much more likely to end up in a home without a kennel.

I am sure that you know this and I definitely don't want to get your thread O.T. .... just the briefest of "foster moments."

And back to "Building a Kennel."

I rarely take in dogs with separation anxiety, I'm not always able to afford the damage they do. And I never said I wasn't crate training them. I'm just not about to leave them in a crate when I'm gone just so they can get out and to things they shouldn't. Kennels are my best option. And, these are more for my dogs than fosters. The fosters will just benefit from it as well. Sigh. Who exactly do I ask for advice on building the deck for the kennels? Random sales associate at Lowe's? Lol, I don't know where to even start. Hence the post.

Dannielle, Have you consideresd using a piece of no-maintanence fencing for the bottom? you could screw it on top of a few long pieces of wood laid down for strength and to keep it off of the ground. Use a couple of U-bolts to connect the kennel to a strong part of the fencing (all you would need is an electric screw driver or drill) and I think that may work. I've never tried it, but in my head it sounds feasable