Sorry, Konnie I was away all day. I put 4 inches of the washed (so it was smooth edged) pea gravel in the kennel. There are pros & cons like everything else. I would just pick up poo & weekly spray whole area with watered down bleach & them hose down again. I did find that in dry weather it tended to dust up (I spray it with the hose to to keep that to a minimum)& I would have to rake it to keep it somewhat level & keep the gravel from leaching out the sides. I think alot of the up keep (raking) would depend on the dog in there. I only had 1 dog in there at a time & only for a few hours at a time. I also didn't want to do something permanent since it is in the center of the yard. My only spot level enough for an 10' X 20' kennel. It worked for me, but if I were to do something permanent, I would most likey use concrete or something like that. Also, for alot of long term use the gravel will need to be replenished over time, as it eventually gets pushed into the ground as the dogs walk on it. I also have a track of the gravel around the kennel. This was dug out to a depth of several inches & 4 inch landscape border edging put around the edge on both sides & 4 inches of gravel in the middle of it. This gets pushed out when the dogs run around & take off & stop & turn on it. It also gets pushed into the ground over time & needs to be replenished. I hope this helps.

right now I'm using dirt and straw. I thought I was going to use it temporarly but it appears the dogs packed the dirt in hard enough to broom sweep, this winter I'm going to use large 5 by 10 cardboard sheets I get from work

I have 2 10x10 outside pens that I have pea gravel in. I like the pea gravel.It doesn't absorb odor and it is easy to pick up stool. The gravel does get kicked around but we rake it every couple of weeks.My husband also put up a metal barrier (used in landscaping, bushes) to keep the gravel contained.

I will look into the limestone, I have not considered that option. As for the inside kennel, I am still leaning towards the epoxy paint with a sealer.

 Quote: lisa harrison

... My husband also put up a metal barrier (used in landscaping, bushes) to keep the gravel contained.

Is this that kind of ruffled thin wall that you stick part-way into the ground? That people outline a flower bed with? That sounds like a great idea.

 Quote: Connie Sutherland

 Quote: lisa harrison

... My husband also put up a metal barrier (used in landscaping, bushes) to keep the gravel contained.

Is this that kind of ruffled thin wall that you stick part-way into the ground? That people outline a flower bed with? That sounds like a great idea.

Connie, that is similar to what I used around mine. Mine is the thick black plastic that has a lip on the top edge. It helps keep the gravel in, but it can still be pushed over the top of it when the dogs move around on it.

Yes.He could not remember what is was called. It works really well.

Konnie, sorry for the late reply. I have been away from internet access for a while.

Other options I can think of: wood posts, such as 6x6 or 8x8 treated lumber (or possibly Trex), railroad ties, flagstone or cut limestone, or you could just dig a lot of ground away before you lay in the gravel, but I would think that to be counterproductive. Digging out and laying a curb would be much easier than removing that much dirt. Esthetically speaking, the curb will look the best and hold up the longest.

Feel free to ask away if you have more questions. I'll get beck to you as soon as possible. I'm moving into a tent with no internet today, so it may be a while before I get back to you, but I will do my best.

Best of luck!
David