Maybe your home lacks a fenced-in yard. Or maybe it doesn&#;t, but you want to protect its lush landscaping. Or maybe your dog needs a quiet place to rest while you entertain al fresco. Or you need a safe spot for your dog while you run an errand and he&#;s not ready to be loose in the house &#; but you want him to have more space than contained in a crate.

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When used responsibly, an outdoor dog kennel can be used similar to a crate &#; as a safe space for a dog to relax when you&#;re not able to appropriately supervise her. Modern outdoor dog kennels (also known as &#;outdoor dog runs&#;) come in a variety of customizable sizes, materials, and designs to complement any taste or need.

When might you use an outdoor dog kennel? There are several situations where a kennel can be beneficial:

• To safely give dogs some outdoor time when a fenced yard is not available. (In this case, &#;safe&#; means your home is safe from any destructive canine activities and your dog is safe from any potential animal intruders.)
• When you&#;re unable to directly supervise a dog in outdoor situations where lack of supervision might lead to unwanted outcomes (such as fence-fighting, digging up the landscaping, chasing the family cat, etc.).

   

• To contain escape-artist dogs left outside when you&#;re not home. To help teach dogs to not just calmly accept but also enjoy time away from their owners.

CHOOSING AN OUTSIDE DOG KENNEL

Pre-fabricated kennels come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and custom kennels, as the name suggests, can be designed to accommodate almost any needs or wants. Most are designed and sold in a modular form, with a minimum of panels that are clamped together to form a small-sized enclosure, with additional panels (sold separately) that can be added to make the enclosure larger.  

Because an outdoor kennel should only be used as temporary accommodation, it need not provide a vast abundance of space. Consider the size of the dog and the number of dogs to be contained within the outdoor dog kennel, and make sure the enclosure is large enough to allow space for relieving away from where your dog is likely to rest. 

Square enclosures measuring 10 feet by 10 feet work well for even large-breed dogs. If containing more than one medium- to large-breed dog, consider an enclosure that&#;s at least twice as long as it is wide. If your environment and budget can support a larger enclosure, that&#;s great. 

Carefully consider your dog&#;s temperament and athletic ability and make sure the panels are tall enough to prevent an escape. Or, better yet, look for an enclosure that can accommodate a top panel or cover, especially if you have one of those talented, determined climbers.

CREATING A SAFE AND COMFORTABLE KENNEL ENVIRONMENT

Consider these key points when installing an outdoor dog kennel:

• Location, location, location. Choose an area of the yard free from distractions that might frustrate your dog. If your dog is prone to running along your shared fence line when neighbor dogs are present, avoid installing the dog kennel in that area. If watching the family enjoying the pool whips your dog into a frenzy, aim to locate the dog kennel out of view of the pool. Ideally, your dog will be relaxed &#; not just contained &#; when in the outdoor kennel.
• Protection from elements. Avoid installing the outdoor dog kennel in areas where there is no shade, or where your dog would be exposed to a relentless wind.

   

• Install within reach of a water source. It&#;s important to keep your dog&#;s outdoor kennel clean, and you&#;ll want easy access to a hose.

   

When it comes to designing your outdoor dog kennel flooring, there are several options to choose from:

• Utilize the existing ground covering. The existing dirt or grass in your yard may be sufficient. However, if your dog is a digger &#; who may experiment with digging out of the enclosure &#; you&#;ll need to dig-proof the perimeter of the kennel. This can often be accomplished by lining the perimeter with cinderblocks or pavers, large rocks, or by attaching a strip of wire or plastic snow fencing to the bottom of the enclosure and burying the fencing underground.

   

• Decomposed granite or pea gravel. This is often recommended over gravel, stone, or sand as it&#;s softer on the pads and doesn&#;t hold as much heat in hot weather.
• Concrete. Concrete is a fan favorite among kennel professionals for its ease of cleaning and sanitization. If installing a concrete slab, consider pouring the concrete on a slight slope to promote proper drainage.
• Artificial turf. Many dog owners like artificial turf because, unlike living grass, it doesn&#;t die and become discolored from urine. However, in warm climates, unless it&#;s completely shaded, artificial turf can become hot to the touch, and it can require extra care to prevent and manage odors in areas of frequent elimination.

   

ACCESSORIZE FOR MAXIMUM COMFORT

It&#;s important to outfit your outdoor dog kennel with the proper accessories to keep your dog safe and comfortable:

• Access to plenty of fresh water. Always have plenty of water available. If your dog is likely to spill a bowl of water, consider hanging a large stainless steel water bucket. If a water spigot is accessible, consider installing a dog faucet device like the Lixit for easy access to constantly fresh water. (Note: Until you know your dog is proficient at using the Lixit, be sure to provide a secondary water source that&#;s more familiar &#; such as a large bowl or bucket.)
• Elevated resting area. An elevated cot or padded platform helps keep your dog cool in warm weather by allowing air to circulate below him. It can also keep him clean and help prevent elbow callouses that sometimes form similar to pressure sores. Such sores are more common on larger and older dogs who spend more time lounging on hard surfaces such as tile floors or concrete spaces.
• Appropriate shade and shelter. Use well-placed, breathable shade fabric to help keep the area cool and protect your dog from excessive exposure to the sun&#;s ultraviolet rays. Be sure to use breathable materials that allow sufficient airflow. Consider adding a doghouse as an even quieter spot to catch a nap or as protection from unexpected inclement weather.
• Enrichment activities. Outfit your dog&#;s outdoor kennel with fun and interesting things to do. A child&#;s wading pool can be the source of cooling water fun or filled with sand to create a digging pit. If your dog likes to tug, a rope toy can be affixed to a post along the kennel frame. Make plenty of toys and raw, meaty bones or food-stuffed toys available to your dog. For a real challenge, hang a food-stuffed toy (such as a Kong or Toppl) from the top of the dog kennel and encourage your dog to work the puzzle as it dangles.

TEACH YOUR DOG TO ENJOY KENNEL TIME

Teaching your dog to accept and enjoy time in an outdoor dog kennel is similar to teaching your dog to enjoy time in a crate. (See &#;Crate Training to Keep Your Dog Content,&#; WDJ October .) Feeding meals and/or giving him chews and treat-stuffed toys in the outdoor kennel can quickly establish a positive association with being in the outdoor run &#; especially if that&#;s the only place he receives those special treats. You can also accompany your dog inside the kennel for some fun play. Make initial training sessions short and fun.

Just as with crates, don&#;t use time in the kennel as a &#;time out&#; location or punishment. It&#;s important to preserve your dog&#;s positive association with short-term confinement. And most importantly, be sure not to overuse the outdoor kennel. Dogs are family, and they deserve to spend as much of their relatively short lives as possible in the company of their beloved humans. 

Discover Your Dog&#;s Next Dream Home

3 BENEFITS OF A HAND-BUILT OUTDOOR DOG KENNEL

Many pet owners have concerns about whether it is ok or even appropriate to keep their dogs outside.  For some pet owners, it is a question of leaving their dog outside for a couple hours while they run errands. Other pet owners need a solution where their dog is not in the house at all.  This question can be a bit anxiety inducing, so let&#;s have a closer look at it!

CAN I KEEP MY DOG OUTSIDE?

Yes, you can! As long as you take appropriate precautions for the safety of your dog, provide proper temperature control, and have facilities that are clean, there is no reason why you cannot safely keep your dog outside.  It is, however, critical that you pay attention to these three areas.

If you are currently searching for a way to allow your dog to live outside full or part-time, you are likely finding many many options that are simply not adequate and will fail to cover the three basic needs as outlined above. It is not wise to choose a solution that is simply &#;good enough&#;, but rather find a solution that will allow your dog to THRIVE.  

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At Lone Star Structures, we feel that the large outdoor dog kennels that we hand-build is the IDEAL solution because it will pass the three-fold test of providing more than adequate safety for your dog, temperature control, and cleanliness.  

Let&#;s be clear on one thing though.  We are talking about basic needs for your dog here&#; The perfect outdoor dog kennel will not provide EVERY need for your dog.  For example, your dog will also need adequate food, water, socialization etc&#;  For a full and comprehensive list of everything that a dog needs, check out this link from the American Kennel Club.

With that in mind, here are the three basic reasons a hand-built high quality outdoor dog kennel with a floor, roof, and a run will be a phenomenal outdoor option for your dog.

1. A QUALITY OUTDOOR DOG KENNEL KEEPS YOUR DOG SAFE

Your dog needs space to move around, but you want your dog to be able to move around safely. If you have a fenced in backyard it might be tempting to simply let the dog run free, however, there is a real possibility for a dog to find a way of escaping the backyard.  When the dog is at home and the family is at work or school, wouldn&#;t it be great to have the peace of mind that your pet is safe at home AND enjoying the great outdoors?

It&#;s also worth mentioning  that predators like Coyotes are a real and potential problem in some parts of the country for smaller dogs in particular.  So having a secure kennel in those situations is essential!

Another critical safety concern for your dog staying outside, is the chance of bad weather. This is why an outdoor dog kennel with a high quality roof and interior area is essential. There are a lot of cheap outdoor dog kennel options where the roof consists of a simple tarp. While that might work for a little while, tarps can tear easily in a major wind event, and will be totally useless in a driving rain.  Having a solid roof AND an interior partition built into the dog kennel itself is an excellent way to ensure that your dog will always be safe no matter what the weather.

If your lifestyle and home needs demand that your dog stays outside the house when you are gone&#; there is really no substitute for the peace of mind that comes with a highly secure enclosed dog kennel that is safe from elements and predators.

2. A QUALITY OUTDOOR DOG KENNEL KEEPS YOUR DOG WARM (AND COOL)

Every breed of dog will have a bit of a different requirement for keeping warm in the winter time. Siberian huskies for example, have long been known for thriving in sub zero temperatures.  But most of us do not have Husky.  Some breeds like Boston Terrier should have special accommodations under 45 degrees Fahrenheit. It is essential that you take the time to understand the needs of your particular dog in regard to cold weather. Pregnant dogs will have additional concerns in the winter.

In the summertime, excessive heat may present the opposite challenge to your beloved dog. Heat stroke in dogs is a real concern for some breeds in particular, like bulldogs.  Providing adequate shade and cooling (and water of course) is essential for your dogs in the summer.

Once you know and understand the particular needs of your particular breed of dog, factored in with your local climate, you can determine what kind of temperature control may be necessary for your dog. At Lone Star Structures, our dog kennels are  built to the same basic specs of a residential house. If your breed of dog is resistant to cold weather, and you live in a warm part of the country, then you may get by with simply leaving the unfinished part of the kennel the way it is. For colder weather, outdoor dog kennels should be insulated in order to winterize your kennel.

If your dog and climate don&#;t fit this criteria, dog kennels like ours are quite simple to insulate. This could be a fun DIY project for you and your family, but if you do choose to purchase an outdoor dog kennel from us, we can finish it for you however you need it!

Here is a photo of the standard &#;unfinished&#; interior look of our outdoor dog kennels.

Here is how we insulated and finished an outdoor dog kennel for one customer who needed to keep his dog cool in the heat.

Insulating the walls like this allow you to efficiently run a space heater and/or small air conditioner, and will work for either or both objectives of heating and cooling the kennel.

Lastly,

3. A QUALITY OUTDOOR DOG KENNEL KEEPS YOUR DOG CLEAN

Cleanliness and sanitation is important for your dogs health and nobody wants to see a muddy dog.

This is why having an outdoor dog kennel with a floor just makes so much sense. One of the pitfalls of any dog kept outside whether in a traditional kennel, or roaming free in the backyard is its propensity to follow the same paths and create dirt patches all over the yard.  All it takes is one simple rain and you&#;ve mud hole on your hands as well as a beloved, but muddy Fido. 

A quality clean dog kennel is not only good for the health of your dog, it&#;s also good for you and your family.  After you and the family get home for the day you can be assured that your dog will be clean enough to spend the evening curled up with you on the couch&#; you can&#;t say that for most dogs who are living outside. 

In the event that your dog is not house trained yet, an outdoor dog kennel with a good floor will give you the perfect space to work on house training him/her, it is also super easy to clean for the occasional mess.

While there are other potentially creative workarounds to effectively keeping your dog outside, a high quality all-in-one dog kennel with a roof and floor that can easily keep your dog safe, comfortable, and clean is going to be a triple win.

Check out the following gallery for different options that we have hand-built here at Lone Star Structures.  They can be customized in various colors and styles. You will end up with a perfect high-end home for your dog. 

Part of keeping your dog kennel clean includes regular cleaning. Over time, dogs make their kennel dirty, and it will need a good wash. Having the right dog kennel cleaning supplies is crucial to making sure that your dog will have the clean home that you want to give. Overall, you want your dog to enjoy living in a comfortable, clean home!

If you want to learn more, please visit our website Steel Dog Kennel Outdoor.