| If you have been bothered about your pet dog | | | | provided. Good plans would be able to help you on |
| disturbing your neighbors with its constant barking | | | | this. It is best to have a roof with hinges, so that |
| and period excursions to their lawn, dog kennel | | | | the shelter can be easily cleaned. It is best to |
| plans are the perfect solution. A kennel will also | | | | clean the kennel each time your pet is given a |
| ensure that your pet does not stray into the | | | | bath. |
| street and also provide it with a home of its own. | | | | The kennel should be properly ventilated to allow |
| You also needn't always share your living quarters | | | | free flow of air in summer. Your plans would be |
| with your pet. | | | | able to provide you with suitable tips regarding |
| When building a kennel on your own with the help | | | | this. It should also provide protection from cold |
| of plans, it is necessary to keep in mind several | | | | winds in the winter. You may also think in terms |
| considerations so that your pet's comfort as well | | | | of heating options to keep your pet warm in the |
| as sanitation is looked after. Your plans should | | | | winter such as electric blankets and beds, heater |
| provide detailed information about how to choose | | | | boxes and heater units. However due care should |
| the size of the shelter, the location, ventilation, | | | | be taken so as to prevent accidents. The shelter |
| drainage system, strength and kind of building | | | | should also have an overhanging roof to protect |
| materials among others. | | | | your dog against heavy rains and hard winds. |
| Determining the size of the kennel is very | | | | You can use straw and cedar shavings as bedding. |
| important. For this, you may measure the dog, | | | | Blankets can get wet and frozen. The bedding |
| and determine the size accordingly. The building | | | | should be changed every two weeks. |
| should be tall enough to provide considerable | | | | The material used for the making of the dog |
| clearance, and wide enough to allow your pet to | | | | kennel should be chosen taking into consideration |
| sit or lie down comfortably. Plans would be able to | | | | the durability and toughness of the wood. If pine |
| help you select and build a shelter of any size. | | | | is selected, it should be pressure treated. Cedar is |
| Finding a good place for the building is also one of | | | | also good, and is durable. Your plans would be able |
| the primary things to be done. It should be a | | | | to help you to choose the right type of wood. |
| comfortable one, preferably under a tree. If one | | | | If pressure treated timber is used in the making |
| of the reasons for you to build a shelter is so | | | | of the dog kennel, you should ensure that they |
| that your pet does not bother your neighbors, | | | | are not used to make any surface which the dog |
| then it is advisable to have it located away from | | | | is likely to chew. This is because such timber |
| them. It should ideally open out to a yard or open | | | | contains preservatives which are likely to be |
| ground to allow your pet enough space to run | | | | harmful to your dog. It is best to use such timber |
| around and get exercise. | | | | as material for the roof, floor and skids, as it is |
| The most important part of a kennel is the | | | | unlikely that your dog would chew these places. |
| foundation and the frame and it is vital that due | | | | Your plans would be able to provide you with |
| care is taken in their making by properly following | | | | more detailed instructions on this topic. |
| the instructions given in plans. Like all buildings, the | | | | It is easy to build a dog kennel yourself with the |
| stronger the foundation, the longer the | | | | help of plans, and the work can be finished in one |
| construction will last. | | | | day, if you have all the materials and equipments. |
| Your building should be designed in such a way | | | | Moreover, the sense of achievement and the |
| that it allows easy maintenance. Proper drainage | | | | savings in cost compared to having it built by a |
| for waste water and animal wastes should be | | | | professional are well worth the effort. |