Making a Dog Kennel
A kennel can be a great way to get your dog more exercise and outdoor time. A sturdy enclosure both prevents runaways and protects your pet from other animals. By building your own, you can tailor the kennel to your dog and your property, as well as save on costs. Building a kennel is also simple enough that kids can help and feel they are playing a role in caring for their pet.
Instructions
1. Check your local zoning ordinances to determine whether you need a permit to build a kennel. Some counties have additional requirements for kennels, such as the posting of a "Beware of Dog" sign. Take any legal steps required before getting started.
2. Choose a location for the kennel. An ideal spot has a balance of shady and sunny areas; dogs require shade in most climates to escape the summer sun, but some sunlight will help keep the floor of the kennel dry. Nearby trees and shrubs may also help to block the wind when it's cold. For safety, select a location you can easily see from your house. (Reference 1)
3. Decide on the dimensions of the kennel. The size of your yard should come into play here, as well as the size of your dog and the amount of time you expect the dog to spend there. If Spot will spend a great deal of time in his new space, plan on a larger area that includes a dog house. Typical dimensions are 8x16 feet for a medium-sized dog, 16x16 feet for a large dog, and 8x8 or 10x10 feet for a small one.
4. Purchase a pre-made kennel kit from a hardware store, pet store, or online. Kits tend to be less expensive and easier to install than chain link fencing. If you'll be pouring the concrete pad directly on soil, excavate the area to about 2 inches deep for a 4 inch thick pad. If you live in a wetter climate and are spreading gravel underneath the pad for drainage, dig the area to the depth of the gravel you intend to lay down, plus 2 inches for the pad. Dig post holes about 6 inches from the edges of the pad. Line the perimeter of the dug out area with 2 x 4 inch boards to create the form. Drive stakes along the outside edges of the forms and nail the corners together.
5. Sink the posts into place and add 6 inches of gravel into the postholes. Plumb the posts with a level. Install 2 in.-high flat pieces of rock or cement as supports for the rebar, which needs to be approximately in the center of the concrete slab. The rebar will help keep the cement from cracking. Create a grid of rebar with a two-foot spacing in both directions. Unite the rebar sections with wiring at intersections. Pour the concrete following the kennel manufacturer's directions. The slab should slope slightly to allow water to run off. Allow two to three days for the concrete to set.
6. Construct the kennel fencing per the manufacturer's directions included with your dog kennel kit. If your plans include a dog house which is wider than your kennel's gate, remember to place the dog house on the pad before putting up the fencing. Be sure to thread a tension wire along the bottom loops of the chain link mesh and wrap it securely around the corner posts to prevent your dog from working his way underneath the fence and escaping.
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