If you opt to raise your dog outdoors or if you have to leave your dog unattended for long periods of time everyday then it is essential to provide a comfortable and safe living area such as a dog kennel. You should also make sure that this area is clean and dry with proper ventilation and drainage. The kennel should be constructed with weatherproof materials and proper insulation to withstand extreme weather. It is better to locate the dog kennel near a wall or a tree that can provide shade to your pet, especially during summer.

The entrance to the dog kennel should be well protected from the prevailing wind. The kennel should be equipped with a water bowl that should be filled with fresh water at all times. Instead of earth floors it is better to provide a raised wooden floor for better insulation from heat and cold. Comfortable bedding should be placed and changed often to prevent breeding of fleas or parasites.

An ideal dog kennel should have adequate fencing that is tall and strong enough to prevent an aggressive dog from jumping or digging its way out. Generally, a dog has to be chained up in traditional kennels. In that case it is better to link the chain to a wire for better movement than to use rope which can be chewed away.

A better way to keep the kennel clean is to integrate the wire netting run with the dog kennel and provide separate entrance for you to clean up. Raised wooden flooring is easy to maintain and to keep the area clean. You don’t have to chain the dog and your pet is much safer in this type of arrangement.

In case you have more than one dog then it is much easier and practical to join several such units together. If the units are built over raised concrete base it becomes easier to hose it down. This arrangement is also ideal to deal with a bitch in heat or to keep a litter of pups secluded and safe.

Another method of housing a dog is to place a warm dog box inside a building like a garage or storage shed. You don’t have to chain the dog if the building is secure and you don’t have to worry about weatherproofing. Extra care to provide a proper dog kennel will ensure that your dog is safe, secure and healthy.