Guidelines for Dog Runs

As a dog owner looking to provide safety and security for your pet, dog runs and kennels can be a great option.

While a kennel alone can be located either indoors or in the back yard, a complete permanent backyard set up with a dog run can more safely accommodate your pet for slightly longer periods of time, allowing them to move around more freely and get some exercise if they want to.

A few guidelines can help every pet owner find the best dog kennel and run and help to keep your dog’s space safe at all times.

When deciding how large of an area to devote to your pet, keep in mind your dog’s size as well as how long you plan on having them in their space.

Dog kennel runs should rarely be a permanent living situation for any dog. If you plan to be away for longer periods of time, a run area is necessary so that your dog has some space to exercise, which will help keep your pet healthy.

Pets that are enclosed in too small of spaces for the majority of the time often experience restriction of muscle growth and development, which can affect their major body functions including cardiovascular and digestive processes, as well as their ability to move around.

Another factor in what size dog kennel and run you should consider is the number of dogs that will be kept in the space and their sizes.

Larger dogs will need a larger space, both for laying and moving around in. If more than one dog is kept in close quarters it is important that they get along before being locked up together and that, they each have sufficient space which can help minimize aggression.

It also becomes even more important to address many health concerns when more than one dog is kept in a kennel for long periods, spread of infections and diseases such a kennel cough can quickly spread if not treated immediately.

Options abound, from custom dog runs and kennels to basic models that can be purchased at any dog supplies store. Many shapes and sizes are available from dog supplies vendors to accommodate specific breeds of dogs or more than one.

Both indoor and outdoor kennels can be found, but indoor kennels are not usually large enough to suit larger dog breeds. If you plan on including a dog kennel and run in your backyard, there are many choices for size and shape of the run area, as well as size and style of the kennel.

The important thing to remember is that your pet should have plenty of room to comfortably move about including lying down, stretching out, turning around, and the ability to sleep towards the back of the kennel to avoid strong winds, rains, or bright sunlight if they wish.

A well-designed kennel attached to the dog run is the perfect place to keep your dog at night to ensure they are safe, warm, and not running around getting into things while everyone else is asleep.

It is important after choosing your exercise run and getting it set up, to periodically take some time to make sure that it is kept clean and sanitized. Proper ventilation and cleanliness will discourage the growth of bacteria, which could affect your dogs or your family.

Your pet’s health can be really affected by unclean living conditions. So the more time you expect your pet to stay within his area the more often you should set aside time to make sure that it is cleaned well.

Dog runs and kennels provide a safe place for your pets to play and rest comfortably so that you do not have to worry about them all the time.

Take your time investigating dog runs before you make your purchase; taking into consideration your space constraints, number of dogs and their sizes, and the amount of time you will need to keep them in their space. Once you find the right set-up, your pet will grow to love his space and you will love knowing he is safe.