Opinions On Outdoor Kennel Idea?

[RoyalRain42]

![]( really want to see people’s ideas on this idea my dad came up with!

So with the idea of moving, my dad and myself have been trying to think of a nice upgraded dog kennel system to make when the move does eventually happen. This is the general idea we have come up with.

It will start with a 20 ft x 20 ft building. In each building there will be a 10 x 10 room next to eachother on one side. In here we will have stall mats down, each room acting as an indoor kennel for 2 dogs (my lab and brother’s husky in one, the two farm dogs in the other) the rooms will have beds, food bowls, automatic water (dad’s idea) The building will have climate control. Running along the front indoor side of these kennels will be a 10 x 20 sort of entry way that will act as storage for dog food and other supplies. This side will also have doors into the indoor kennels.

Now, from here on the outside there will be fencing around each kennel (see attached image idea, explains how the fencing goes off). With this design each indoor kennel will have a good sized run off it.

Now with these outdoor pens the idea is a bit complex. But we feel it has great potential Basically the idea would be to dig out this area about 4 feet and put maybe 3 or 4 inches of cement along the base. from here the fence would be built up from the edges of the cement and go up from there. We have not decided on if the fence will be solid or not. But once it reaches ground level it will most likely go another 7 ft or so up (gotta husky proof things) With the possibility of a coyote roller system in place.

Once the fencing is up we will fill the dug out area back in. Covering the cement so that there is still a good 4 feet or so of dirt before the cement. So with this set up, the dogs can dig holes to sleep in or exercise if they please. But, they would not be able to get out since the fence goes to the cement and they cant exactly dig into that.

This outdoor area would probably have a tree planted in at some point as well. It would have toys and their normally kiddie pools.

This setup would be used if we were out of town, or away for some reason and did not want anyone left inside. So that they would all have a safe place they can go to.

We are not sure yet how we want to make their entry way to the indoor kennel to the outdoor. We were thinking closeable doggy doors of some kind but where not sure. There is also talk of somehow making it connect to the house so they can be locked away at night but still be able to be let inside really easy. But that really makes things more complex (a lot more wiring, that fun stuff)

We are still in the planning process and are always thinking of ideas to improve. Thus why i posted here! I am curious if anyone has any other improvement ideas of this kennel system?

[IMG]http://i68.tinypic.com/152onrl.jpg)

[S1969]

Sounds wonderful; I’ve been thinking about how to construct something similar but it wouldn’t be anywhere as large. I would think about the outdoor runs and whether to have dirt or something else like stone dust that will drain better. If you have a wet season it might end up just being mud. You could some outdoor dog beds if you’re concerned about gravel or stone being too abrasive.

I would also reconsider trees in the outdoor areas and possibly consider putting shade cloth over of it. You might end up with a lot of leaves to clean up and a dead tree eventually that will need to be removed. Plus it will grow weeds that will look messy.

Most of the people that I know who have kennels have tops on them (e.g. chain link top) that they can cover with shade cloth…but their kennel areas are not as large as this, so that might be cost prohibitive. The coyote roller is a good idea if you’re not going with a top.

As for doors in and out of the human access area - maybe something like Dutch doors where can keep the tops closed most of the time but open them when a human needs to go through?

[RoyalRain42]

Hmm, I do like the idea of stone dust. Dad had also considered pea gravel. We normally get snow in the winter then it melts off and no other rain/moister (high desert)

I agree the trees would be more of a pain. Plus since we do not get rain most trees do not do well here (unless irrigated apple trees lol)

My idea for shade was to maybe place center posts that are higher than the fence to place the shade covers over. So they make tee pee like structures that way the shade cloth would not fall or sag?

I like the idea of the dutch doors, i think those would work well and would also look really nice.

[Jim_R]

Glad my dog cannot read, she would want a place like that(climate control) :encouragement:Sounds great.
I learned about coyote rollers today:)
I probably would make a section of the outside a wood deck for the dogs to get off ground if they want.

[S1969]

@Jim R

I probably would make a section of the outside a wood deck for the dogs to get off ground if they want.

My dog’s breeder had a large outdoor kennel with gravel and they built a bunch of wooden tables at different heights out of decking material. The dogs loved them and they could move them at different times of the year (e.g. in the sun in winter, out of the sun in summer).

[RoyalRain42]

@Jim R

I probably would make a section of the outside a wood deck for the dogs to get off ground if they want.

I do like this idea, and we have been trying to figure out some different ideas on what else to put in the outdoor. Maybe start with a small deck directly out of the access door from indoor to outdoor, then put smaller ones like with S1969 is describing. That i think they would enjoy. I do know our Shepherd farm dog would possibly try to dig under one to make himself a hide hole lol

[Houndhill]

You might consider putting an overhang on the roof that goes into the dog runs- put Cujo cots under the overhang, it will be their favorite place to hang out, in the shade, or if it is raining or snowing. We added an overhang to our kennel a couple of years ago, and the dogs love it!
Dont forget human doors as well as dog doors out to the runs, so you can easily go out to scoop, etc.

There is never enough storage for dog food, crates, supplies, etc. What about a grooming area with a bathtub?

I also suggest gravel, with cots for resting areas. You do not want mud. They can dig in gravel just fine.

[Brookes]

The one thing I would have changed when we built our kennel area; I would have sloped the concrete area so that water would run down into the drainage area when hosing. We have to get the big broom out and sweep the water down. Urg! I love your layout! Maybe the next house! What a wonderful doggy palace you have planned.

We have one area in the kennel where the dogs are taught to potty. We use small micro bark in there. It is easily cleaned up and replaced when it gets funky. We also stock giant bottles of white distilled vinegar and use that to cut urine and feces smells on the concrete (one bitch refuses to use micro bark area, but I still love her!) . It is non toxic and does a great job of cutting smells on concrete or other surfaces. Costco, 2 1-gallon jugs is around $3.60!