For many years now, a dog has been a devoted friend of a person, or rather, a member of the family in which it lives. Naturally, it is difficult to have a large four-legged pet in an apartment, but if a person is the happy owner of a private house, then a faithful guardian and friend - a dog - should always live in the yard.
But to ensure comfortable living conditions for your shaggy pet, you need to worry about convenient and comfortable housing - a booth. And in order to independently make a simple apartment for an animal, you need to understand the drawings and design features of such a structure. This will make the dog house as comfortable, convenient and warm as possible .
Where should it be?
The most important thing is to choose a place to build an enclosure on your site. You should not place the enclosure in the most remote part of the yard.
There is a great opportunity to regret what you have done, because a dog that is isolated from society will worry and bark loudly.
A dog enclosure would also be superfluous next to a fence: in this case, your dog will be interested in people passing by.
And if the dog is large, it can easily jump over the fence, for example, in winter, choosing a snowdrift as a fulcrum. This could end in trouble for both of you.
The best place for an enclosure is at the front of the yard. The dog enclosure will be located near the gate to the house and next to the path. This way, the dog will be able to observe what is happening around him, but at the same time will be quite isolated in his shelter.
Provide your four-legged friend with good living conditions. After all, building an enclosure is a serious matter and should be approached with special responsibility.
Before starting construction work, you should consider:
- dog breed;
- pet's age;
- gender of the dog;
- location of the site;
- compass rose
Dimensions and location of dog housing
Before you start assembling the structure with your own hands, you need to choose the right location for it in the yard. First of all, this will allow you to turn an ordinary booth into a kind of security post through which no stranger will pass. In addition, when placing a structure, the following factors should be taken into account:
- When installing a dog house, it is important to take into account the direction of the wind, since the structure should not be blown through;
- the place should have good lighting, and be located next to natural shade, where the animal can hide from the scorching sun;
- the dog house should not be located in a low area where rainwater can accumulate; it is better if the kennel is on a slight hill;
- It is better to place the booth close to the entrance to human habitation.
It is important to consider that, regardless of the shape of the pet kennel, its dimensions must exactly match the physical characteristics of the dog. Therefore, the basis of calculations is the height, length and other parameters of the animal with small allowances.
Based on the breed of the dog, on which its physical characteristics depend, the following dimensions are used to construct the booth in accordance with the drawings:
- for a small dog such as a dachshund, a house with dimensions of 70 cm in length, 55 cm in width and 60 cm in height is suitable;
- for average dogs, to which shepherds can be included, booths with dimensions of 120 by 75 by 80 cm, respectively, in length, width and height, are suitable;
- For the Alabai or Caucasian Shepherd, which are the largest representatives of dogs, a home with dimensions of 140 cm length, 100 cm width, 95 cm height is suitable.
Due to the fact that even within the same breed, dogs can differ in size, the kennel for the animal is customized according to individual parameters. And to correctly determine the dimensions of a dog house, you need to start from the width, the entrance of the booth, which should correspond to the size of the animal’s chest, with a margin of up to 100 mm , the height 50 mm below the dog’s tail and the depth corresponding to the length of the pet.
What should it be?
The main requirement for building an enclosure is as follows: remember that you are building a house for your dog and it should be comfortable, cozy and calm.
In the enclosure, the dog should feel warm and dry. After all, the dog not only sleeps or eats there. He also plays there, rests, and guards the territory.
Your dog should have plenty of room to move around inside the enclosure, so:
- an enclosure for a beagle, spaniel, shiba inu or other medium breeds no more than 50 cm at the withers, the area must be at least six square meters;
- an enclosure for a husky or Labrador , as well as other dogs whose height at the withers reaches 65-70 cm, you need to build an enclosure with an area of at least eight meters;
- the enclosure for a Caucasian or Central Asian Shepherd Dog , Alabai should be very large: at least ten square meters. Preferably more.
We have decided on the size of the area. What about the gender of the animal?
The requirements for a bitch and a dog are completely different. A female individual needs a maternity room and a vestibule, which will be located in the enclosure.
It should be protected as much as possible from bad weather, because the bitch will give birth to puppies and they will not be in the kennel, but will begin to move around the entire area for their games.
A male dog needs a large and reliable kennel; he is physically strong and strong. A large and strong male is able to knock out a lock or break an enclosure, so he must be strong.
Varieties
The main classification allows you to divide structures according to the place of application:
Outdoor enclosures
They are used for permanent or temporary maintenance of large and medium-sized breeds, mainly long-haired ones.
Buildings for permanent use are made permanent, with solid walls and small inserts of mesh or lattice. As a rule, such structures are additionally heated to make them comfortable in winter.
As for seasonal buildings, such outdoor dog enclosures are more often used in the summer, for example, on a site where a family and their pet come for the summer.
Regardless of the frequency of use, it is necessary to take care of the availability of walking space, the size of which depends on the temperament and size of the dog.
Home enclosures
They are necessary for the safe keeping of puppies, creating a corner for the dog, and demarcating the territory of a house or apartment when a small child is born.
The simplest designs are made in the form of a folding fence, and products in the form of a cage provide maximum safety.
Inside there is a pet bed or kennel, but if there are puppies inside, you will also need to place a tray there.
Size calculation
Photo:
If we have decided on the area of the enclosure, then what about the height? The height of the enclosure should be designed in such a way that the dog can stand freely on its hind legs without touching the roof.
Important! If an enclosure is being built for several dogs, the area must be increased by one and a half times.
We select suitable materials
So, what materials are useful when making a booth?
First of all, you need to stock up on wood: bars with a section of 4 x 4 centimeters, plywood (or clapboard) and floorboards. It also doesn’t hurt to stock up on roofing felt, tarpaulin, and polystyrene foam. For assembly, it is advisable to use short but thick screws. They securely fix the wood and do not stick out inside the kennel, which could cause injury to the dog.
The tools you will need are: a screwdriver, a saw, a measuring ruler or meter and a pencil - perhaps everything you need can be found in any household.
With everything you need at hand, you can safely get to work.
How to do it yourself?
Aviary drawings
Once you have decided on the size of the enclosure, make a drawing. To do this, you can use a ready-made project or make it according to your own idea. After the drawing is ready, take care of the building materials to build the enclosure.
Making an enclosure for your favorite four-legged pet is not at all difficult! It will be great if you have welding equipment. However, you can also use an ordinary hammer drill.
To construct the structure you will need:
- metal corner;
- iron rod or ready-made forged lattice;
- roofing material;
- wood for decoration;
- dog house.
Manufacturing
The drawing is ready, the location of the enclosure and its dimensions have been determined, building materials have been purchased, which means it’s time to move on to the process itself. Construction must begin by driving corners into the ground along the perimeter of the future dog enclosure.
First, weld the transverse corner horizontally. It is he who will fasten the vertical corners together. When installing the structure, remember that you need to choose a location for the gate.
And also provide a cutout at the bottom of the grille. It is likely that the dog will have to be fed to strangers, and it may be aggressive.
Next, start building the floor. You shouldn’t leave it grounded because the dog can easily dig underneath and run away. The back and side walls will need to be covered with boards.
Kennel and place for feeding the dog
Be responsible when building or purchasing a booth. After all, this is your pet’s home, shelter and place to sleep.
Consider the following nuances:
- the size of the booth should be suitable for the size of the pet;
- inside the dog should be able to turn around and stretch out;
- The dog does not need a lot of space, such a booth will be cold;
- use coniferous trees for the walls of the booth;
- if the climate is harsh, additionally insulate the walls;
- make the roof of the kennel removable, so you can easily reach the dog or get it out of the kennel in case of illness;
- It is better to make the roof flat - for the dog it is an observation point for what is happening;
- make sure that the dog does not leave the enclosure using the booth as an aid.
Set up a feeding area closer to the fence. It is better to make or purchase a special table with recesses for bowls for water and food.
Enclosures for puppies
In addition, an enclosure in the apartment will be useful for puppies if the dog plans to have them. During the period when the bitch is feeding puppies, a mini-aviary will be the best purchase.
Important! Estimate the area of your apartment. Will an enclosure fit there or is it better to limit it to a cage or clipper? The apartment's enclosure should contain dog bedding, toys, a bowl of water and a diaper on which the dog can relieve itself.
An enclosure is not a place of punishment for a dog, no matter where he is at home or outside. This is the dog's home, where he should go with a positive attitude and feel safe there. You cannot punish or beat a dog in an enclosure.
Why do you need a booth?
Of course, the most obvious and understandable answer: to hide from bad weather and cold. Indeed, being in a well-insulated and well-made booth, the dog can easily endure frost, wind, and rain without risking its health and feeling as comfortable as possible.
However, some owners even build kennels for dogs living in apartments or private houses, and not on the street. What is this – excessive concern or a completely rational approach? This is actually a very smart decision. After all, a booth is not only a shelter from bad weather. This is also the dog’s personal corner, in which he will feel as safe as possible. Just as a person should have his own room in an apartment, or at least a corner that he could feel like his own and arrange according to his own wishes, so a dog should have a kennel.
This is especially important in cases where you do not want your dog to sleep on the bed with you, and also do not allow you to jump onto a chair or sofa, believing that it should sleep on the floor, on a special bedding. Just in this case, having a booth will not be superfluous at all. It creates the illusion of greater security for the dog, which means your pet will feel more comfortable throughout its life.
Of course, if you are building a kennel in a house, it can be assembled from thin plywood or other simple materials - you don’t have to think about additional insulation or even installing a floor.
Mistakes to Avoid
After building an enclosure, various problems may arise. It is easier to avoid mistakes if you know about possible difficulties in advance.
Recommendations from those who have already built enclosures:
- forged decorative elements are beautiful, but can injure the dog. If possible, it is better to abandon them;
- The location of the enclosure should be chosen based on the view that opens. The more territory the dog sees, the more interesting it will be for him;
- When installing a door , it is important that it opens inward. Otherwise the dog will be able to knock it out. It is also necessary to install a lock or deadbolt;
- When using wooden boards, it is advisable not to nail them, because over time they will become loose and come out, which is dangerous for the dog.
Hygiene and appearance care
Teach your dog to hygiene procedures as early as possible so that she can tolerate them calmly. You can reward your pet with a treat for good behavior. Check ears, eyes and teeth regularly, and if there are signs of itching or purulence, contact your veterinarian immediately. When walking in a park area in the warm season, carefully examine your dog’s skin for ticks. If the claws do not wear down enough when walking on the ground and asphalt, trim them using special tweezers.
Retrievers are very clean by nature, so the question of how often to wash a Labrador is, as a rule, not an urgent issue. A tough, waterproof coat protects the dog from excessive soiling, but it requires weekly brushing to remove dead hairs and undercoat. Caring for a Labrador in an apartment mostly comes down to brushing with a stiff brush and periodically washing the paws and belly after a walk in inclement weather.
If the dog lives on the street, then it will need water treatments much more often. Understanding how to bathe a Labrador puppy is not difficult at all. The main thing is not to overdo it with shampoo, so as not to disrupt the waterproof properties of the top layer of wool. Labradors are excellent swimmers and love to swim, so you can freely let them into the water if you have access to a body of water.
How to care for the enclosure?
In order for the enclosure to stand for a long time, and for the dog to feel comfortable and healthy in it, it is necessary to monitor the cleanliness and order of the home:
- The enclosure itself and the surrounding area should be cleaned at least twice a week. Be sure to get rid of seeds and leftover food.
- Once a month it is recommended to carry out wet cleaning followed by disinfection inside the arena. In winter, procedures are carried out once every three months.
Important! You can let your dog into your home only after the surfaces have dried. It is important for a large dog not only to have a personal space where he can rest peacefully, but also to have unhindered access to fresh air at any time.
The enclosure not only represents the dog’s private territory, but also helps to protect the integrity of the surrounding area.
Keeping a Labrador in an apartment
Caring for a Labrador in an apartment requires the owner to have a lot of free time for walking. Labradors are a very active breed, loving and friendly; it is strictly contraindicated for them to be locked within four walls around the clock. You can help your pet avoid obesity and make him much happier thanks to:
- regular jogging in the company of a four-legged friend;
- visiting special areas where he can play with other dogs;
- performing a set of exercises as recommended by the trainer.
Please note that Labradors, in a fit of curiosity, are able to ignore a deep puddle or mud. The specific structure of their coat allows them to get dirty less than other dogs, but be prepared to do a short bath without shampoo or soap after some walks. Retrievers do not need frequent brushing; once a week or several times during shedding is enough.
