alexl Posted June 27, 2014 Report Share Posted June 27, 2014 I'm after some advice on kennelling for my dogs. I have three dogs in total, one will be staying indoors, and ill be looking to kennel two (currently pups) in the future. I'm a little reluctant to put up an outdoor run/kennel for them for several reasons, my main concern is security while I'm out of the house. I have a garage that im not using at the moment so am looking at putting up pens in there to house two dogs while we're out at work 8-10 hours a day. The area is approximately 2.5m x 4.5m (8x15 feet) I intend to separate the area into two sections, as the dogs are bitches, and I'm uncomfortable leaving two bitches in the same enclosure unsupervised for any period of time even if they appear to get on. The garage has two windows but neither offer any 'view' from them outside as they look out on a passageway between buildings, but it is warm and dry, and most importantly can be made secure. Does this sound like a suitable solution? I will exercise each before I leave for work each morning, and they will be let out and allowed into the house with free run of the garden upon our return from work. They'll also get some evening training and exercise after work. I can arrange for a dog walker to come in at least once a day, at a minimum to let them out for a quick run, but maybe to give a walk (possibly one morning and one just after lunch if needed, ideally one walk each as I want them to spend some time socialising apart). Does anyone have any experience of indoor dog kennels, is it too isolated for them? and does the size and setup sound suitable? Dogs in question are Labradors Any advice would be gratefully received Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jayDT10 Posted June 28, 2014 Report Share Posted June 28, 2014 Personally I've never liked the idea of inside kennels, I like to give my dogs the option to lay in the sun or find shade in their kennel/run. Also you can make a good kennel just as secure as a garage . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lurchers Posted June 29, 2014 Report Share Posted June 29, 2014 Great idea mate theres nothing wrong with what you are suggesting.you have a big enough area to put a block of kennels in there no problem.ive always wanted a garage but i would only do with it what you are mate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted June 29, 2014 Report Share Posted June 29, 2014 So in winter your dogs wont see or be exposed to and natural daylight? Sounds fine until you put 8-10 hrs so if you did get that person in and they did as they were meant to and walked the dogs on lead around lunch etc. still sounds ok, thing is some dog walkers do some don't. Labs as a breed are good kennel dogs but its easy to push them a bit to far and take unfair advantage of that fact, I often need think on myself Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jayDT10 Posted June 29, 2014 Report Share Posted June 29, 2014 Great idea mate theres nothing wrong with what you are suggesting.you have a big enough area to put a block of kennels in there no problem.ive always wanted a garage but i would only do with it what you are mate. it's not a great idea , it's a solution for not bothering to build good dog kennels . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SEshooter Posted June 29, 2014 Report Share Posted June 29, 2014 A mate of mine does similar with his dogs. He has an old porta cabin, around 30ftx10ft. one end he has cut a large square out of the wall and replaced it with a heavy steel mesh. There are also 2 windows so it's nice and bright. They can see out over his garden though the mesh and they get a nice breeze aswell.The dogs are more than happy in there during the day while he is at work. They get a good hours walk befor he leaves in the morning no matter what the weather and they are out again when he is home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lurchers Posted July 1, 2014 Report Share Posted July 1, 2014 it's not a great idea , it's a solution for not bothering to build good dog kennels . What ever floats your boat lad.i build sheds and kennels to how people want them but like i said i would love a garage for the same reason.and what a good setup you can have to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jayDT10 Posted July 1, 2014 Report Share Posted July 1, 2014 What ever floats your boat lad.i build sheds and kennels to how people want them but like i said i would love a garage for the same reason.and what a good setup you can have to. I've got a garage and good dog kennels so I'm all sorted thanks. Lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted July 2, 2014 Report Share Posted July 2, 2014 What ever floats your boat lad.i build sheds and kennels to how people want them but like i said i would love a garage for the same reason.and what a good setup you can have to. I never design anything for anyone if I don't think its a workable solution, it can only come back to haunt you. The downright stupid things clients have requested me to do over the years could fill a book, the most common undersize doors and walkways! Sometimes people need protecting from themselves and frankly they soon forget the fact you told them it wasn't such a great idea, I have even in the past wrote such matters on contracts and got them to sign separately for it and they still come back to you on it So I don't now period. Some indoor kennels might be workable but I suggest not those were the dogs are left for long periods without natural light etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickB65 Posted July 3, 2014 Report Share Posted July 3, 2014 For me it is not ideal - limited sun light and lack of view is no that great... I mean would you like to be stuck in there for that length of time? A dog run and kennels can be made secure and for me a much better option. We do not know what it is like where you live and if there has been issues with dogs being stolen but from what you have said I would go for the dog run....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexl Posted July 3, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 3, 2014 Looks like ill have to review some other options. I trust my dog walker to come, but ill have to consider options for if she goes on holiday or is unable to visit for any reason. Security wise I've not heard of any thefts locally to me but know its a bit of a problem in parts of Essex, and am a little worried as my garden can be easily accessed. I think ill have to just beef up the rest of the security around the garden and keep the kennel hidden from the road. Been looking around at ready to go kennel kits on the internet, what experience do people have of these, any recommendations for strong reputable suppliers? or am I better off building my own? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jayDT10 Posted July 3, 2014 Report Share Posted July 3, 2014 Looks like ill have to review some other options. I trust my dog walker to come, but ill have to consider options for if she goes on holiday or is unable to visit for any reason. Security wise I've not heard of any thefts locally to me but know its a bit of a problem in parts of Essex, and am a little worried as my garden can be easily accessed. I think ill have to just beef up the rest of the security around the garden and keep the kennel hidden from the road. Been looking around at ready to go kennel kits on the internet, what experience do people have of these, any recommendations for strong reputable suppliers? or am I better off building my own? I would personally build the best you can afford , I built mine out of blocks on a concrete slab thickened up round the edges with a soak away underneath leading to strip drains across the front . I bought a kennel front off ebay which can take padlocks . A single dog kennel cost me about £300-£400 in materials and took me a few weekends to build . I believe a good living environment will get you the best out of your dogs for longer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted July 8, 2014 Report Share Posted July 8, 2014 Why not still use you garage but put a run on the outside the dogs can access from the garage pens. Only takes a couple of small dog doors in the brickwork. That way during the night you can lock them indoors and open the doors to outside every morning. Figgy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexl Posted July 8, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 8, 2014 Why not still use you garage but put a run on the outside the dogs can access from the garage pens. Only takes a couple of small dog doors in the brickwork. That way during the night you can lock them indoors and open the doors to outside every morning. Figgy Unfortunately because of the layout I cant have runs on the garage, would have been ideal but nt to be. Im going to have an old asbestos shed taken down from the corner of the garden and build some breeze block kennels there i think, im quite happy with the position its tucked out of the way, so cant be easily seen unless someone comes into the garden, and hopefully should prevent any nuisance barking. Anyone got any pics of breeze block/brick kennel setups? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lurchers Posted July 14, 2014 Report Share Posted July 14, 2014 I never design anything for anyone if I don't think its a workable solution, it can only come back to haunt you. The downright stupid things clients have requested me to do over the years could fill a book, the most common undersize doors and walkways! Sometimes people need protecting from themselves and frankly they soon forget the fact you told them it wasn't such a great idea, I have even in the past wrote such matters on contracts and got them to sign separately for it and they still come back to you on it So I don't now period. Some indoor kennels might be workable but I suggest not those were the dogs are left for long periods without natural light etc. I only make sugestions for customers if i dont think that will work.but like the lad says they will be took for a walk so they will still get some sunlight untul he gets in from work.but if they are left for far to long then dont get dogs until you can fit them in easily to your lifestyle so it will be fair on them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted July 14, 2014 Report Share Posted July 14, 2014 I only make sugestions for customers if i dont think that will work.but like the lad says they will be took for a walk so they will still get some sunlight untul he gets in from work.but if they are left for far to long then dont get dogs until you can fit them in easily to your lifestyle so it will be fair on them. Did you mean to say "if you don't think their ideas will work"? If you do anything for a client even if you have proof you told them so don't go to court on it you will mostly loose, if that sounds daft it is but quite true I promise you (comes under fit for purpose) a client cannot opt out of his rights etc. Do you build kennels? I am just starting with my own new company although have lots of design and fabrication experience, looking to do some nice looking / secure yet low maintenance types and one offs. There seems to be a lot of rubbish done for profit and price alone, I bought one that was supposed to be the best and frankly I don't rate it very much more than the rest and there was way too much margin in it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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