The Dog Kennel
Many dogs can tend to be a little particular when it comes to what people they are comfortable with. When this is the case traveling can present a problem. Whether you are planning several weeks of vacation or your job requires you to be away for a few days, dog kennels will probably be on your radar as an alternative to leaving your pet in the care of a neighbor or friend.
There are two distinctly different types of dog kennels. There are the traditional facilities where you drop off the dog then pick it up when you return. There are also portable dog kennels. These range in complexity and price and can be a great solution for those who can not afford the traditional dog day care or simply can not bare to be away from their beloved pet for long periods of time.
Traditional pet kennels can be quite expensive, some as much as one hundred dollars a day. These can be quite nice though, providing individual rooms for each dog, excellent meals, walks, play time, and other interesting forms of entertainment and exercise. These traditional kennels are staffed and equipped to care for your dog for up to several weeks at a time. When looking for one of these traditional kennels keep in mind that are not all created equal. Check the number of staff per number of residents ratio. Physically inspect the facility and be sure they carry some kind of guarantee. One of the risks of housing so many dogs in one building is that sickness can be spread. Kennel cough, which is simply a common cold for dogs, has been known to sweep through kennels at a rapid pace infecting many dogs in a short period of time.
Portable dog kennels have been around for some time. The first versions were simply a length of low cut chain link fence and a few stakes. These seemed convenient however, set up was quite difficult if not impossible. Now there are several types on the market that come in kits. The typical kit would consist of a frame around which you stretch the fencing. This can be quite difficult as well, especially if you are going it alone. Also, don’t be swayed by the term chain link which tends to bring to mind thick rings of steel. The fencing that comes with these kits is quite soft in order to accommodate stretching it around the frame. Bigger dogs and the more aggressive types can either chew right through it or knock it down easily.
The other type of portable dog kennels can be purchased in the form of modules. These modules are very convenient as well as an improvement on the other versions because they come in completed sections. If you need more room you simply attach more modules together. Construction, tear down and moving the modular dog kennel is very easy since all that is required is fastening or unfastening the modules. The modules can be purchased in different strengths as well. Strengths are measured in chain gauges. A small dog will do fine in an eight gauge kennel while eleven gauge kennels are better for bigger dogs. The smaller the gauge the stronger the fencing.
Be sure to check with a community official or law enforcement agency first because there may be restrictions on the type and size of dog kennels allowed on your property. The same goes if you are traveling and need to put your kennel up on someone elses property.
Subscribe in a Reader