Anda di halaman 1dari 4

How to Build a Chain Link Kennel for Your Dog: The Family Handyman

http://www.familyhandyman.com/garden-structures/fences/how-to-build...

The Family Handyman Books Free Newsletters Free Product Info Promotions

SUBSCRIBE NOW
Give a Gift

find DIY projects, repairs, tips

Digital Edition Customer Care

ROOMS

SKILLS

PARTS OF THE HOUSE

OUTDOORS

COMMUNITY

VIDEOS

MAGAZINE

GO PRO

DIY TIP GENIUS

Home > Outdoors > Garden Structures > Fences > How to Build a Chain Link Kennel for Your Dog

Hello Log in or Join us Save and organize projects in your Project Binder with a FREE Membership! Join today

How to Build a Chain Link Kennel for Your Dog


The best size, fencing, flooring and housing for your dog
Save Print Email Share

Tweet

Gosto

29

57

The Family Handyman

Article

Tools & Materials

Comments (1)

View All

Gosto 81.721

The Family Handyman


Follow these guidelines for building an outdoor dog kennel, including expert advice on kennel size, fencing materials, flooring, the dog house and other topics. Step 1: Plan the size Step 2: Choose fencing materials Step 3: Choose the flooring Step 4: Plan for a doghouse or shading

DIY Tip of the Day: Best Clear Coffee Table Finish. Tables take a lot of abuse, and need to be protected with a durable clear finish. Water-based polyurethane (one of the toughest) has several advantages over oil poly as a natural wood finish. It dries faster, so you can apply more coats in a day; its self-leveling, which reduces brush marks; its nearly odorless; and it cleans up with soap and water.
Plugin social do Facebook

Free OnSite Newsletter Related Videos from Around the Web

... Get timely DIY projects for your home and yard, plus a dream project for your wish list!

Enter email address

Follow Us
How to Set Up a Backyard Bar Design a Small Water Feature Outdoor Fire Pits and Fireplaces Fire a!le

Article

1 de 4

13-12-2013 13:32

How to Build a Chain Link Kennel for Your Dog: The Family Handyman

http://www.familyhandyman.com/garden-structures/fences/how-to-build...

Featured Product

Step 1: Plan the size


For sound guidance and tips for building a first-class dog kennel, we contacted Lisa Peterson, director of communications for the American Kennel Club. She gave us design advice and also mentioned some of the most common mistakes. We were hoping to get a sizing formula. But it turns out there's no such thing. Kennel sizing is based on how much time your dog will be spending in the kennel and how much room you have to spare. If your dog is going to be outside all day, he needs a larger kennel so he can run and exercise. If you make it too small, he'll take every opportunity to get even with you and your neighbors with nonstop barking and other bad behaviors. So larger is better.

Figure A: Outdoor Dog Kennel Outfit your outdoor kennel with the proper flooring and drainage, a shady area and a windbreak. Pick up all the materials at your local home center.

Dog kennel plan

Step 2: Choose fencing materials


For walls and doors, chain link fencing is your best bet (4 ft. tall minimum, and taller if you have a larger dog). It's affordable and easy to assemble, and you can buy premade wall and door sections at any home center. Buy a spring-loaded snap clip to secure the swing-down latch (some dogs can figure out how to open those latches and escape). If your dog is a digger, you'll have to embed a direct burial treated 2x12 below the fence. Or bury the fence itself about 1 ft. into the soil (see Figure A). Those methods aren't foolproof, but they'll usually prevent a great escape. Screen off any sides that face streets or sidewalks by sliding privacy slats through the fencing. That'll cut down on barking and overall stress.

Step 3: Choose the flooring


When it comes to flooring material, concrete may seem like the best choice because you can slope it for drainage and it's easy to clean. But it's actually a mistake. The hard floor will, over time, cause calluses, worn pads, splayed toes and painful joints. Instead, Lisa recommends either large pea gravel (some dogs eat smaller gravel) or large flat stones (flagstone). The irregular shapes actually help your dog develop stronger paws. But before you throw down gravel or set the stones, take the time to install a sand base for drainage at least 6 in. deep if you're building on clay. Then lay down landscaping fabric to prevent weed growth. You'll probably scoop out gravel along with the poop, so it'll need replenishing every year. If you have enough space, the ultimate dog oasis is a grassy area within the kennel. Several companies offer composite flooring materials for dog kennels. It definitely looks better than gravel and is easy to clean. But if your dog likes to chew things, it's not a good choiceunless, of course, your vet does free surgery. Plan on a surfaced path to the kennel. If you just have grass, you'll soon have a muddy path. All that mud will get tracked into the house.

Step 4: Plan for a doghouse or shading


Finally, dogs need protection from the elements. A doghouse isn't mandatory, but if you don't provide one, you should at least install a small roof and a windbreak. Dogs can withstand cold, but not cold and wind or rain. An elevated cot will get them off a freezing cold or searing hot floor. Even if you include a doghouse, provide other shaded areas in the kennel (landscape fabric stretched across the top works well). When placing a doghouse, avoid the common DIY mistake of setting it in a corner (the roof is a perfect launching pad for a jump-over). Instead, locate it outside the kennel with an entrance hole cut through the fence. Or place it in the center of the kennel. If you're stuck with a corner location, make the fence higher in that area to prevent jump-outs.

Back to Top

Tools & Materials

Required Tools for this Project


Have the necessary tools for this DIY project lined up before you startyoull save time and frustration. Tape measure

2 de 4

13-12-2013 13:32

How to Build a Chain Link Kennel for Your Dog: The Family Handyman

http://www.familyhandyman.com/garden-structures/fences/how-to-build...

Circular saw Adjustable wrench Lineman's pliers Level Hacksaw Wheelbarrow Posthole digger Spade You'll also need a shovel and gloves.

Required Materials for this Project


Avoid last-minute shopping trips by having all your materials ready ahead of time. Here's a list. Chain link fencing and gate Privacy slats Concrete Treated 2x12s Sand Pea gravel Landscape fabric Sunscreen and/or dog house

Shopping List
How to Build a Chain Link Kennel for Your Dog - Shopping List Back to Top

Comments

Comments from DIY Community Members


Share what's on your mind and see what other DIYers are thinking about.
1 - 1 of 1 comments Show per page: 20 All Sort by: Newest First Oldest First

+ Add Your Comment


stacey01 November 15, 2:32 PM [GMT -5]

Thanks for the help! My sister can no longer keep her dog, so we told her we would take him in. Before we do anything we have to get a kennel in Edmonton set up for him. I really appreciate the help.

+ Add Your Comment


Back to Top

Similar Projects
Build a Privacy Fence Construct a Custom Fence and Gate How to Renew Wooden Fences Fence Post Repair Replace a Section of Split Rail Fence

3 de 4

13-12-2013 13:32

How to Build a Chain Link Kennel for Your Dog: The Family Handyman

http://www.familyhandyman.com/garden-structures/fences/how-to-build...

About Us

Rooms

Skills

Parts of the House

Outdoors

Videos

Magazine

Contact Us

Su!scri!e " #i$e a #i%t " &d$ertise Wit' Us " (ustomer (are " (ontent Su!mission )eader*s Digest " aste o% Home )ecipes " On 'e House 'e Site +ap 'as a complete listing o% our categories. , -./0 HO+1 S1)23(1 PUB43(& 3O5S6 35(. Use o% t'is we! site constitutes acceptance o% 'e Family Handyman erms o% Use. 7now 8our Pri$acy )ig'ts

4 de 4

13-12-2013 13:32

Anda mungkin juga menyukai