Kenneling dogs

[Holden]

Hi everyone

I have just joined, I want to ask a specific question but I have had a wee look around and it seems nice here so I will probably stick around

I live in Scotland, and I have two dogs. They are currently house dogs, but I will need to start kenneling them in the garden. If I am honest, it isn't something I would usually choose to do, but the more I read and think about it, the more I like the idea. I think one of the dogs in particular will enjoy being outside... he spends most of the time out there anyway! I am on other forums where a large proportion of the members are against kenneling, so I won't post this on there because I don't think I would get much help... I found this forum through googling about kenneling and found an old thread, and it appears from that that the feeling about kenneling dogs on here is much more positive.

I have been trying to read up on the best way to do this, but if anyone else has any tips/advice, it would be much appreciated.

I want to introduce them gradually to the kennel, first by feeding them in there then I will put them in there after a walk, and gradually increase the time. They will stay in the kitchen at night for the first wee while but will spend all day outside. Does this sound ok? Any other tips for getting them used to a kennel?

I haven't got a kennel yet, but I am planning on getting one that will be roughly 10 x 10. I will have two kennels at 4 x 5 each and then the run will be 6 x 10.

I work in the evening so I am home all day, and my parents are home when I am at work. My plan just now is that they will be walked in the morning for 1.5 hours (sometimes longer depending on what walk I take them on) and then in the afternoon they will either get another walk between 30 - 60 minutes, or they will get a half hour training session. Then at night they will get a 20 minute road walk once I finish work. I also plan on cleaning out the garage so I have a place where we can go for a play when it is raining (very common for Scotland ). We will also have random play sessions throughout the day. I think they will be ok with this, because it is actually slightly more than they get just now but I will make that extra effort when they are outside. I will also leave the door of the run open when I am in, so they also have the run of the garden.

My other worry is making sure it is warm enough. I am going to get the kennel insulated, and get them raised beds. I will put sawdust on the ground too. Now, I'm not sure what to use as their beds. I currently use duvets but I was told they aren't good because they hold dampness and something like vetbed is better. However, I have read quite a few things where people use duvets for the dogs in the winter... so, what do you guys think is better?

One of the things that worries me, is barking... now, currently neither of the dogs are 'barkers', they just occasionally bark if they hear someone at the door etc, but I have read that many dogs become barkers once they are kenneled. Are there any tips to prevent this, and if it does happen, how can I solve the issue? I have neighbours nearby so I cannot have the dogs barking constantly.

I am sorry for such a long post for my first thread

 

[MurphysMinder]

I have had dogs kennelled in the past, but my current 2 are mainly house dogs, i.e. they are in the house/garden with me when I am at home, but kennelled when I am at work.
A lot depends on the breed as to how they will adapt to being outside, and whether your kennel area is big enough. I certainly don't have a problem with dogs being kennelled, some are definitely happier outside. I get the impression that yours are currently house dogs, so it may take them a little while to get used to being outside, but it sounds like you are planning on doing it sensibly. I would be concerned you might have problems with them barking, if they bark now when people are at the door they might become noisier when the whole garden becomes their "territory". The only thing you can do is make sure you correct them when you are at home, and hopefully they realise they don't have to look after the whole area.
As to bedding, I would agree duvets aren't ideal as they can get very damp. When I have had dogs living outside they have always had a separate night kennel, so they can be dried off before being put to bed. Vet beds are great because any damp soaks through, straw is also good for warmth but would need changing regularly as it too becomes damp.

 

[CorvusCorax]

We've always kennelled our dogs and it hasn't managed to kill any of them yet - what breed are they? I prefer my dogs are out during the day, looking at their surroundings.
They bark when someone comes in the yard but I prefer that to them not doing it.

We use vetbeds too, or just rubber matting (cow mats or similar).

 

[Holden]

Thank you both for your replies

I have had dogs kennelled in the past, but my current 2 are mainly house dogs, i.e. they are in the house/garden with me when I am at home, but kennelled when I am at work.
A lot depends on the breed as to how they will adapt to being outside, and whether your kennel area is big enough.

One is a Border Collie and one is a Border Collie cross something else . I am confident that the BC will adjust relatively quickly, and he enjoys being outside. He spends a lot of time out there anyway, and he will sit out there is all weather (I must look like such a bad owner when he is out there is the battering rain, but he does have the option to come in, he just chooses not to ). I am not so sure about my other dog though, I am sure he will adjust but I expect it to take longer.

The total area of the kennel will be 10ft by 10ft. I am happy for them to be left in that size of kennel and run for short periods, but I will let them also have the run of the garden when I am in so they have even more space. I was worried to begin with, over the space but I keep comparing it to the space they are left in in the house, and so I am not longer worried about that Also, when I take them out for their morning walk, they will sleep for a while afterwards (they are currently doing that just now ) so I am sure my daily plan will work out so they are getting enough time spent with me.

I certainly don't have a problem with dogs being kennelled, some are definitely happier outside. I get the impression that yours are currently house dogs, so it may take them a little while to get used to being outside, but it sounds like you are planning on doing it sensibly. I would be concerned you might have problems with them barking, if they bark now when people are at the door they might become noisier when the whole garden becomes their "territory". The only thing you can do is make sure you correct them when you are at home, and hopefully they realise they don't have to look after the whole area.

Yeah, now I am feeling much better about them adapting and being warm etc, my worry now is barking... They don't bark often, and if my neighbours are in their garden, they don't bark... unless someone they don't know is visiting. I do have neighbours close by so don't want them barking, but in general, it is a quiet area so I am hoping the opportunities to bark aren't a lot and that they soon get fed up of barking... I hope

As to bedding, I would agree duvets aren't ideal as they can get very damp. When I have had dogs living outside they have always had a separate night kennel, so they can be dried off before being put to bed. Vet beds are great because any damp soaks through, straw is also good for warmth but would need changing regularly as it too becomes damp.

Oh, that is great thanks... I will leave the duvets out of the kennel then, and get them some vet bed

We've always kennelled our dogs and it hasn't managed to kill any of them yet - what breed are they? I prefer my dogs are out during the day, looking at their surroundings.
They bark when someone comes in the yard but I prefer that to them not doing it.

We use vetbeds too, or just rubber matting (cow mats or similar).

They are a Border Collie and a Border Collie cross. The BC loves being outside, and my BC x enjoys being outside when I am there... otherwise, he usually just snoozes in his bed, or under my bed. He doesn't have the need to always be with me though, so I don't expect that to be an issue with him.

I don't mind barking when someone comes in, I just don't want it to be excessive. I actually want them to bark when someone comes in because another thing is theft of them, so two barking dogs will hopefully deter people especially when they will be alerting everyone to the threat. I will be taking lots of security measures though.