Build Your Own Dog Run
You can build your own dog run so that your pup has a place to get outdoors and enjoy the weather while they enjoy a little freedom. A well-adjusted dog is a pleasure. A dog run can help you to provide a great lifestyle for your furry friend. Making sure your pup has a place to call their own in the yard serves a couple of different purposes with many benefits for both the dog and the two-legged family members. You can build your own dog run in a few hours. Learn how to build your own dog run and start enjoying all the benefits.
How Can Your Dog Benefit From Having A Designated Space?
You may think that because your dog loves you so much that all they need is to spend time with you indoors. The fact is keeping a dog in the house day in and day out with walk breaks in between actually goes against your dog’s natural instinct. Dogs love being outdoors and a dog run promotes exercise which is vital for your pets physical and emotional health.
Put yourself in your pup’s paws. Imagine if day in and day out you had nothing to do but roam around the house and wait until someone grabbed the leash. How boring that would be. Of course, bored dogs can easily turn into destructive dogs that like to do things like eat shoes, or dig around in the carpet. When you build your own dog run you are taking the steps necessary to give your dog a safe space outdoors where they can get exercise and stimulation that they cannot find by sitting in the house. All the smells and sights outdoors are invigorating for your pet. A dog run can help to keep your pooch stimulated. When you build your own dog run following some simple steps you will encourage your pup to get the exercise that they need which will help to keep them in good health. Next time you need to visit your vet at the animal hospital ask them what they think about having a secure area outdoors made especially for your pup. You will hear all about the benefits of a pup that gets enough exercise. Here are some benefits that your dog will enjoy after you build your own dog run:
- Safety. Turning your dog loose in the yard may seem like a safe way to get them outside, but there are dangers all over the yard that you may not even realize exist. Certain plants are poisonous to dogs. Weed killers and other chemical residues can be a danger to your dog. A dog run can be the safest way to give your dog some freedom.
- If you live in a community with very nearby neighbors you can build your own dog run if you do not want to fence in the entire yard. Your dog will be less of a nuisance to the neighbors if they are able to go outdoors and be contained which can also be safer for your dog.
- It will give them something to look forward to. Most dogs love the idea of being out in the “wild” on their own for a little while. When you build your own dog run you are giving your dog the opportunity to have some freedom.
In the US we love dogs, there are over 89 million pet dogs, and most dog people will do anything to ensure that their fur baby is well adjusted and stays healthy. Taking the time to build your own dog run with an affordable custom fence is an easy way to make sure you are doing all you can to keep your pup on the right track both physically and emotionally.
Benefits for The Two Legged Residents
Making the decision to build your own dog run by erecting a fence in the yard is not only a good idea for your dog but it is a good idea for the humans that share the space. A dog run is a great way to designate an area away from play spaces for the children and the garden for your dog. A dog run ( dog kennel) ensures that your pup has free reign in that designated space and you can worry less about them getting injured in the yard. Your gardens will stay safe from a dog that likes to dig, and you can worry less about yard art and furnishings. You do not have to get too fancy when you build your own dog run, it just takes some basic materials and maybe some exterior lighting if you want to ensure that your put can use the run in the evenings. Giving your dog a place of their own in the yard is good for everyone in the family, and for your property. There is nothing better than knowing you are doing everything in your power to keep your pup safe and out of harm’s way. Of course, it is also nice when you and your dog can live in harmony. It is a great feeling knowing that you can open the door take your dog outside and not have to worry that they are in any type of danger and that your property is not getting destroyed. It makes for a much happier home for everyone.
How To Build Your Own Dog Run
The Humane Society has some recommendations to help you build your own dog run. The first step to build your own dog run is to decide where you want it to be in the yard. Choosing the location is an important step. Look for spots in the yard that are naturally shaded and that will be easy to clear. You may want to consider contacting a company that offers lawn spraying services that include weed and grass removal. Starting with a dirt base can be best. Once you have your location picked out it is time to get started preparing the space. You can get all the supplies you need from a fence company. The Humane Society recommends that you make the run longer than it is wider to encourage exercise. The experts say 10 feet long by 3 feet wide is the ideal size for a medium to large-sized dog. Pick your ground cover. Let’s face facts grass is not going to survive in the dog run but there are some ground covers that work great including:
- Pine and Cyprus mulch. Before you use Pine or Cyprus mulch you may want to have your dog tested for allergies to these materials.
- Sand. Sand can be a good option which typically is allergen-free but may not be the best option if you live in a very hot climate where the sand can heat up.
- Artificial turf. If you are committed to having a uniform backyard and want to keep everything looking green artificial turf can be a great solution. It is easy to clean and looks a lot like the real thing.
When you build your own dog run, keep in mind that you will need a ground cover that you can easily keep clean whether by raking it or hosing it off. It is strongly suggested that you do not leave the ground uncovered because viruses, parasites, and other unwanted risks can easily develop in uncovered dirt. You can do what a lot of property maintenance companies do for community dog parks. They use a layer of pea gravel that is about two inches thick then cover it up with rubber mulch. The pea gravel ensures drainage while the rubber mulch is good for the paws. Once you have your space picked out, and your ground cover picked out it is time to order your fencing supplies. Depending on the size of your dog, you can choose between a three-foot, four foot, or even a six-foot fence. How high you go with the fence depends on how high your dog can jump, and whether they are diggers or not. Obviously, the bigger the dog the higher the fence.
Gather Your Supplies
It is best to order all the supplies that you are going to need click that garage door opener and store everything until the day you are ready to get started. Having all the supplies in one place will ensure that you can get the job done quickly. When you order the supplies to build your own dog run consider that your dog will need a place to get out of the heat. Order materials so that you can build a shelter on top of the run, if you think that may be more building than you want to commit to, then consider ordering a dog house that can be placed inside the dog run. Make sure you do not forget to order water supplies for the dog run. Investing in an automatic waterer will ensure your pup always has a supply of fresh clean water while they are outdoors. Some other supplies that you should order at the same time are:
- Quikrete Cement to secure the fence posts.
- A post hole digger if you do not have one.
- Cement pavers for the exterior of the fence if you have a digger.
Make a checklist of the materials that you will need to build your own dog run before you get started to ensure that you have everything that you will need on hand. There is nothing worse than having to stop a project because you do not have the supplies you need.
Get To Work
You have all your supplies, picked your spot, now the only thing left to do is get the project underway. Here are the steps to build your own dog run:
- Step1. Rake the space and tamp down the ground using a tamper. Once you have a flat surface get out your tape measure and decide where the fence posts will go and mark each spot with landscaping marking paint.
- Step 2. You can hand dig the post holes or you can use a post digger. Cementing in the posts will ensure that they are sturdy.
- Step 3. Stretch the fencing material across the posts. If your dog is a digger, consider sinking the fencing material below the dirt line by digging a trench that is three or four inches deep and placing the fencing in the trench as you stretch it from post to post.
- Step 4. Spread the ground cover, place the shelter, and add the water supplies, and you are done.
The hardest part when you build your own dog run is digging the post holes. Everything else is a breeze. This is a one day project. If you have some help you can probably get it done in less than a day.
Add On Options
You can keep it really simple when you build your own dog run or you can add some custom touches. For example, creating a “patio space” for your dog in the dog run can make their dog run feel more like a true doggy backyard. All you need are some pavers to create a hard surface space for your pup within the run. We hit on the idea of exterior lighting for the dog run. Exterior lighting can be a great way to provide light for your pup and to dress up space. Solar lights are readily available which means you do not have to worry about running electricity to the area. A simple roof can be added to the dog run to ensure your pup enjoys a cooler shady location while they are in their run. There are plenty of ways to customize the dog run to make it more hospitable for your pup and to add some designer touches to the yard. A good rule of thumb to follow when you are considering add on’s is to choose materials that are durable and easy to clean. Remember, this is going to be your dog’s home away from home outdoors and it is likely to get pretty messy. A dog run will be a great addition to your yard for both you and your fur baby. You can build your own dog run and help your dog to have a lifestyle they feel great about.
