What is the best dog run flooring you can use?  I get asked this question constantly, and it seems there are as many theories on what is the best flooring to use as there are types available.  Having been a dog owner for about thirty years, I have had a bit of experience with this and I’m more than happy to add my two cents to the info-mix that’s available online when it comes to the dog kennel and run.

First of all, unless you live in the Sahara or someplace like it, letting your dog run for extended periods on grass or dirt is a big mistake. If you let your dog run on grass the grass will wear down and you’ll soon be left with what I like to call big bald spots of dirt.  Add some rain to that, and you’ll soon be trekking mud into the kennel, or if your dog comes inside sometimes, into your house.  Dog pee also kills grass, resulting in bald spots in the grass or dirt-plus-rain equals mud! So, no, I don’t recommend a grass run.

I’ve seen pea gravel used for a run quite successfully.  It’s nice for the dogs to run on, and it’s fairly easy to keep clean. You have to scoop up the poops of course, but the dog’s urine goes straight through and doesn’t stain.  You can clean the gravel fairly easily by spraying once a week with a fairly strong Clorox solution. That seems to keep it clean and eliminates any odor.

One caution with using gravel, pups will eat it so it’s not recommended for a run where you have pups.  If they ingest it, it can kill them.
Also, know your dog. Some dogs, even full grown dogs, will eat the pea gravel. Maybe they think it looks like dry dog food? I don’t know. But before you invest time and money into laying out a pea gravel run you’d better make sure that your dog doesn’t eat it.

My favorite, and what I consider the best dog run flooring, is to lay a concrete dog run. Concrete is porous and it soaks up the dog urine which isn’t good as that leaves a bad smell.  But it is easy to clean–just spray it off, disinfect it or spray it with bleach.

If you are prepared to invest a little more there are very good sealants available that make it easy to seal and clean your dog kennel and run floor.

Some people are concerned that a concrete run is uncomfortable for the dog to run on, or lay on, especially if it’s spending a good deal of time there.  One very simple solution to that is to buy Equine mats to lay down for some of the run. These are comfortable for the dog and provide some relief from the concrete.

Another alternative which some people have found useful is to use high density plastic flooring.  It’s definitely durable and lightweight, and the installation is a breeze but it may not be sturdy enough for your run. Again, you’d have to know your dog.  Plastic is enticing to many dog breeds. They delight in chewing it, grabbing it and running the length of the yard (or run) with it in their teeth. For example, I wouldn’t recommend it for a Retriever.

Overall my recommendation would  be to cement and seal first of all, or to use gravel.  If your dog is going to spend a fair portion of each day in the dog kennel and run you owe it to him to make it as comfortable as you can. By the same token, if you’re the one doing the cleaning you owe it to yourself to make it as easy to do as you can.

That’s why I suggest cement, plus treatment for your dog kennel and run flooring. You can’t really go wrong with that.

What Dog Kennel and Run Should You Buy?

So, you’ve decided to go ahead and buy a dog kennel and run, but you’re not sure what type to buy?  In the next couple of posts I’m going to outline some specifics on the different kennel types that are available for purchasing.  Hopefully it will give you a general idea of what is available and the pro’s and con’s of each type of kennel.

Please remember, though, this will be a fairly general description. There are many, many actual brands of dog kennels on the market right now, and what is available varies enormously depending on where you live.  Once have have a general idea of what type of dog kennel and run you’re after, then you can look at actual online sites, or visit your local pet shop or B&Q or whatever store would be likely to sell them, and see for yourself what is available and within your price range.

Basic Puppy Exercise Pen

This is not to be used as a long-term containment for your puppy, but it is a more temporary setup. Usually it’s made out of wire panels hinged together. It is easy to collapse (and store and transport.)  Perfect for putting your pup outdoors for a while for some fresh air, it is large enough for the dog to walk around in. Some of these even come with additional panels that can be added on to enlarge the contained space which is perfect if you have a few pups you want to put in it.

These are collapsible, easy to store and transport.

They are usually opened at the top, so don’t give your pup much shelter from the sun, or rain.  They are great though for those times when you want to pop your puppy outdoors and can’t keep an eye on him fulltime.

Fully Enclosed Puppy Pen

Similar to the exercise pen, the fully enclosed pen is made of metal, hinged together. It is suitable for outdoor use, though again there’s no protection from sun or rain.  It is fully enclosed, and offers your pup more safety. There’s no way the puppies can escape, nor can any other animals get inside the pen.  Not for permanent use, but a good alternative for those times when you need to keep puppy enclosed and safe and you don’t have a dog kennel and run.

The All Weather Dog Run

Again, made from galvenised metal, this often comes with a roof made from polyester coated metal sheeting. This is suitable for more long term habitation.  The sides are still open though, and rain could easily get inside the pen.  It also offers no insulation from cold or the sun, so it’s not really a permanent dwelling but you can safely leave your dog in there for longer periods of time.  You don’t have to attach the roofing to it, and if you don’t it can be moved around. If you choose to have the roof included though it is recommended that you fix it to the ground.

Mesh Dog Runs

Made from galvanized chain the mesh dog runs can be free standing, thus they are also fairly  mobile and can be easily moved around. Mesh runs are more secure and safe for your dog than the other metal runs with the bars running down vertically.  These mesh runs come in different sizes for different breeds of dogs, and can also be fitted out with a kennel cover although these are usually sold separately, so be sure to get the price for both items if you look into this type of dog kennel and run.  Mesh runs in general are more expensive than the other simpler type of dog runs.

In my next post I’ll look at some different options for the dog kennel and run.

What Size?
Dog kennel and runs should fit the dog’s breed, size, and personality. Bigger, more active dogs need larger spaces and thus big kennels and runs are needed. Also, bigger and stronger dogs need a more solid, sturdy, and long lasting kennel and run as otherwise you may find that they are able to escape by destroying the kennel and run. Dogs can also jump high, often as high as four feet, so their kennel should have high enough fences to impede the dog from jumping over it and escaping.

What Material?
When buying a kennel and run, you will encounter various kinds of makes and it can be confusing deciding on the right one for your dog. Kennels can be made of chain link, wire, and there are plastic fences available also. Take into consideration the size and strength of the dog, and make sure it can’t slip through the wire.  Plastic is not always the best choice, unless it’s very hard plastic and your dog is not a chewer. Plastic is better, usually, for the smaller breeds of dog.

Do you Need Roofing?
Kennel and runs meant for outdoors most likely need a roof as well. This is to protect the dog from rain, snow, or direct sunlight. The main thing to consider when buying a kennel is the welfare of the dog. If the dog is house trained and is not rowdy at all there probably is no need for a full scale kennel and run–you may be better off buying a mobile mesh dog pen (some also come with detachable roofing.)  But if a dogs need to be kept in check and needs a place of his own because you don’t want to leave them in the house when you’re working, or you don’t feel comfortable giving them free rein in the yard when you’re not there, then a dog kennel and run is a good choice.

Why the Dog Kennel and Run is Preferable Over Chaining a Dog Up
The dog kennel and run has many uses beside being a place to physically restrain your dog. It can serve as the dog’s resting place as well as a playpen. Tethers or chains often break, or rust over time, allowing your pet to escape and run around unchecked. A kennel keeps your pet safe from the elements both night and day, and protects him from other animals that may put him in peril.

There are two main reasons for insulating a dog kennel and run, one is to keep the heat in and the cold out, the other is to keep the heat out and to shade and protect your dog from excessive sun and heat.

One of the first things to look into when positioning your kennel is to make sure that it’s not located where it is in direct sunlight for the entire day. It’s great if your kennel can move, as that way you can position it to catch the sun during winter, and then remove it to a nice shady, breezy location during the hot summer months. During winter, position it also so that it is sheltered from any winds or where snow could blow in through the door.

Materials that can be used for insulation: Just as in insulating your home, there are several options for insulating your dog kennel and run. You can base your decisions on what is the most cost effective, easy to purchase, or what you are comfortable working with.

One of the more common materials used for insulating is fiberglass sheets. Fiberglass is an irritant if it comes in contact with your skin, and it can also irritate your dog’s eyes or exposed areas of skin, so you may or may not want to use this for the kennel, particularly if your dog is likely a “chewer”.

Other materials that can be used for insulation include cork board, other soft fibrous boards. In most cases, as with the fiberglass sheets, you will want to cover the insulation material with a second lining of hardboard or gypsum board. Although it is an extra step to line the kennel, it is needed to protect the dog from chewing on the insulation material and it adds yet another layer which also provides additional insulation.

Asbestos has been used for insulation, but that is not recommended for insulating a dog kennel and run.

If you would prefer, you could also consider adding external insulation. The advantage of this is that it doesn’t require re-building, or re-modeling, and it can be done pretty quickly and cheaply. Items that can be used for external insulation include foiled tar paper, or external insulation with pre-colored plaster. If you are interested in external insulation, it would be best for you to check out your local building supply store to see what’s available and cheap, in your area.

It is possible to purchase a kennel complete with insulation too, though these are often quite a bit more expensive than the non-insulated pre-built dog kennel and run.

If you are planning on installing a heater in your dog kennel it is essential to first insulate the kennel. Otherwise you will lose a lot of heat, and the heater will be far less effective.

Other pointers to consider:

• If insulating to keep the heat in, paint your kennel with a dark color, or use dark wood or paneling for the outside.
• If insulating to keep the heat out, paint your kennel with a light colored paint.
• Don’t use lead based paint for painting your kennel, it could poison your dog if he ingested it accidentally.
• Position your dog house so the wind and rain or snow can’t enter.
• Don’t make the door to the kennel too big, just make it big enough for the dog to get through. This will also help in insulating the kennel.
• Build a floor into the kennel to help keep it insulated and to keep your dog up off the cold or damp ground.

Above all, when deciding on your flooring, remember that the main thing–especially if your dog is going to be spending large amounts of time in the kennel, is to make sure it’s comfortable and hygienic.  It also should be easy to keep clean.

Having the kennel and run set directly on the grass, or other outdoor surface: This is sometimes your only option if you have a movable wire pen or kennel.  I wouldn’t recommend it as being the best though, for a number of options.  If the kennel is sitting on grass it’s fairly easy for your dog, especially if he’s a digger, to simply dig himself out underneath the pen.  There’s also problems with tearing up the grass or running it down if your dog spends a long time in the run.  Also, for sleeping, it’s best if there’s some type of raised platform for the dog to lay down on in his kennel.

Concrete flooring for both the dog kennel and run, or just for the kennel: This is also a very popular option, one which I think I have used the most often.  It’s very easy to hose off a cement run and to see if there’s any messes on it.  It can be cold to sleep on though, and is actually quite porous unless sealed properly.  Sealing an entire run sufficiently is a problem. Most of us have probably faced peeling paint, or have had the pen floor become smelly and stained.  There are some very good sealants available these days, though, and a little searching on line should show you some possibilities for sealing the cement run.

If you use a cement floor for your dog kennel, be sure to include something nice and soft for your dog to lay down on inside the kennel.

One con with using cement is that it’s rather permanent. So if you like to move your dog kennel and run around that may not be the best thing to use.

Wooden flooring: I haven’t had a lot of experience with wooden flooring. It’s fine for a kennel but I can’t imagine using it for an entire run. It would get very scratched and it also absorbs smells and stains.  Also, if your dog is a chewer (mine is) then I’d recommend that you stay away from using wood even for a kennel.  My retriever systematically chewed the edges of her kennel till it looked horrible and I had to replace it!

Instant kennel flooring:  Another option you may be interested in as flooring for your dog kennel and run is instant kennel flooring.  It’s fairly reasonably priced, easy to install and it’s portable which is nice if you move your pen around. I looked at one recently, a nice woven design that was water and sun resistant. It’s porous, so liquid goes straight through and easy to clean–just hose it off like you would a cement floor.

There are probably more options for your dog kennel and run flooring such as gravel, wood chips etc. and if you look around a bit you’re sure to find what you’re looking for.

Here is a list of what to consider beginning with the most important option first:

• Make sure the dog kennel and run is the right size, and is big enough for your dog.
• Ensure that it is weatherproof. If parts are made of metal, be sure that they’re rust proofed–including the wire fencing, and any metal used to attach the kennel together.  Rusted metal is dangerous for dogs and poorly secured kennels can lead to escaped dogs.
• If you are in an area where there is harsh or extreme temperatures, your kennel will need to be insulated.
• Look at the design in regards to ease of cleaning.  Smaller dog kennels often have detachable walls so that you can clean them more easily.
• Is the sleeping section raised up from the ground slightly?
• How secure is it, and will your dog be safe from predators or other animals?
• Is there enough room for your dog to get sufficient exercise. Runs should ideally be 20 to 30 feet long, and 10 to 20 feet wide. Less than this and your dog may not be getting enough exercise.  If you run or walk your dog every day this could be shortened.

What material should your kennel and run be made from?
A variety of material is used for building the your kennel and run.  Many kennels are made from wood. If you are able to afford it, its best if your kennel is made from the best wood, preferably timber that is pressure treated so that it doesn’t require any other additional treatment. Kennels can also be made from plastic or wire mesh.  Wood is the best, as it gives better protection from changing temperature and weather.
Some dogs have been known to chew on their kennels, so if your dog is a ‘chewer’ you may want to choose a harder material, or add anti chew strips to your kennel.

Runs are usually made from heavy duty mesh that is attached to the kennel.  Runs can be cemented, but they can be difficult to keep in good condition, as paint peels and they’re hard to clean up after. If you are going to cement the floor you may want to look into investing in a good sealant for your floor.

No matter what you decide, your goal should be to have a dog kennel and run that can withstand the elements, is safe enough and big enough for your dog to feel secure and safe, prevent strangers or other animals entering in, and keeps your dog from escaping. Whether you decide to try and build it yourself, or you are buying a pre-made one, this should be your ultimate goal.