Most people, when they first acquire their new puppy, have every intention of taking him out on several long walks a day and playing with him for hours.  However, the reality of modern life means that many dogs spend rather too long sitting in their dog kennel.  Long working hours and family commitments mean that it is sometimes difficult to squeeze one walk in per day, let alone two.

One way to help reduce your anxiety about your pet is to buy a dog exercise pen.  For many people the purchase of one of these pens is a life saver for them.  They come in three main construction types: chain link, modular and wooden framed.  Though each type has some of its own advantages and disadvantages they all have some things in common.

Firstly, a dog pen can be as large as your outdoor space allows and can, therefore, give him every opportunity to run around and burn off some of that energy that he would usually use on a long walk.  Though do remember that this should in no way replace all walks with his owner.

By rotating a variety of dog toys in the pen you can ensure that he doesn’t get bored and start to bark and whine while you are out.  Make sure that they are of different types with some to chew, others to run around with and one which involves the use of his brain!  By being outside he can also enjoy those extra smells, sounds and sights that he just wouldn’t get if left shut in the house.

Finally, exercise pens for dogs are specially designed to be completely secure and so you won’t need to worry about him running off and getting lost or hurt.  He will also not be able to dig holes or chew the garden furniture!

photo credit: doggybytes

If you are intending to use your dog kennel during winter months then it is vital that you have an insulated dog house.  For dogs to remain comfortable in outdoor dog kennels during cold weather they need to be draft proof, waterproof and warm.   Though heated dog beds can be used to keep your pet snug it is also important to properly insulate.

Buy some insulation felt and plywood and cut both to the correct sizes to fit each wall, the floor and the roof.  After tacking the felt to all surfaces, cover them in the plywood and nail the sheets down firmly so that it is not possible for the dog to scratch them off.  Squeeze some decorators caulk into all the joins to ensure that that no drafts can get in.  For more information on how to insulate a dog kennel use a dog kennel guide.

A modular dog kennel can be re-arranged in different ways, to accommodate different needs you and your pets may have. They are often made out of metal, often with panels that can be added on to increase the size of the kennel or change the shape, or partitions that can be added or taken away.

These type of kennels are very useful if you have more than one dog sharing a living area as you can give each of them a place 'of their own' they can retreat to.  They are also particularly helpful when a female dog is about to whelp.  They provide privacy and a place where she can deliver and keep her pups, and other sections where she can get away from them at times to stretch her legs. They are also helpful when teaching the very young pups to move away from their living and sleeping space to eliminate which is a very important lesson for them as it makes it much easier to housetrain the puppies when they're older.

Another reason for investing in a modular kennel is so you can keep pace with your dog's growth.  Puppies are small but they grow, and some dogs can grow quite big. Rather than investing in a big sized kennel right off the bat, you can instead start off small then add to the kennel as the pup grows.  Dogs like their pens and kennels to be cozy and to offer security. Too big can cause them to become insecure. So, start off small and add to it as needed.

photo credit: MeaganJean

Let's admit it, life in a kennel doesn't seem that exciting. This picture on the left clearly illustrates how I would feel if I had to spend my life behind bars. My name is Nate and I'm the owner of the Dog Kennels Guide (a great blog about everything you would want to know about your Dog's living arrangments).

Although this dog on the left doesn't look that happy, the truth is that a lot of dogs are happy to head to the kennel, but you'll need to make sure that a few things are in place first.

The Kennel Must be Large Enough, but Not Too Large

Many people get worried that there dog isn't going to like being placed in a small area, so they buy a dog kennel that is too big. Dog's actually don't like it if their kennel is too large (it just isn't cozy for them that way). The kennel size should be large enough so the dog can do a complete 360 within it, but not much larger than that.

Make Sure Your Dog Has Exercised

Sure, your dog isn't going to be happy in a cage if he or she hasn't exercised all day. However if you have taken your dog on a walk or run, you might find that she is excited to hop back in the cage for a little rest when it is time.

Clean The Kennel

I'm not saying that you should clean dog kennels more often than you clean your own bedroom, but every month or two you should probably clean out your dog's little home.

Hope you have enjoyed these tips for a happy, kenneled dog.

Having a dog can be somewhat of a chore when you go on vacation. You need to find a good dog kennel to bring him to for the duration of your trip. You have to make sure that the kennel is a clean place that is going to treat your dog right. You don't want him to be too stressed out while you are gone. You may consider bringing him to the kennel for a short period of time before you go so that he has an opportunity to get used to it. Looking for a kennel that also has doggie day care is a big plus. These places typically have a dog run outside that has a place for the dogs to cool off during the summer and a heated place for them to get warm during the winter. If you find this it will be like your dog is on vacation while you are on vacation too!