Building A Dog Kennel - Self Assembling

Building the Dog Kennel
There are two ways to go about building your own outside dog kennel. The easier of these two ways to build a dog kennel is to purchase a dog kennel kit. This kind of kit has all of the pieces in one place and requires fewer tools to put together. A single individual can usually build a dog kennel kit alone, sometimes in as little as a couple of hours. Building a kennel from scratch requires a team with a minimum of two or three people to complete, if not more. Even with a larger number of people, the "scratch" method may take a weekend or more to complete, depending the plans that were purchased to complete it.

Using a Kit
Using a dog kennel kit, the dog owner will need to clear and level a place for the kennel. If not using kennel flooring, then layers of gravel and sand or fine pebbles should be put into place to provide drainage when it rains and to provide adequate footing. Once the sides of the kennel are in place, the dog owner can put up a dog kennel cover. This treated canvas sheet attaches at several points on all sides of the kennel and is intended to provide relief from the sun. It is not a kennel roof and should not be expected to provide protection from the elements.

Building a Kennel from Scratch
The second method is more involved. As with the first method, select a site, clear it, and level it. However, rather than working from a kit, you need to find the plans for what you want the kennel that you want to build. These plans may be found for a relatively small cost online or at a building supply store.

Once you have the plans, you must determine what supplies and tools you will need. Although you may not need many unusual tools, some, like the stretcher you will need for the chain link kennel, you will not use for a long time to come after building your kennel, if you will ever use it again. You may be able to rent some of the tools that you will need either at the building supply store or at a tool rental store.

Once you have your supplies and tools in place and the land is prepared, you should set your kennel flooring. You may choose to use the materials above, or you may choose to use concrete. If you choose to use concrete, level the ground and set up the form in the size and shape needed for your kennel base. The concrete bag will give the proper handling instructions for the product. Follow the plans that you have purchased to complete the remainder of the building.

Building your own kennel may take some time and effort on your part. However, doing so will not only give your dog a comfortable place to relax outside, you will also be proud of your ability to provide it for him.

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