Home Repair and Paint Guide

... Before you begin, there are several things you must research. First, is the kennel allowed by local building codes. If yes, is there a size restriction, and how high can the enclosing fence be? Some building codes either won’t allow a dog run to be built or have strict size limits. Even if the building code permits it, your neighborhood homeowner’s association (if there is one) might restrict dog runs. Be sure to check with everyone first before drawing up plans. Another consideration is the dog. Does he/she bark excessively? This will drive your neighbors nuts and you will soon get a visit from animal control. Can your dog jump over the fence? How about digging out of the pen? It won’t do much good to construct a nice kennel, only to have your pet get out and run all over the neighborhood. Another idea is to erect a privacy fence at the same time as building the kennel. This will keep nosey neighbors from seeing (and possible complaining about) your run, and also prevent your dog from finding interesting things to bark at. The same thing goes for the fence as the run - check building codes and HOA restrictions. You can build your own kennel or hire a contractor to do the job. Some fence companies will erect the kennel for you at a very reasonable fee. All you have to provide is a dog house. Speaking of dog houses, don’t put one too close to the fence. Your dog might be able to climb on top and use it to jump out. Make sure the fence and dog house can withstand weather extremes. This is especially important if you experience high winds in your area ...