How To Build The Perfect Backyard Dog Run
The first step in building an enclosure for your dogs is to pick a spot that will work well for you and them. It should be out of the way enough to not interfere with outdoor entertaining or activities, but still close enough to the house for you to be able to check on your dog periodically. If you want your dog to be able to go in and out of the house while you are not home without needing to leave a door open, you may want to consider placing your outdoor kennel adjacent to a side door with a doggie door installed.
Or, if you have an appropriately sized side yard that you are not using for storage or as a vegetable garden, you may want to place your enclosure there, which will ensure that it is out of the way and allow you to use less fencing, since you will only need to close off each end of the space.
The spot you choose should be in partial shade to allow your dog to get out of the hot San Diego sun and should be close to a water source to make rinsing down the run and filling up water bowls more convenient. If it is not possible to build a dog run in the shade, you can also add shade to the area with a dog house, cover or patio umbrella.
You should also pick the largest spot possible, particularly if your dog will be spending a lot of time in the enclosure, to make sure that he or she has plenty of room to run, play and explore without feeling cramped in a small space. At minimum, the space should be at least twice as wide and about five times as long as the length of your dog.
You should also choose a spot with good drainage to ensure that your dog will not be standing in mud or water if it happens to rain.
While portable runs are generally more affordable, and are easy to remove or relocate, they may not be sturdy enough for a determined escape artist and likely will not complement your landscape design as well as a custom-built enclosure. For those who are not overly concerned with the look of their kennel, portable options are available for less than $100 and can be easily setup in an afternoon, but this type of structure is not going to work for homeowners who care about the visual appeal of their outdoor living spaces.
After all, chain link fencing – which is what most portable, pre-made dog runs are made of – does not go well with a beautiful paving stone patio, manicured flower beds or perfectly placed water features.So, it’s a good thing that there are plenty of other options for building an attractive dog run that both you and your furry friends will love!
Open dog runs give your pup the sense that they have their very own yard. For open dog runs, be sure that your fence or perimeter is high enough where your dog can’t jump over it.
An enclosed area may be great for pets that are undergoing puppy training, or have . For enclosed dog runs, it’s best to make sure the roof is high enough for your pet to jump and move around. Any dog run should be at least twice as wide and five times as long as the length of your dog. This is especially important for an enclosed play area.
Different Types of Dog Run Ideas
Like homes and parks, there are a variety of dog runs that meet a variety of canine needs.
Some are simple and small, while others are large and elaborate.
A number of factors will influence what design is best for you and your pup.
Consider things such as:
Each of these will play into how large and complex your dog run should be.
For the purposes of this post, we’ll be focusing on pet enclosures or outdoor dog kennels.
Before delving into how to construct a dog run, let’s explore the different varieties of dog runs available.
Limestone that is crushed and compacted to create a relatively smooth surface is another good option. Its hardy in all types of weather and also can help keep down the smell of urine and feces due to its natural lime properties. Its also easy to hose down and drains well. It also doesnt heat up in the summer as much as other types of rocks. The cost per square foot for crushed limestone is $1.25 to $1.80.
The benefit of using concrete is that you can slope it so that water runs down to a drain area which is very useful during cleaning. Cleaning a concrete area is generally easy and concrete is very durable. Also, consider:
River rock can also be a better option for dogs as they are flat and smooth and theres less chance your dog can break a nail or hurt their paws. Theyre also very attractive for your landscaping. Because theyre larger than small rocks and gravel, they are less likely to sink into the ground and become muddy and they will drain more easily than small rocks. They are also harder for your dog to dig up because of their size. The downsides to river rock are:
Some owners lay wooden platforms down on the ground in their runs. The platforms are usually placed over gravel, rocks or concrete so water can drain when youre cleaning it. When choosing groundcover for a dog run, remember that:
A better option is pea gravel, which is less jarring on their feet and does not retain as much heat. According to HomeAdvisor, pea gravel is about $3 for a bag for 5 cubic feet and gravel is about $30 to $35 for one cubic yard. Sand runs about $4 for a 50-pound bag.
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Providing your dog with a safe outdoor space to run around is a great way to offer them exercise and fun. Its important to think about the flooring when designing an outdoor dog run, as it will affect the ease of cleaning and protect your dog from weather extremes.
Dirt or grass is the easiest solution and the cheapest. You wont have an installation or purchasing costs associated with using whats available. Also, keep in mind:
There is also synthetic grass, which looks like real grass but is easier to clean and doesnt require the same amount of upkeep. It can become very hot though if you live in a warmer climate. It also can be pricey running anywhere from $2 to $8 per square foot, plus the cost of installation from $6 to $20 per square foot.
Some owners lay wooden platforms down on the ground in their runs. The platforms are usually placed over gravel, rocks or concrete so water can drain when youre cleaning it. When choosing groundcover for a dog run, remember that:
Pricing for wood varies depending on the type you use and whether you build it yourself. Youll find 6×8 cedar boards run around $10 each and pine 2x8s are about $3 to $4 each; keep in mind lumber prices do fluctuate with the market.
Composite decking looks like wood but is more weather-resistant, easy to clean and wont become moldy or get mildew. The material requires no staining or painting and last longer than wood. Pricing varies depending on your design but a 5×8 foot composite board is about $12 to $15 each. You can also purchase a 2″x4″ plank composite deck board for about $50 and purchase several to fit them together to fill your desired space.
Some traditional dog runs use substances like gravel, stone, or sand but this is not ideal. Think about:
A better option is pea gravel, which is less jarring on their feet and does not retain as much heat. According to HomeAdvisor, pea gravel is about $3 for a bag for 5 cubic feet and gravel is about $30 to $35 for one cubic yard. Sand runs about $4 for a 50-pound bag.
Limestone that is crushed and compacted to create a relatively smooth surface is another good option. Its hardy in all types of weather and also can help keep down the smell of urine and feces due to its natural lime properties. Its also easy to hose down and drains well. It also doesnt heat up in the summer as much as other types of rocks. The cost per square foot for crushed limestone is $1.25 to $1.80.
River rock can also be a better option for dogs as they are flat and smooth and theres less chance your dog can break a nail or hurt their paws. Theyre also very attractive for your landscaping. Because theyre larger than small rocks and gravel, they are less likely to sink into the ground and become muddy and they will drain more easily than small rocks. They are also harder for your dog to dig up because of their size. The downsides to river rock are:
River rocks cost approximately $20 to $100 per cubic yard or $0.75 to $4 per cubic foot.
The benefit of using concrete is that you can slope it so that water runs down to a drain area which is very useful during cleaning. Cleaning a concrete area is generally easy and concrete is very durable. Also, consider:
If you choose concrete, an option would be to provide an area for your dogs to relax that is not concrete, such as a wooden or composite deck platform, rubber matting or a raised dog bed and even a small wading pool in the summer so they can cool off their feet. Concrete runs about $2 per square foot although your costs will vary depending on whether you do it yourself or hire a contractor.
Rubber matting is often used in doggie daycare facilities. It is a great flooring material option for outdoor dog runs. Consider.
The flooring is sold in squares or rectangles and the smallest size, a 3×4 sheet, would cost about $90. You can also get kennel mat kits sold in specific sizes that are about $2.50 per square foot. You can also purchase vinyl mats which run about $3 per square foot.