Do not rush to send out ads with the headline: "Buy a dog enclosure." Such custom-made designs are not cheap (about 2,000 cu for the hit “climate control”, and this is the cost of one square), and the expectations are not always met.
You can create comfortable living conditions for your beloved pet yourself. Believe me, this is not so difficult. Read about
how to make a dog aviary .
1. Choose a place. This should be a flat area, ideally - a little flat (so that the water does not linger after rains and snowmelt), in partial shade. Consider also the feature of most dogs (especially guard dogs), which consists in the need to control "property". The dog should be able to view the entire territory belonging to the owner. Some dog handlers claim that by constructing an aviary in the far corner of the garden, the owner will be able to count on the dog’s exceptional viciousness. Say, distrust to strangers is brought up by the exception of contact with guests. Maybe. But do not forget: your contact with the dog will also be limited, and excessive viciousness can become a very serious problem in the future.
2. We select a booth. Quite often it turns out that, having built an aviary, the owner thinks about how to install a booth in it. Dog houses of impressive sizes do not always fit into the framework of the door installed on the aviary, so sometimes you have to resort to dismantling the already built structure.
Boxes, no matter what the designers advise, it is better to make of wood. They are less durable than, say, brick, but much warmer and do not threaten the animal with arthritis. An inexpensive booth made of pine will last at least ten years (in any case, it will definitely be enough for a dog’s life). Give preference to the so-called "designer" (collapsible housing is much more convenient to clean and disinfect) or houses with removable roofs. They can be ordered at pet stores or bought at markets.
If you do not plan to place the booth in the aviary (this option is also possible when the aviary is connected to the circuit by a vestibule or a corridor), pay attention to the material from which the roof will be made. Many dogs are afraid of echoes, so exclude cover that will amplify the sound when it rains or hails (especially iron). Take care of the pet's nervous system in advance.
A couple more details that you need to pay attention to: double walls and false ceilings. We are talking about insulation material that creates a semblance of a thermos (as an option - foam sheets). For the same purpose, it is worth hanging a silicone curtain at the inlet of the booth. You can, of course, take advantage of the PetCool climate control, but this will cost you $ 1200-1500. It is undesirable to use substitutes of the “warm heat” type - dogs react negatively to thermal infrared radiation, become inadequate, irritable.
3. We build an aviary for the dog. The sizes of the enclosure, like the kennels, depend on the parameters of the animal (on average 8 m², from 10 m² for large dogs). The height of the structure is calculated based on the growth of the dog standing on its hind legs (it should not touch the roof with its head). If in the future offspring is expected, then the area increases at least one and a half times. Before construction, it is better to sketch the drawing (in a convenient arbitrary form) - it will be easier to determine the necessary material and details.
The ideal floor for the main location of the dog is wooden, from polished boards. Moreover, the thicker they are, the longer the coating will last. Some dog breeders recommend cementing floors. There are pluses to this: the dog will not undermine, and cleaning is much easier. However, on top of cement floors, in order to avoid rheumatic diseases in the future, wooden flooring with a space for ventilation (solid wooden panels made of grooved boards, dried, processed, without the slightest signs of mold) must be laid.
It is advisable to make the frontal side of the future aviary lattice (dogs often break their teeth on the net). The most suitable material is profile metal pipes (both square and round). Galvanized and powdery analogs for an animal are unsafe, therefore their use is undesirable.
The side walls, as well as the rear, are made of wooden panels (dry-sheathed wood subjected to anti-putrefaction treatment, from 2 cm). Use stainless screws for fastening. Wooden elements must not come into contact with the base of the aviary base and soil.
For the roof, standard materials are suitable: soft tiles, ondulin, corrugated board, etc. The use of nails for fixing is unacceptable.
When the enclosure for the dog is almost ready, install the door. It is better to place it in the front of the structure, and so that it opens inward and closes without problems outside.