Blog Keeping Your Dog Safe and Secure: The Importance of a Dog Kennel

It is vital to keep dogs in a safe and secure place. At Very Important Paws, we recommend homeowners get a dog kennel. A dog kennel is valuable in ensuring a pet is in a secure environment outside the house. There are four ways kennels help keep your dog safe.

• A kennel keeps pets from hazards.
• Dogs stay warm in kennels.
• A kennel provides shelter from harsh weather.
• Kennels protect from potential problems.

Your Pet is at Risk From Predators

If you cannot supervise your dog while they are outside, they can get into trouble. The well-being of small dogs is at risk from predators such as coyotes. Bigger dogs can get injured from fights with other dogs.

Poison plants, like foxgloves, azaleas, and poison ivy, are a danger you might not think about. Keeping a furry friend in a dog kennel provides peace of mind that they will be protected.

During the winter, it is easy to see a dog getting cold when kept outside. A kennel offers an enclosed space with surfaces against which they can nestle. Even regular kennels protect from the cold. Some models have insulated walls for further protection.

A kennel protects pets year-round. They keep cool in the shade while fresh air circulates through. With protection from snow, sleet, and rain, you know they will be clean when let out of the kennel.

An unruly dog may dig up the neighbor’s flower bed or chase a postal worker. High-energy dogs are fun when you harness their energy for play. When they are out of sight, they can get into trouble. Keeping your dog in an outdoor kennel prevents destructive behavior by the puppy from causing a costly situation for you.

What Is a Dog Kennel?

The concept of what defines dog kennels is a little fuzzy. The kennel we are discussing has a cover and a little dog-run area. A kennel addresses the issues of air, aesthetic appeal, shedding and training.

A kennel allows dog warmth and fresh air without doing much extra work.

If older dogs get cold, they have a comfortable place to rest, and they get fresh air in the dog run when it is warm outside. Dog kennels add aesthetic appeal to a backyard and are beneficial if family members struggle with dog allergies.

If dog hair is an allergen for family members, you do not want a dog roaming your house and shedding hair everywhere. An outside dog kennel provides dogs a safe place to walk freely without causing an allergic reaction.

With a dog kennel, dogs can use the restroom when needed, and you do not have to worry that the dog will ‘go’ in your home. This aids when trying to potty train your dog, as they form a mental association of using the restroom outdoors.

Crate Training

A dog kennel is like a large crate. It can be used for successful crate training. A dog that is already crate-trained thinks of the kennel as an extension of the crate. When you crate train dogs, you teach them housing training and basic commands. Crate training can be used to keep puppies and adult dogs safe.

Kennels help dogs learn to deal with anxiety and self-soothe. To reduce separation anxiety, place the dog in a kennel for a short time while you are home. Gradually increase the crate time. Do extensive research on crate training your dog. Consult a trainer if you have questions.

A kennel allows dog warmth and fresh air without doing a lot of extra work.

Do not use the crate as punishment. Punishment creates negative associations with crate training. Incorporate crate time into the daily routine. The most essential step in crate training is to make it a positive experience. Dogs have an instinct to seek small spaces, and a crate offers a place where dogs feel secure.

When a dog associates the crate with positive experiences, there are fewer behavioral issues. Crate training makes car rides more pleasant for humans and dogs. It is also an effective method of house training.

Typically, dogs avoid soiling the sleeping area. Crate training helps teach bladder and bowel control.

Regular Maintenance

Maintenance often needs to be higher on the priority list in daily business. Owners are responsible for providing a healthy, clean, and safe space for canines. Regular maintenance is an essential part of upholding the responsibility of dog owners.

Keeping dog kennels clean reduces the risk of parasite transmission and disease. Illnesses spread quickly in places where dogs are housed. The best way to prevent an outbreak is regular maintenance. Regular checks help spot potential safety hazards like loose fences, sharp edges, and broken gates.

Promptly addressing these issues ensures dogs are protected and are housed in a secure space. Well-maintained kennels are comfortable. Dogs will be more at ease and less stressed in a well-kept, clean environment. The essential tasks of kennel maintenance include:

• Daily cleaning.
• Regular equipment checks.
• Temperature and ventilation control.
• Pest control.
• Regular vet visits.
• Landscaping.

The kennel should be cleaned thoroughly every day. Cleaning includes cleaning food bowls, changing bedding, and removing waste. Disinfection to kill any illness-causing parasites or bacteria should also be part of the routine.

Check and repair damaged equipment, such as comfort items, toys, fences, gates, and doors. Also, check for potential hazards and sharp edges that can harm dogs. Ventilation, cooling, and heating should be checked regularly to ensure they operate correctly. Poor air quality increases the chance of respiratory illness.

Dogs will be more at ease and less stressed in a well-kept, clean environment.

Inspect for signs of pests like rodents, ticks, and fleas. Have a professional pest control service handle infestations. Vet visits for dogs ensure they are healthy and not carrying spreadable diseases. Maintain the outdoor area to ensure no potential hazards and provide the dog with an enjoyable and safe play area.

Maintenance Schedule

Create a maintenance schedule to ensure you do not overlook any tasks. The schedule can be yearly, monthly, weekly, or daily. Diligently adhering to it ensures the dog’s environment remains clean and safe.

Regular maintenance is about more than cleanliness. It is about creating an enjoyable, healthy, and safe place for four-legged friends.

Very Important Paws Dog Kennels

Very Important Paws provides daycare and boarding services. If you plan to board your dog, there are benefits to keeping a dog in a kennel. Leaving a dog in a kennel does not have to be unsettling.

Kennels are an excellent and safe place to leave dogs when you are away from home. They offer constant playtime, walks, and attention. Benefits include:

• 24/7 Care.
• Regular exercise.
• Sociable environment.
• Ability to check on the dog.
• Maximum safety.

The dog receives around-the-clock care in the morning, noon, and night. Someone is always present to attend to the dog’s needs. The Very Important Paws staff is highly attentive and provides the best care.

Dogs need regular exercise. Keeping them in a kennel ensures they are active and healthy. They take multiple walks, giving them plenty of opportunities to run around and play and space to hang out in their own space.

Staying active helps keep dogs distracted while away from home, and playtime helps create positive associations with a kennel.

Among the most beneficial is the social aspect. Your dog gets to play with humans and can also play with other dogs. It helps distract the dog from missing you and feeling lonely.

Owners have the right to check on their dogs. They can call any time to ask how the furry friend is doing and ensure it is healthy and happy. Kennels are safe places many dogs use to play, sleep, and relax. Security measures are in place, and there is little risk of accidents.

Kennels protect against rain and wind to ensure dogs stay compatible. Fresh air constantly moves through the kennel. However, they should not be used to treat dogs like livestock, as heartless breeders do.

Contact Very Important Paws today in Palm Beach for all your dog boarding, hotel, daycare, grooming, and training needs.