What is a dog run?
An enclosure is a space delimited by a fence, which is made up of several panels to be assembled, including a panel with a door, which constitutes a secure place for your dog and from which he must not be able to escape.
" There are outdoor enclosures that can be permanently installed on your property and temporary enclosures (also called dog parks) that can be used indoors and outdoors. Temporary enclosures are most often used to keep newborn puppies and their mothers in the same space."
Enclosure or kennel: what's the difference?
An outdoor dog enclosure is generally a structure without a roof in which it is possible to place your dog occasionally and very temporarily in the garden. Conversely, a kennel is a construction that has a roof and an area sheltered from bad weather so that the dog can stay there longer.
An enclosure: for which dogs?
All dogs can be placed very temporarily in an enclosure, placed outdoors or indoors, provided that the dimensions of the enclosure are well suited to the size of the dog and that the dog is used to it positively to go there.
Indoor enclosures can completely replace an indoor doghouse and be used for dogs:
- who suffer from separation anxiety and who show destructive behavior in the absence of their master, in order to reassure and secure the dog during detachment therapy,
- in dogs who have difficulty becoming completely potty trained and who still “forget themselves” in the absence of their master or at night,
- that you want to put in an unfenced garden but who tend to run away when they are not under the supervision of their master (beware, however, of dogs that dig to escape),
- for very young puppies and their mothers.
Warning!
It is obvious that an adult dog should never be placed in an enclosure for more than 3 to 4 hours a day, whether it is placed indoors or outdoors. If the dog is locked in there for too long then the use of the enclosure can be the cause of the occurrence of various behavioral problems in your dog related to his isolation. The same is true for puppies. To ensure their normal and harmonious behavioral development, the puppies must also spend time outside the enclosure where they must be placed in an environment rich in stimulation (contact with dogs and animals of other species, outings in environments varied etc.).
The dog enclosure: how to choose it?
The choice of an outdoor enclosure will be conditioned by different criteria:
His material
Preferably choose a plastic or metal enclosure, easily cleanable and strong enough not to be damaged by your dog. If the enclosure is intended for outdoor use, opt for a galvanized steel or metal structure coated with hammertone paint instead to prevent corrosion.
There are fabric dog enclosures, designed for indoors. These enclosures are only designed for puppies or very small dogs as they can be quickly damaged.
Its modularity and the possibility of expanding it
If your enclosure is intended to be moved from one place to another, preferably opt for a modular and scalable enclosure that you can assemble in the form of a circle, rectangle or square so that it adapts best to the place where you will place it.
Also study the possibility of adding additional panels if you need to change the floor area of your enclosure.
Its dimensions
Of course, the dimensions of your enclosure will be one of the most important criteria for your choice. Consider both:
- the height of the enclosure panels which must be sufficient to prevent your dog from jumping over them,
- the ground surface delimited by the enclosure. For information, it must be at least 5m2per adult dog or even 10m2 if it is a large dog. race.
Also pay attention to the mesh width of the panels. Meshes that are too large could allow smaller dogs to pass through.
Its ease of assembly and the size of the panels
Also be sure to choose an enclosure that is easy to assemble and disassemble, especially if you plan to use it temporarily. Also be sure to check that the size of the panels once dismantled will allow you to store it easily.
If you plan to install your enclosure more permanently on your land, find out how to anchor the enclosure in the ground.
Useful accessories
If your enclosure is intended to be used indoors, make sure it has rubber pads so as not to damage your floor, especially if it is a metal enclosure.
If your enclosure is intended for outdoor use, make sure it has a roof - supplied with the enclosure or as an option - to protect your dog from the rain or to provide shade for your pet in good weather.
Dog enclosure: prices
The prices of dog enclosures vary greatly depending on all the criteria mentioned above (material, dimensions, enclosure designed for indoors and/or outdoors).
The price range extends from around sixty euros for indoor enclosures to more than €400 for enclosures intended to be installed outdoors.