How to build a dog enclosure with your own hands
Keeping large dogs in the house is far from the best idea, because they need space and fresh air. They were not bred for indoor life, so living with them is inconvenient. But letting the dog out into the yard “on a permanent basis” is also not always possible. You need a place where you can close it for a while. Therefore, they build fenced areas - aviaries.
The content of the article
What is an aviary
An aviary is a fenced-in area for keeping poultry, pets and dogs. It may or may not be covered.
One of the options for solid pets
A dog enclosure is a building in which an animal can be kept. For large dogs, the aviary is made on the street, and in such a way that it can withstand the pressure of the animal for a long time.
This is an aviary (fence) for small dogs
For small pet dogs, an aviary is usually understood as a portable fence that allows you to restrict their movement. The same enclosures are usually needed for grown up puppies so that they do not wander around the house.
Aviary sizes
To make an aviary with your own hands, you will first need to decide on the size. It all depends on the breed, or rather, on the size of the dog. The larger it is, the more spacious pen she needs for normal health. For shepherds, huskies and other not too large dogs, a corral with an area of 6 meters per individual is enough. Much more is needed for Alabai, Caucasian Shepherd Dogs, Mastiffs and other large breeds. If the corral is considered only for "lock up while someone comes", then you can fence off all the same 6 squares. Otherwise - at least 8
We proceed from the fact that the depth of the corral is desirable at least 2 meters. The width "looms" from the required area and the available free space.
Recommended enclosure area for large and medium sized dogs
Usually the aviary is made covered. You can leave part of the site without a roof, so that, if desired, the pet can bask in the sun. Only now you should not leave the site without protection: either your dog will run away, or some one will come to visit. Instead of a "normal" roof, there can be a lattice made of twigs - there is enough light and no surprises.
If the dog will spend the winter in the aviary, you can provide for a winter road or put up an insulated booth. Chances are, your caretaker will like the second option better. They often prefer to sit on the roof of the booth, since there is a better view from there, and not everyone agrees to enter the closed part - nothing is visible. You can quickly stick your head out of the booth, and you have to run out of the winter road. In general, you better know your pet's character. An aviary is not always built, because it is cheaper, and so that it is durable, reliable and convenient for the animal.
How high should the dog enclosure be? Since it is all the same to you to clean, the height is taken such that you can move inside without problems. Usually the height is from 180-185 cm, but depends on the growth of the host.
For the northern regions, a winterized winter road may be required
If the dog is kept in an aviary, they gather only for a short period of time - the arrival of neighbors, a team of builders, etc. - make only a corral with a roof. If you plan to leave the animal behind the fence for a long time, you also need a booth. It can be placed inside or attached.
Choosing a place for an aviary in the yard
You want to make an aviary so that your pet feels good, so you need to take into account the character and his habits.While in the aviary, the dog will continue to guard its territory, so it is best to fence off the area on a hill, if there is one. It is very good if you can see the entrance to the house, the entrance to the site, or at least you can track one of these important points. When choosing a place, keep in mind that your pet should see you at least from time to time. You or family members. Otherwise, whining and howling are provided for you, especially if the dog is not used to restrictions.
When choosing materials, keep in mind that everything that can be gnawed will gnaw
When choosing a location, pay attention to the following points:
- It is better to retreat at least half a meter from the nearest building or fence, otherwise the litter cannot be cleaned from there.
- The aviary should not be threatened by snow melting. If a huge mass suddenly falls on the roof with a corresponding sound, the dog will be shocked. It will be very problematic to drive her into an aviary.
- It is necessary to unfold the structure so that the open part is facing southeast or southwest. In the northern regions, it is preferable to go to the south. Just don't go north.
- It's not bad if there is a massive bush or a spreading tree nearby - they will cover it from the wind and heat.
It is far from easy to take into account all these wishes, but it depends on how well the pet will feel.
Construction requirements and materials
Dogs of large breeds with good coat are not afraid of the cold. If they are outdoors all the time, they develop a thick undercoat that perfectly protects from the cold. It is much worse for them if they are either warm or cold. What is still bad for them is a draft. Then a thick undercoat does not help. Therefore, one of the long walls of the enclosure must be sewn up - one or two of the short ones can be closed. With such a device, in any direction of the wind, you can find calm and the dog does not need to climb into the booth.
At least two adjoining walls must be sewn up
What to make the frame from and how to sheathe it
The frame of the aviary is made from a pipe or corner. It is better / easier to use a profiled pipe - square or rectangular. Wall thickness from 1.5 mm, cross-section of pipes for racks 40 * 40, for jumpers - 20 * 40. And then look at the mass of the dog, the dimensions of the building and the planned materials. Now finding a corner of normal quality, and even even one, is a problem, and it will not work to straighten it without special equipment. Therefore, the best, after all, a pipe. If you take a corner, then with a shelf of 4-5 cm and a thickness of 2 mm.
The walls of the aviary can be made from imitation of timber. But the part facing inward also needs to be processed (sprinkled)
As already said, at least the back wall must be sewn up, or better - two adjacent ones. In regions where wood is inexpensive, they usually use a board or grooved molding - imitation of a bar, a floorboard, etc. We turn the front side into the enclosure - splinters in dogs are a very unpleasant thing. You can replace the boards with plywood, only a moisture-resistant, sanded, low-emission class (not construction) is required.
Lattice
Often the frame is tightened with a netting or welded mesh, which is used in road or construction works. The chain-link is very unreliable, because if the dog strives for freedom, it is not a hindrance to her. They learn very quickly that if you push well, it sags and sags, and if you put in enough force, it can be broken. This usually happens.
The "little" dog escapes through the netting
Those who are unable to break it down with their mass use the cells in the grid as steps. Very convenient, by the way. When trained, they slip away very quickly. And medium and large dogs are usually smart, so escape in this case is only a matter of time. And if the dogs have not yet learned to climb on the net, they can injure themselves on the welds, protruding edges of the net, etc. The grid is often attacked, so the appearance of dangerous elements is a matter of time.
And how do they leave the enclosed enclosure?
If you decide to make your own dog enclosure and are a little friends with the welding machine, use a bar. Round or square is your choice. A small pipe can also be installed, but it is usually more expensive. The partitions are welded vertically to the frame. The installation step depends on the size of the dog, so that even a thinner one does not crawl through, the distance should be less than the width of the chest.
The forged aviary looks solid
If you just don't like pipes, you can do decorations like cold forging. Just do not make “steps” and tapering decorations for the dog - they can be dangerous.
Leave no gap under the roof
And one more thing: you shouldn't leave a gap under the roof. Yes, this is easier to do and less material is used, but again, the dogs are smart and, with a great desire, climb into this gap. And in size it is sufficient even for a large dog to climb through.
Floor
When it is planned to make an aviary, the question very often arises of what to make the floor from. The best option is plank flooring, and without gaps. Claws can get stuck in crevices and cause injury. So as a flooring is best suited grooved floor board.
To solve the problem of drainage, it can be done with a slight slope - 1-2 cm per meter. It is better not to paint the boards, but treat them with antiseptics and dry them - you can and should. If you want the wood to be darker (less visible dirt), use a pigmented wood oil. It is absorbed into the pores, pigments and oils penetrate deeply. No film forms on the surface, but liquid and dirt are not absorbed. Then the wood is washed easily. Yes, the composition is not cheap, but wood becomes much more convenient to use. It is necessary to renew the coating once a year, and the old one does not need to be removed: a fresh layer is applied to a clean, dry surface (with a brush or roller).
The floor is usually made of wood
Yes, so that the floorboards in the enclosure do not rot and to keep warm, it is best to raise the floor above the ground level by 20 cm.In this case, mice and other animals will not settle there and the dog will be better seen even while lying on the floor. So that it doesn't blow through the floor at all, you can make it insulated. Throw boards from below, you can unplanned, on top - a layer of polystyrene or foamed polyurethane, and on it is already a floorboard.
Equipping shells gives your dog something to do
Sometimes they decide to make a concrete floor in the enclosure, but it is very cold and the dog will be cold in winter. The problem is solved by knocking down fragments of wooden flooring. But they slide and move, which is not suitable for everyone. You can make a double floor - pour a concrete screed with a slope towards the drain, and arrange the floor 10-15 cm higher. Then the problem of leaking "liquid" will be solved, which will be absorbed into the soil. So you can clean the floor in the aviary and the area, getting rid of odor and dirt.
Roof
The roof of the aviary can be made from any material. You can have a single slope, with a slight tilt back, you can - two or four slopes. In order for rain and snow to get inside as little as possible, it is advisable to make overhangs, that is, the roof should be larger than the size of the frame. The minimum overhang is 20 cm. If you need to make an aviary with your own hands at minimal cost, consider the option with a pitched roof. By the way, it can have a bevel not only back, but also to one side.
Drawing of an open-air cage with a pitched roof. It is the cheapest and easiest to use
Any roofing material for a dog enclosure can be used. But if you are concerned about the appearance of the site, it is better if at least in color and texture it looks like the roofing material of a house and / or buildings.
Doors and locks
The frame of the door and the racks to which they are attached are made from the same pipe that went to the frame of the aviary. The filling is usually the same. Loops and locks must be secure. The door opens inside - this makes it easier to control the dog, and there will be less trouble. If the doors open outward, the dog may accidentally drop you.Some are so happy to see the owner that they can open the doors with the person, as soon as the constipation is opened.
Constipation must be reliable
Constipation - fixing well. Our Alabai did an excellent job with the latch, if you do not lower the latch down. He jumped and pounded on it with his paw until he opened the gate. This is despite the fact that the constipation was at a height of about one and a half meters and to close / open it, you need to press the sash well. It seems that everything you need to know to make an aviary for a dog with your own hands is described. It remains only to discuss the kennel, but dog kennel this is a separate topic - there are many nuances.
