Ideas for Dog Run Areas

Walls

• Most outdoor dog runs are some type of wire mesh, such as chain link. Use wrought iron fencing (as long as the posts are close enough together the dog cannot escape) or privacy fence. The fence must be tall enough that the dog cannot jump out, which depends on the size of the dog. Indoor runs can use glass or plastic walls that are found in prefabricated kits. These kits are mostly available to commercial kennel owners, however.

Flooring

• You have numerous choices in flooring. Both indoor and outdoor runs are often put on concrete, but many people have problems with how hard and cold the floor can be. This problem can be solved with rubber mats, which keep the ease of cleaning concrete offers. Rubber mats can be placed over any smooth, hard surface (such as tamped dirt or stone dust), but are expensive. Outdoor runs are sometimes erected over grass in the dog owner's yard, but cleaning and mowing can become an issue. You will sometimes see gravel and stone dust, which drain well, but can also be hard for a dog to lay on. Wood chips need to be replaced at least yearly as they wear down, and dogs can get splinters. Sand drains well and can make poop-picking easier. Gravel, stone dust, wood chips and sand are all easy to dig in. There are also prefabricated plastic ground covers that look like decking material, or you can install synthetic grass that is made for runs (to allow urine to soak through).

Covers

• Outdoor runs should be at least partially covered. You can usually find run covers for sale at the same stores that offer the chain-link rectangular kits, but these are sized for those kits. You can use tarps, but they must be fastened well to the run to prevent them from flying away or sagging. You can build a roof over the run using wood posts and tin, or buy one of those metal car ports to place over the run.