Do you remember the childhood story of Clifford the Big Red Dog? He was so big he needed his own house! Well, what if we told you that your dog could have their own quality living arrangements also? Welcome to the dog shed kennel, the best a dog can get!
What Is A Dog Shed Kennel?
Can we be honest with you? A dog shed kennel is a mouthful to say. So much so that some people have just called them dog kennels. However, using terminology like that can make it pretty difficult to understand what you are getting.
To help set the record straight, a dog shed kennel gives your dog a living space all their own! These structures consist of 2 main parts. The dog box is the “dog house” of the structure. The kennel run is the outdoor area of the structure where the dog can move about and exercise.
Can A Shed Be A Dog Shed Kennel?
No. A shed alone should not be a dog shed kennel. The reason a shed should not be in this way is there is no access to the outside. This means the dog will not have space to get fresh air or exercise. Even if the shed could be used as a dog kennel, there would be no containment system for the dog outside of the shed. This poses an issue as most areas have requirements for how to contain your dog. If those laws are not followed, it can result in fines or worse. (However, if you are interested, we also build sheds for other uses).
Are Outdoor Dog Shed Kennels Safe?
Yes! Outdoor dog shed kennels are safe for your dog. In fact, they are designed with safety in mind! A quality-built dog shed kennel will have secure containment system features. These features will include a dog run and a dog box. This gives your dog adequate space to exercise as well as relax., all while keeping them safe.
Is It Cheaper To Buy Or Build A Dog Shed Kennel?
It can be cheaper to build your own dog shed kennel. However, this comes with a learning curve and multiple expenses. In the video below, someone was able to build what we would call a dog containment system for around $50.
While it may seem like a great way to save some money, we can not say that these ideas are going to be able to give your dog everything that they need. In fact, we can’t be sure that these kennels will be safe for your dog.
Budget-friendly designs do one thing well, build you an affordable dog kennel. However, we would say that many of these designs leave much to be desired in terms of appearance and safety measures. On the other hand, if you are a skilled craftsman, you may be able to make your dog she kennel fit the unique needs you have a bit better and more budget-friendly.
Can A Dog Sleep In An Outdoor Dog Shed Kennel?
You betcha! It can feel a bit odd at first to allow your dog to sleep in a dog shed kennel. However, most dogs love having their own space. By giving your dog their own space, it allows them to be comfortable and secure. One of the greate features of choosing a dog shed kennel is the ability to make it as comfortable as possible for them. A quality-built dog shed kennel will have the ability to be easily insulated. This removes your burden of worrying about their comfort and leaves you now that they will be as comfortable as they need to be.
Is It Cruel To Have Your Dog(s) Live Outside In A Dog Shed Kennel?
No! It is not cruel to have your dog(s) live in a dog shed kennel. However, how you set it up for their comfort will make a big impact on how much they enjoy it. This is where you get to be creative and truly make your shed kennel a haven for your dog. Take a look at some of the ways people have created their dog shed kennels to be just what their furry friends needs.
How Do I Make My Dog Shed Kennel Comfortable?
You can make your dog shed kennel comfortable with something as basic as a blanket. Yet some people find joy in making their dog’s space as enjoyable as a luxury home, as we saw above. Below we want to give you the ultimate guide to comfort features for your dog shed kennel.
Dog Shed Kennel | Toys
The best way to ensure your dog feels comfortable in their dog shed kennel is to give them some of their favorite toys. There are a vast array of toys that your dog may like. However, knowing what kinds of toys your dog may like in their own special place can be difficult. To help you determine what toys are the best for your dog shed kennel, we have broken them down into six categories.
Toy Storage Bins
First things first, your dog needs a storage bin for all of their toys. Should you wish, a dog shed kennel can be built to have a storage box for their toys. However, some people have found that they enjoy having a cloth basket or a plastic tote to store their dog toys in.
Plush Toys
Plush toys are a great way to offer your dogs some added comfort in their dog shed kennel. Some people enjoy giving their pups a special plush toy that is their favorite Disney Character, like Rex from Toy Story. On the other hand, other people have found that they need plush toys that are a bit more durable. Whatever you choose, make sure that your dog is safe with plush toys on their own. Some dogs eat these toys, and it can cause internal damage.
Chew Toys
Chew toys in your dog shed kennel can be a bit of a controversial idea. Some veterinarians say that the hardest toy a dog should have should still be able to be dented with your fingernail. No matter where you personally stand on the issue, we have found that elk antlers and Nylabones are great toys for aggressive chewers. Even a simple stick is great! However, make sure you talk with your veterinarian. They have your dog’s best interest in mind and will give you the guidance you need to know what toys are safe or not safe.
Fetch Toys
It may seem like an odd idea to have a fetch toy in your dog shed kennel. However, we have found that the dog who LOVES fetch will enjoy having their favorite ball with them. Some of the best fetch toys on the market are made by the brand, Chuck-It.
*Pro Tip:
If you have electricity in your dog kennel shed, your dog may love the option of a dog ball thrower. This gives you two great benefits. One, they can entertain themselves for hours with their toy. Two, you’ll save your shoulder from throwing the ball all day long for them. We think this is really a win-win for everyone involved.
Rope and Tug Toys
Ropes and tug toys are a great way to help train your dog to enjoy their new space. Many times, getting your dog used to their new dog shed kennel involves doing some basic training. To help reward your dog’s behavior of using their new dog shed kennel, you may find playing tug is very beneficial.
Interactive Toys
Interactive toys are a great way to get your food-driven dog comfortable in their dog shed kennel. Sometimes these toys are referred to as puzzle balls or puzzle bowls. The way these interactive toys work is by filling your dog’s toy up with small treats. Your dog then can nose around or paw at the bowl or ball and get the food out for a reward.
Dog Shed Kennel | Bedding
Ensuring your dog is comfortable is just as important as ensuring they are safe. To give your dog the epitome of comfort, they need some kind of quality bedding. To help you figure out how to make your dog is as comfortable as they can be, we have broken down the bedding options into eight categories.
Furniture Style Dog Beds
Can we shoot straight with you? We know that even the most avid dog lover enjoys having the couch to themselves sometimes. However, that doesn’t mean your dog can’t have a couch in their dog shed kennel! An increasingly popular dog bed option is to give your dog a mini couch bed that is all their own! Or, if you really want to spoil them, have a couch for them in your home and in their kennel. People may start to wonder who runs your house. (Let’s be honest; we all know it’s your dog anyway! 😊 ).
Elevated Dog Bedding
Depending on where you live, your dog shed kennel may be subject to hot weather. This can leave some of your longer-haired dogs feeling a bit warm. To help give your dog air movement all around them, an elevated dog bed can give your pet the cooler resting space they need.
Heated Dog Beds
When winter time comes around, your dog shed kennel needs to be warm. One of the greatest ways we can help you achieve this is by offering heated dog mats. These mats offer your dog the ability to have a warm spot all their own. This will help keep them happy and warm no matter the climate.
We know there are some cheaper options that are similar for you to add to your dog shed kennel. However, we can not speak to the effectiveness or safety of these heated bedding options.
Pillow Dog Beds
The most common style of dog beds on the market are pillow beds. These are a great way to offer your dogs a comfortable, and low-cost bedding option in their dog shed kennel. One of the cons with these bedding styles is their affordability does not lend itself to durability.
Orthopedic Dog Beds
Sometimes, our dogs are more athletic than we give them credit for. No matter if your dog enjoys chasing a ball or is a full-fledged ranch hand, your dog needs to rest. For those dogs who have sore joints from all the work and play they do, an Orthopedic Bed is a great way to offer them the rest their sore bodies need.
Covered Dog Beds
Your dog shed kennel naturally puts a roof over your dog’s head. However, your dog may enjoy the extra coverage that a covered dog bed offers. Beds like this give your dog a personal “den” like feel. Sometimes these beds can look like tents or even like your favorite Star Wars Character.
Blankets For Dog Beds
It goes without saying that putting blankets in your dog shed kennel will provide warmth and comfort. What we like about blankets is that they are very affordable (sometimes even free). Additionally, if your dog likes to chew and eat things, this may not be a great option for you as it could cause digestive health issues.
Natural Dog Bedding
Natural bedding is a great way to have a bedding option that is relatively affordable, comfortable, and provides a lot of warmth. The two most popular ways to use natural bedding is straw or wood shavings. Both options are helpful, but we have found that when it comes to straw, Blue Mountain Hay works best for dog shed kennel bedding.
Dog Shed Kennel | Food Bowls
Your dog shed kennel needs to have food for your dog. However, figuring out the best way to help keep your dog fed is no easy task. To help you determine how to make your dog shed kennel function best for you, and them, we have come up with a few ways to solve the problems you may incur.
Food Storage
First things first, your dog shed kennel should have a way to store your dog’s food. A common way to store your dog’s food is to use a simple storage bin. However, an issue that can arise with using this kind of container is that they are often not airtight. This can cause your dog’s food to mold or go stale. To remedy this problem, we suggest using an airtight container.
Standard Bowl
Can we be frank for a moment? We all know that a dog bowl can be really fancy or fairly basic. At the end of the day, they all do the same thing. In fact, some of the best bowls you can buy are stainless steel bowls from the Dollar Tree. Additionally, if these bowls become damaged while in your dog shed kennel, they are relatively inexpensive to replace. We also like these bowls because they are easy to clean if they become dirty.
Busy Bowls
Busy bowls in your dog shed kennel are a great way to help your dog in two ways. The first way that this helps your dog is by giving them something to do that is entertaining. This way, they can take some time to gain mental stimulation while they eat their food. The second way that these bowls help your dog is by helping them slow down when they eat. Some dogs eat too fast. This can cause them to have an upset stomach and become ill. A busy bowl helps to naturally slow down their eating, resulting in happier bellies and, ultimately, happier dogs.
Automatic Feeder Bowl
Automatic feeders are an upgrade that we can add to your dog shed kennel. The way these food bowls work is by gravity. You fill the container portion of the bowl with your desired dry dog food. As your dog eats their food, more space will be created and will allow your dog’s bowl to fill.
Elevated Bowl
Providing your dog with an elevated dog bowl area in your dog shed kennel is a great way to show the taller dogs in your life that you care. The bowls themselves are not different from a standard bowl. However, the bowl holder brings the bowls up to a higher level. This helps to ease the strain on your dog leaning down. This saves strain on your dog’s neck and shoulders, preventing injury while they eat.
Dog Shed Kennel | Water Bowls
Most states have laws that require your dog(s) to have access to fresh and clean water bowls in their living area. Just like with food bowls, there are several ways to give your dog the water that they need. We have broken it down into three basic bowl styles to help give your dog the necessary water.
Automatic Water Bowl
Just like the automatic feeder bowl, we can also install an automatic water bowl in your dog shed kennel. The way this water bowl works is by directly attaching a small hose from your water source to the bowl. Within the bowl, a float regulates the water that fills the bowl. The added benefit to this feature is that you do not need electricity in your kennel to have this function properly.
Water Fountain
When you’re outside on a hot summer day, nothing is better than a sip of a cold drink when you come inside. Adding a dog water fountain to your dog shed kennel can give your dog the same experience of getting a cool sip of water. However, the two downfalls to this option are they do require an electrical source and require you to periodically fill up the water reservoir.
Standard Bowl
As we said earlier, the dog bowls for your shed kennel can be as basic as possible. They all hold what they need. However, the thing we don’t like about a standard bowl in your dog shed kennel is it can freeze overnight. Or worse, a spilled bowl can cause a slick spot from freezing on the floor. While this is the most budget-friendly option, most people have found that some water source that can fill itself or be filled fewer times and keep the water moving is the best option for most dog shed kennels.
Dog Shed Kennel | Electrical
Adding electrical to your dog shed kennel opens up a whole new window of opportunity for you. Having electrical hookups allows you the opportunity to add in some features that are otherwise not viable. Such features include heating, cooling, and video surveillance. While some of those ideas may seem excessive for your needs, others may find it brings them peace of mind or is needed for monitoring puppies after birth.
Dog Shed Kennel | Cooling
One of the best ways to give your dog a luxury dog shed kennel is to offer a way to cool off the dog box space. Everyone seems to have an opinion on how to do this best. However, we have found three options that solve the issue of cooling your dog(s) off best.
Windows
Adding windows to your dog shed kennel is a great way to get airflow added to your shed kennel. While your dog shed kennel doesn’t need windows, it is a great perk for your curious pup. While our Basic Kennel and Standard Kennel do not come standard with windows, these shed kennels can easily have windows added.
Fan
Adding a fan to your shed kennel is a great way to help with additional air movement. There are two ways to go about adding in a fan to your dog kennel. One option is to look at a store like Habitat for Humanity ReStore. Places like these often have quality used products such as fans at a far cheaper price than full retail. Additionally, if height is an issue in your dog shed kennel, a low-profile ceiling fan can offer a great solution for additional lighting and airflow. Adding in this feature will require you to have an electrical connection of some sort.
Air Conditioning
Living in a rainy or humid climate will cause moisture. To help keep the moisture levels down, placing an air conditioning unit in your dog shed kennel is a great option. Many times air conditioning can be added into the wall of the shed kennel, leaving you with no loss of headspace inside.
Dog Shed Kennel Heating
When you need to give your dog shed kennel some warmth, there are a few common ways to do so. Some heating options tend to be a bit more budget-friendly. However, each climate will require a different level of heating to make your dog comfortable.
Moisture Barrier For Dog Shed Kennels
Moisture barriers are a key way to keep your dog warm, but more importantly, keep them dry. There is an old farmer’s saying that goes like this: “wet is cold”. This phrase simply means, if you are wet you are more likely to feel cold. We highly recommend having a moisture barrier on your dog shed kennel to help keep them dry and keep the moisture away from them.
Insulation For Dog Shed Kennels
Insulation is a great way to keep the heat in and the cold out (or vice versa). Insulation can come in multiple options. We think that the guys over at This Old House have a great resource on understanding how to make the best insulation choice for your dog shed kennel.
Maybe, you see that video and think, “There is no way I can figure out how to insulate my dog shed kennel”, and that is ok. At My BarnYard, we offer insulation as an available upgrade. This removes more work for you and increases your usability from the start.
Infrared Heaters For Dog Shed Kennels
Infrared heaters are a great way to give your dog shed kennel the added benefit of additional heat. Let’s face it, depending on the climate that you are in, the winter can be downright brutal! Infrared heaters are a low-cost and effective way to heat your dog’s kennel.
However, we know that in designing your dog shed kennel, you may not be in our service area. To help you figure out what kennel suits your needs, this video does a great job of explaining what may be the best option for your needs!
Dog Shed Kennel | Security
Can we shoot straight with you for a moment? A big reason many people get their dog is for some added protection. No matter the size of your dog, they help to let people know you aren’t alone. Yet it is easy to forget that a dog shed kennel needs to help keep your dog safe too. To help give your dog the best security, we have several ways to keep your dog safe.
Dog Shed Kennel Lighting
Having a well-lit area ensures that you and your dog can see well no matter what time of day it is. At My Barnyard, we offer solar lighting so that you can see no matter where your dog kennel is located. Additionally, many people have found that by placing an LED Solar Powered Flood Light on the exterior of their shed that they have the added security of outdoor lighting.
Baby Monitor For Dog Shed Kennel
Baby monitors are a great way to have a listening ear on your dogs, even from far away. By adding a baby monitor to your dog shed kennel, you have the added benefit of knowing if your dog needs help. Even if you can’t see your dogs directly from where you are. Keep in mind that the baby monitors that last the longest use audio only. So if seeing them is important to you, video surveillance may be helpful.
Video Surveillance for Dog Shed Kennel
Video surveillance is a great added perk no matter what you need from your dog shed kennel! Video surveillance allows you to visualize your dog while they whelp their puppies, or just see what they are doing. Our cameras send the video fee directly to your phone. This does mean that you will need to have the ability to connect your camera to a network to see what your dog is up to!
Dog Shed Kennel | Fun Features
We all love our furry friends. However, all of the ideas that we have given you so far are pretty standard. However, we think there are several fun features that you can add to your dog shed kennel for some added fun.
TVs For Dog Shed Kennel
Some of the nicest overnight dog kennels offer “in-kennel” TV. Why not make your dog shed kennel better than the most high-end places? Even a small TV offers your dog a high-quality experience for a low price point.
Pictures For Dog Shed Kennels
Adding a few pictures can give your dog a truly unique space. We have their pictures in our homes, so why not add your picture to their home? We have found that some of the best ways to add a picture are to do a photo panel. These images are durable and not easily damaged as a traditional picture and frame may be.
Furniture For Dog Shed Kennels
When you are ready to put the finishing touches in your dog shed kennel, why not give your dog some custom furniture? Sure maybe they have an old bed that could go out there, but you’ve made it this far, so why not spoil them even more? We think that by giving your dog its own furniture, you get to really make the space their own. Hey, maybe, even add a lamp or end table. The options are truly limitless to your creativity.
Interior Paint
The last but most affordable and simple improvement you can make is to paint the inside of your dog shed kennel. This paint serves a threefold purpose. The first purpose is that it will help to protect the wood from becoming damaged from normal wear and tear. The second benefit is that it will help give your dog shed kennel a finished look and stylized design. Third, paint allows the inside of your dog kennel to be cleaned much more easily as it acts as a sealant barrier and can be wiped down.
Don’t Make Us Beg…
As you can see, we are passionate about helping you create the best dog shed kennel for your dogs. At My Barnyard, we are the main destination in Oregon and Washington for all things dog kennel related. We know we are up to the challenge of building the dog shed kennel of your dreams! So let our crew get to work building your dog shed kennel. This way, you and your dog can sit, stay, and relax!