In need of ideas for dogs.

[badmomma]

I have two outside dogs. I love them both very much. One runs free she is older and stays in the yard. The other is her son and he is tied up.
My problem is how do I make his area more appealing. To him to me and to passers by. He has his dog house and his bowls and thats about it.
I want to get a kennel but I hate the way they look. I mean basically they are just a giant cage or fence. If I get one how can I make it look good in the yard. I want it to fit into the landscape per say.
If you have suggestions give them to me I am open to anything at this point. I hate the fact that his chain tears out the grass when he isn't digging holes to lay in. HELP!

[homealone]

My suggestion is that when you get a kennel for your furry friend, also purchase some climbing plants which will grow up the fence. This of course will require you to train the plant as well as cut it back at times. The plus side of adding a climbing plant to the fencing of the kennel is that it will allow for shade in the summer and also some protection in the winter, as well as look good to those passing by. Just be sure to choose a plant that is not hazardous to animals, in case he decides he wants to nibble a bit, LOL.
I suggest planting a trumpit vine or even honeysuckle. These make for beautiful plants and will be helpful to your pet.

If this isnt something you are intrested in there are also screens which can also be purchased that go up along side the kennel to keep in unseen.
Though your best bet is to do a little research and look into all your possible options, then decide what will be best for both you and your furry loved one.

[Lady Flipper]

You can also turn the kennel into a small replica of your house, build around the rear part and roof it, and do the front with plants. Some wire showing doesn't look bad at all if the other area looks like a baby house...

You're right, the dog deserves better, I hate seeing chained dogs. Really you should take him to your local dog obedience classes, the SPCA will point you. They are inexpensive or free, and you'll be surprised how much both you and the dog will love it. I promise! It'll become something both of you really look forward to every week!

[badmomma]

Thank you for the great ideas. Lady Flipper you are quite correct and I will look into obedience training for him. He has always been a good dog. The moment I let him off the chain however he is running the fields like a mad man.
The last time I tried to catch him it was like watching a deer bound through an open field. I had to tackle him because he would not stop.
I don't want to end up like my neighbor and be given a choice to tie him or pen him or give him up. I live in the country and I think that it is so unfair to have to keep them tied at all times.

[flippinout]

When I had my German Shepherd, which was a house dog, and one that enjoyed being outside occassionally, we put up privacy fence, then planted low growing bushes in front of it on both sides of the opening.

There were two advantages to doing that, one was the asthetic value and the other was the fact that he couldnt see everything that was going on so therefore didnt bark as much, which is a plus when you have a dog of that size.

Be sure to use a good stain to weatherize the privacy fence to protect it from the elements.

[flip_it_fast]

Nowadays there are so many options for our furry friends out there that I am sure with just a little research you will be able to find something appropriate and something asthetic that you will like to have be a part of your landscape.

[patricia]

Bring the dogs inside!
loll

[homealone]

Another idea you could consider for your outside pet is the installation of an invisable dog fence. These types of fences are not seen by anyone but keep your pet in the yard. With this type of fence installed in your yard your dog is free to be himself, and you have piece of mind knowing that your yard looks good and your furry friend is safe in the yard. This is just yet another idea for you to consider before making a final decision.

[Lady Flipper]

Originally Posted by badmomma

Thank you for the great ideas. Lady Flipper you are quite correct and I will look into obedience training for him. He has always been a good dog. The moment I let him off the chain however he is running the fields like a mad man.
The last time I tried to catch him it was like watching a deer bound through an open field. I had to tackle him because he would not stop.
I don't want to end up like my neighbor and be given a choice to tie him or pen him or give him up. I live in the country and I think that it is so unfair to have to keep them tied at all times.

If I were him, I would run the fields like crazy too when let off the chain. He needs to move! His health will deteriorate if he is confined to a small area, and his instincts tell him to run, run, run while he can.

Obedience training will fix all that, it's easy. He will learn to play a game of fetch in the yard instead of running off and get plenty of exercise while you can just stand and throw a toy instead of chasing after him.

Chained dogs revert to being wild. They have no input and learn to rely on their own devices. They are also the very worst offenders with biting anything that gets into their cramped space, save their owners (Usually, unless punished while chained, then even the owner is at risk).

Please do go to training, the dog will adore the attention, the trainer should understand the dog's behavior, and a good trainer uses no punishment at all. A little jerk of the leash with the wrist of your hand is all that's ever needed.

I wish I lived near you, I'd come over and show you how to make the two of you happy for the rest of his life. I used to train dogs with the police, and breed police dogs. At one point I had 12 German shepherds, and all could be trusted in the house and off leash anywhere, including in downtown traffic and such. A dog with training is a happy dog, he knows he won't get into trouble. From his point of view, he has learned to control you in that he does certain things and you respond with praise. And believe me, he wants nothing more than see you in a good mood.

The feeling of having a well trained dog you can trust as friend, companion and protector on your side just can't be beat! And for the dog, the feeling of belonging to your pack, being accepted and understanding what you want is heaven. Dogs are pack animals, and they see their owners as their pack. They want to be with you, and they want to be in harmony with you. An untrained dog just doesn't know how to go about it. They need to be shown, and properly.

All dogs just want to please, they want to make you happy. If their basic needs are met, and they understand what you want and have a chance to make you happy, they will be pure joy to have around.

I could write a book just on why you should do some training with him.... but the most important thing is that it's fun for both of you and will make both lead a happier life.

[Lady Flipper]

Originally Posted by homealone

Another idea you could consider for your outside pet is the installation of an invisable dog fence. These types of fences are not seen by anyone but keep your pet in the yard. With this type of fence installed in your yard your dog is free to be himself, and you have piece of mind knowing that your yard looks good and your furry friend is safe in the yard. This is just yet another idea for you to consider before making a final decision.

Invisible dog fences require quite a time investment by the owner - dogs need to be constantly supervised and trained at first. By the time you finish training a dog to understand the fence, IMO you can trian for basic obedience and it's a lot more fun for the both of you to train for obedience.

The invisible fences do work if you spend at least a week, many hours a day, supervising the dog, walking the parameters, warning BEFORE he gets zapped (very lightly). If you set the zap too high chances are your dog will be so spooked (and hurt!) that he just bolts across the boundary and won't dare come back in.

Personally, I am not a big friend of invisible fences. They work better with older dogs that already have a good amount of training and are living with the family. Expecting to let a dog lose that has always been chained and have it mind the fence automatically is dooming the dog. He has no idea why pain is suddenly inflicted on him at random times and will either get so depressed he quits moving or he will bolt right through. Since he doesn't know why and when the pain happens, he can't control it and it means nothing but torture to him.