Building a Dog Run: Tips and Tricks for the Twin Falls, ID Dog Owner

Owning a dog is a real treat--just don't say that word out loud! We love our four-legged friends, and we are onboard with the increasing popularity of the backyard dog run in residential areas. Some advantages of having a dog run in your yard include: 

• Having a designated area for your pup to do their business, making cleaning up after them easier
• Giving your dog its own space to run around, play, and sleep that's separate from the family's lounging space
• A dog run provides a safe place for your doggo to expend energy and be active without being under your constant supervision. Adequate exercise is crucial to a dog's happiness and health.

There are a number of things that need to be considered when you're deciding where in your yard the dog run should be; while many families choose to use the side yard for a dog run, here are a few more things that you should keep in consideration: 

• Is there a section of your yard where there's a dog door so your good boy or girl can freely come in and out? 
• Which parts of your yard would be in direct sunlight all day? If your dog will spend a good portion of the day outside and getting a lot of sun, you will need to consider whether to add a roof to part of it to provide shade, or consider ways to keep your furry friend hydrated. 
• How big is your dog? Most dog runs should be long enough to allow your dog to sprint up and down the length of it; that's what allows them to get in good exercise. A rectangular shape is advisable, but the bigger the dog, the longer the run should be. 
• What's your relationship with your neighbors? While your yard is your own, if your dog loves to bark at the neighbor kids or cat, you may not want to install your dog run along that property line, even if there's a privacy fence.

It's recommended to provide flooring in your dog run to keep things clean and neat; concrete and mulch are popular materials to use for this purpose. If you choose to use mulch, remember that it will need to be replenished and occasionally replaced entirely to eliminate odors and maintain a sanitary standard. 

Most clients choose to enclose the dog run with a chain link fence as it allows their pup to see what's going on in the yard, which your dog will love especially if your kids love playing in the yard. Many families also install a gate or two to allow easy access from the dog run into the yard, or from the dog run to the front yard if you're likely to take your dog on walks starting from the dog run. 

Installing a dog run is an awesome way to give your dog a little bit of independence and a place to let all the zoomies out. At Certified Fencing, we are happy to help with your fence installation needs here in Twin Falls, Idaho.