How to make an aviary for a large dog with your own hands

So, you decided to build a dog enclosure with your own hands.

It is not possible to locate housing for your faithful friend everywhere. It is advisable to place the aviary on the site, subject to the following conditions:

away from passing cars;
not on the border with neighbors;
not close to the compost pit;
close to home.

The dog must see the owner's house. A distant location can result in sleepless nights - the dog will howl and whine. She definitely needs to be in a place for a better view. This is due to its nature. A dog must protect its owner. The place is chosen to be level and dry. Groundwater should not flow there in the spring. It is necessary to take into account the possibility of ice and snow falling off the roof.

Choice of shape and size

To build a dog enclosure with your own hands, you should choose the appropriate size based on the available space. The enclosure can be made of any size, but you should take into account the breed of the pet. In the case of a large dog, a spacious room will be required; for a medium-sized dog, a small area is suitable.

Calculation of the size of the enclosure

You need to calculate the size taking into account the following data:

if the size of the dog at the withers is up to 50 cm, 6 m2 will be required;
from 50 to 65 cm you will need an area of 8 m2;
from 65 cm and above, a dog will need at least 10 m2.

Dog apartments must have three necessary zones. A place to rest is definitely needed. Usually this is a booth. There the dog will hide from the sun or cold. There must be a feeding area. It needs to be made as convenient as possible. The dog should easily move along the enclosure and monitor the area and the house. Before building an enclosure for a dog with your own hands, you first need to make a drawing, taking into account the required zones, and calculating the size.

We are building an aviary

Drathaars are adapted for running over rough terrain, so it is not recommended to make the floor in the enclosure asphalt or covered with paving stones. A lawn or gravel surface is ideal for flooring.

More complete material on building an enclosure for a draathar can be found here.

The dog needs to keep his muscles in good shape and 10 square meters of enclosure area will be enough for him. As we already wrote above, one of the walls of the enclosure is made blank, and the rest are covered with chain-link. If the pet had enough shade over the enclosure, you can install a canopy.

Choosing material

Dog housing is made in different ways, using different materials, but wood or mesh attached around the perimeter is usually used. These materials are quite reliable for indoor use and for keeping animals. The dog will constantly jump on the walls, so the requirements for strength are increased.

To choose the right material you need to consider some features:

If the floors are made of boards, then they need to be raised 10 centimeters from the ground and painted on the outside to protect them from moisture. The inside of the boards cannot be painted. This may affect the pet's health.
The roof must be built from any materials that do not allow leakage.
The structure of the room must be calculated without unnecessary gaps between the side wall and the roof. Don't forget about the visor.

Budget flooring in three weekends

AlexIll22FORUMHOUSE user

The need for flooring arose after an adult dog’s back knees began to hurt from lying on a cold slab; dog lovers will understand.

The spring was spent monitoring relevant resources for suitable designs - what they are, what can be made from, what design will fit into the overall style. With the arrival of warm days, the craftsman moved from theory to practice - making wooden flooring.

The frame was used with logs left over from Euro pallets. As supports for the part lying on the ground, I poured concrete pillars with a diameter of 110 mm, and used a metal pin (10 mm) for fastening.

To prevent the frame from absorbing moisture from the concrete slabs, AlexIll22 laid out an advertising banner, raised the frame above the ground and brought out the plane using ordinary stacked ceramic tiles.

The logs were treated with bioprotection and covered with special paint, the frame was assembled on metal corners, and the perimeter was illuminated using a regular LED Christmas tree garland.

The flooring itself was assembled from planed spruce boards, treated on all sides with bioprotection, covered with two layers of wear-resistant wood paint and one layer of protective wax impregnation.

AlexIll22

It is this impregnation that gives the feeling of “plastic” on the wood, and there are no marks left on it from the claws of my living creatures, which is a good indicator of wear resistance.

I used 2×45 mm yellow self-tapping screws as fasteners. Black ones, more often used for wood, were not satisfied with the appearance and carving right up to the head. The gaps between the planks were 4-6 mm, the distance from the wall was 10 mm.

The protective wax gel with which the decking is coated really protects - after about a month after application, the coating “stood up”, there are no traces of dog claws even with a sharp start or braking. The craftsman is pleased with both the decorative effect and the protective properties.

Building a wooden enclosure

It’s worth taking a closer look at how to make an enclosure for a dog with your own hands, using wood and mesh. The work must be completed in several stages: building a reliable foundation, installing the floor, erecting walls, covering the roof.

For construction you will need the following tools:

grinder or jigsaw;
hammer;
chisel;
screwdriver

When building an enclosure, it is necessary to perform each stage of work efficiently. The reliability of the entire structure and the pet’s comfortable stay in it depend on this. It is important that all fastenings are made with high quality. This will protect guests who visit the house from the dog. She shouldn't have a chance to get out at the wrong time.

You should start by building a foundation. To do this, you must first note its location. For an enclosure, you do not need to fill it completely. It is enough to set a few reference points.

Foundation for an aviary

It is necessary to make holes in the ground about 30 centimeters deep. Fill this area with fine crushed stone, compact it and fill it with concrete. The floor joists will be attached to the support points. Inside the support points, you can put steel inserts with holes for installing beams.

The second stage in building a dog enclosure with your own hands is the construction of the base and floor. It is necessary to prepare the bars, adjusted to the required size. You will need a grinder, which is easier to do this. In the center of the bars, a recess should be made to install transverse supports. They are installed lengthwise and then crosswise.

The place for attaching the cross beams must be on a concrete base. It is necessary to install the crossbars, placing them inside the prepared recesses. They must be secured with a screwdriver. The next step will be installing the floor. The boards should be laid tightly, without large gaps between them. After this, the boards should be sanded to eliminate unevenness.

When building an enclosure, you need a frame to make walls. The supports must be installed vertically. For reliability, support rails are installed at the fastening points. They are mounted at an angle of 45 degrees. Roof joists must be installed at a slight slope to allow precipitation and snow to melt away.

The frame lining can be made of different materials. As an option, OSB sheets are used, which are not installed along the entire perimeter, but only on the back and side walls. The front part is covered with another material. For a presentable appearance, the enclosure is lined with wooden clapboard or other lumber. In such work, a jigsaw will be useful, with the help of which the slats will be adjusted to the desired size. The lining is nailed with a hammer to the OSB sheets.

Installing grilles on the front wall requires special attention. The dog will often jump on the bars. Particular care should be taken to connect the joints. They are securely fixed to the base. If there are two rooms in it, then the mesh sheets are fixed at the location of the dividing wall. It is necessary to take care of the door with a reliable bolt.

Different materials are suitable for the roof of a building. The main condition is reliable fixation and no leaks.

When making a dog enclosure with your own hands, you will need additional tools that make working with wood very easy. Then the work will go faster and easier. You may need: an electric planer, a circular saw and other tools.

Types of dog enclosures

Depending on where the enclosure will be located, indoor and outdoor species are distinguished. The type that is suitable for the pet is selected based on the capabilities of the yard, climatic conditions, breed, gender and age of the animal.

With the right approach, an aviary can become a decoration of the yard

Outdoor housing for large dogs

The outdoor enclosure serves as a full-fledged home for the animal. The main functions that an outdoor enclosure for dogs should perform:

protecting your pet from bad weather;
restriction of territory for free walking;
satisfying the animal's need for a home;
ensuring the dog's safety.

Rough plan

To shelter your pet from rain or snow, be sure to make a canopy or roof, not relying only on a booth. If the precipitation is quite heavy and long-lasting, the animal will be able to stay in a shelter that is not limited to one square meter. Winter enclosures must be solid so that the dog does not freeze. Different heating systems are often used.

Not all owners are delighted with the idea that the dog will be able to roam freely around the property without restrictions. Large breeds can be a nuisance. The aviary solves this problem completely. The pet can stay inside around the clock with rare walks outside the territory, and sometimes the owners lock the dog only at night or when they expect strangers to come into the house.

Indoor outdoor aviary made of wood

One of the main requirements for dog housing is the availability of a walk. This is a spacious, uncluttered outdoor area to which the animal has free access. An enclosure with a walk allows the dog not to be cooped up all day. If you have a walk, it is convenient to train your pet.

Dogs are pets. They need a kennel and a territory that they are trusted to protect. A spacious enclosure for a large dog is not perceived as a cage; the pet is quite comfortable, but only if construction standards are observed.

When constructing enclosures for large dogs, wood or metal is usually used. These materials are strong enough to withstand the pressure of an adult animal; in addition, if the operating standards are observed, such a playpen will last a long time.

Shelter for two animals

Home shelters for dogs

An enclosure for a dog at home is simply necessary if:

your pet has puppies;
There is an indoor breed dog living in the apartment;
other animals or small children appeared in the house.

A pregnant bitch needs a secluded place where she can be sure of the safety of her offspring. An indoor aviary could become such a place. In addition, slightly older puppies are very active and often, while playing, tear, break and gnaw everything that catches their eye. Before the puppies are given to new owners, it makes sense to keep them in a playpen.

Often in apartments you can find enclosures for small dogs. Living in such a “house”, the animal gets used to the fact that food, a place for the toilet, and a bed are always in one place. When the habit is developed, the dog will not leave marks in different corners of the room, but will get used to order.

If your beloved dog considers itself the master of the house, then with the appearance of another dog or, for example, a cat, the animal may begin to be jealous, nervous and protest. The same applies to families in which a child was born - sometimes the four-legged guest does not immediately react adequately. To protect the new residents of the house and help the animal adapt to new conditions, it is advisable to set up an enclosure for the dog at home.

A simple dog enclosure looks like a fence that can be installed anywhere in the room, and, if necessary, moved or assembled. This playpen will be comfortable for puppies who cannot get out or jump over the fence. While their mother will freely enter or exit the playpen.

Puppies will be safe, as will your property.

The cage cage limits the space for the animal not only on the sides, but also on the top. It is impossible for a dog to get out of such an enclosure on its own. They are used for short-term keeping of medium breeds or for permanent residence of small pets.

An aviary in an apartment is most often made of wood, metal or plastic. Designs and sizes vary, but there must be space for eating and drinking. Small dogs and puppies need a litter box inside the enclosure.

Chain-link mesh enclosure

There are some conditions for making a mesh enclosure. It must provide protection from wind and rain, and there must be a roof on it. The best option is to install an enclosure near outbuildings or against the wall of a house. It will reliably protect him from the wind.

It is necessary to choose a suitable mesh for such a construction. The aviary must meet the following requirements:

The grid cells should be small. So that the dog cannot stick his paw into them.
Only hard wire is suitable. Otherwise, the pet will be able to straighten it and get out.
It needs to be placed deep in the ground so that the dog is deprived of the chance to dig under it.
The wall must be made solid. Gaps in front of the ceiling are not allowed.
The door should only open inward, otherwise the dog will be able to open it.

Jewelry in the form of forging is unacceptable. This may harm the animal. It’s a good idea to plant a bush or tree near the enclosure. The plant will create shade to shelter the dog in hot weather. Construction mesh is not suitable for making an enclosure. It has reduced strength and many protruding joints that can injure the dog.

If a welded mesh is used for the enclosure, it is better to take one treated with a polymer coating. This will protect the mesh from corrosion.

It is necessary to consider the character of the dog before choosing an aviary net. If she is aggressive, or on the contrary, too playful, she will often jump on her. If the dog is heavy, the mesh may not be able to support it. Then it is better to look at another option that is more reliable. A mesh enclosure is suitable for calm or medium-sized dogs.

So, let's look at how to make an enclosure for a dog with your own hands, using a chain-link mesh. To arrange it you will need a set of materials:

pipes 2.2 meters long – 7 pcs.

hole drill;
shovel;
screws;
metal drill;
cement and sand.

Before construction, it is necessary to dig 7 holes around the perimeter of the proposed fence, 50 cm deep. Next, the work will be carried out in the following sequence:

Pipes 2.2 meters long are placed in the recesses. This will not be easy to do. To do this, you will need a special tool that allows you to place them in the ground by twisting them. It fits onto the pipe. With rotational movements, it is gradually screwed into the ground. It should be leveled, constantly checking the position. It is convenient to use a magnetic level that is attached to the pipe. It immediately shows whether it is standing straight or whether it needs to be tilted to the side.
Compacting the soil is also important. The pit is filled with gravel, and with the help of a wooden block the pipe is positioned in the desired position. All pipes are installed in the shape of a rectangle. After installing the pipe, the recess is filled with cement mortar. It is mixed with sand in a ratio of 1 part cement to 3 parts sand and water.
It is necessary to take a net and cover the pillars around the entire perimeter, leaving an opening for the gate. The mesh should be stretched tightly, without sagging. There are three ways to secure the mesh: using screws, welding or hooks. Finally, you need to install the door. It will have to be made in advance by welding.
Chain-link mesh is a good option for such a building, if additionally reinforced with metal frames. This option will be more reliable. First you need to make such frames from metal profiles. The mesh is welded to them. Then the frames are attached to the pillars one by one.

What material is best to make a booth from?

The owner of the animal himself determines the size of the structure and its location. First, the material for construction is selected. Next, calculate the need for building materials.

You need to decide which materials are suitable for creating a pet’s home and which are not:

Materials coated with varnish or paint heat up in the sun and emit an unpleasant odor. Can cause allergies in animals.
Metal structures cause discomfort to the animal in hot and cold seasons. The metal heats up in the sun and the kennel will be too hot. In winter, your pet will be very cold in such housing.
You should not make a slate roof. This material is harmful to the health of both humans and animals.
It is better to avoid insulation with polystyrene foam, polyurethane or various types of compressed wool. These materials emit odors, which reduces your pet’s sense of smell and reduces allergies.
A box made of pressed wooden panels quickly loses strength, and in winter it may even fall apart.

After making the booth, it must be carefully inspected. Under no circumstances should self-tapping screws, nails or wood burrs stick out inside. Sharp protruding objects can injure your pet.

To make housing for dogs, boards made from coniferous trees are best suited: pine, spruce, cedar. To insulate the kennel, natural materials are used that will not cause allergies in the animal. The roof is made of metal or ondulin. A mattress filled with sawdust or straw is placed on the floor; the animal will sleep comfortably and warmly on such a bedding.

Read also: How to keep bees for beginners

Interior arrangement of the enclosure

Zoning the enclosure
When arranging an enclosure for a dog with your own hands, it is important to decorate its interior. The dog must have all the conditions for a normal life. Part of the territory can be left untouched. The dog will walk there. To rest your pet, you will need a flooring or platform where she can rest. It may be wooden. Care must be taken to protect it from rotting. It should be coated with a special impregnation.

Part of the area of the enclosure can be laid out using tiles, placing dishes there, creating a feeding area. In the case of an option made from mesh, a booth is required. The dog needs a place to hide from the elements.

DIY drathaar booth

Before starting the construction of a booth for a drathaar, it is necessary to choose the right location, decide on the project and prepare building materials. The place for the dog house should be on a small hill near the fence, from where the entire plot of land can be clearly seen. The fence will provide protection from the wind and provide enough shade on a hot day, and the elevation will not allow excess moisture to accumulate under the bottom of the booth.

Dogs of this breed are quite curious and love to lead an active lifestyle, so the dog will feel comfortable in a booth with a pitched roof installed in the corner of the enclosure. The best building material for a dog house is wood.

Based on this fact, prepare in advance bars 5 to 10 centimeters thick, planed boards that do not have flaws in the form of knots and splinters. To protect the bottom of the dog house, take a sheet of roofing felt. Soft tiles or slate are suitable as roofing materials. If it is expected that the dog will live in his house all year round, then you need to take care of additional insulation of the walls.

Summer aviary

This type of enclosure is more suitable for a dog’s temporary stay on the street. In order not to put the dog on a chain, a temporary structure is quite suitable. You can buy it ready-made or make it yourself. Chain-link or welded mesh is suitable. The main thing is that the pillars are securely held in the ground.

You should think about the height of the walls. When making an enclosure from a mesh, it is necessary to make the walls so high that the dog cannot jump over them. This is especially important when the animal is tied with a chain. In an attempt to jump over the fence, she may get stuck on it, and then tragedy cannot be avoided.

In the summer version, you can make a collapsible flooring from tongue-and-groove boards. It is easy to install and disassemble if necessary. The only condition is that there are no gaps between the boards. This can cause your dog's nails to get stuck between the boards.