Thoughts on dog area... please

[JD230511]

I have a 16'x30' fenced off for the dog. He dont like the inside to well so he stays outside. My problem is he has wore the grass down and when is rains it turns to mudd. Wont get in the dog house cause he tracked mudd in it. So he will lean against the barn and sleep!! I thought I could get some gravel, small stuff like pea gravel and cover the area in that. I moved him to the barn for now. Is this a good ideal?? or is there something else I could get and use??


Thanks for all your thoughts and opions..

P.S. sorry I cant spell worth a crap

 

[teg]

How about putting down wood chips or mulch? My dog loves to roll in fresh mulch... smells much better than the other crap he rolls in (pun, most definitely, intended!!!)

 

[dmccarty]

As Teg said, mulch/wood chips.

My county sells the stuff for $4-5 a yard in the spring. Mulch would be easier to clean up when picking up the dog mess compared to rock.

If the dog likes to dig, put down some chicken wire or fencing then dump the mulch.

Later,
Dan

 

[forgeblast]

what about some astro turf you could hose it down and it would be green.

 

[EarPlug]

Dog Run Base Material

 

[wdchyd]

My furry kids have patio blocks down in there kennel......the outside run (cable) is just on the lawn, and other than the occasional doggy digging confused2 the lawn holds up fine cuz they are not out on the run but a few hours a day....

In hindsight I would've placed the patio (cheap concrete) blocks an inch apart and filled in the grooves with small stones to help rinsing off the blocks....

When I take out the dogs for a run in the woods I saturate it with bleach/water at least once a week, then rinse if neccessary (sometimes I just let it dry on)

I great upside is that there's no need for me to clip their nails as the rough stones whittle them for me....I've never had to clip nails..

 

[RobertBrown]

I personally would not consider a dog pen that wasn't on a concrete slab.
Greater up front costs but easier to clean and will keep the dog healthier.

 

[Combustix]

I personally would not consider a dog pen that wasn't on a concrete slab.
Greater up front costs but easier to clean and will keep the dog healthier.

Yep I am with you on this. have a concrete pad. hoses off easily, easy to clean up the doo, all under shelter, had three dogs at one time now down to one, so he has one big kennel 10x18. I let him out most of the time when I'm around the house then back into the kennel for the night.

 

[wdchyd]

Another thought for the OP'r is the kennel flooring stuff that snaps together....it would seem like a good alternative to the mud...

KennelDeck Kennel Deck Flooring for Cage or Kennel | Bass Pro Shops

 

[JD230511]

Lots of great ideas. I have to watch what I spend for a while, in a few months I will have another mouth to feed!!! Girlfriend is pregnant due May 7th. I really like the concrete ideal but I know she would kill me right now if I did that. Maybe in a few years!!!

 

[sixdogs]

I personally would not consider a dog pen that wasn't on a concrete slab.
Greater up front costs but easier to clean and will keep the dog healthier.

Concrete pad is the best path. Concrete pads 12" x 12" or 18" x 18" is next best. last is a fabric that will allow water to flow though and covered with gravel. Have tied them all.
Another option is to put the dog on a wire run so they don't track up the same spot or an invisble fence for same reason. Also keep dogs feet hair trimmed and nails properly trimmed.

 

[randy41]

is one side of the dog yard the barn? could you build a small shed roof to cover part of the yard?
we have a big dog yard here but even with that the area right around the dog houses (2) is just dirt. the dog houses are under the deck and that portion of the deck is covered so at least that area isn't muddy.

 

[JD230511]

Update.... I put 5 tons of gravel #73 in the area. And I will see how that's works out. At 47.12 for the gravel I can't complain.