Not only will your dog enjoy having space to run around in the dog run, it ensures you have peace of mind knowing that your pet is safe.

A larger breed of dog will require a larger dog kennel and dog run than a smaller dog, naturally, but you might also want to take into account the material it is built of and how tall it is.

Dog kennels and the attached dog runs are built to stand bad weather in winter and to keep your pet dog cool in the summer time.

All the range of dog kennels and dog runs on sale here at Ideas-4-Pets are strong enough to stand wear and tear from the bad weather we endure over our winter months.

Our dog kennels and dog runs are also weather proofed to ensure your pet is kept dry and comfortable while you are away from home.

The dog runs which are attached to the dog kennels are fitted with a roof so your pet can enjoy being out without getting his coat wet.

Any of the products offered on our website can be placed in a shady area of your garden or your back yard.

We at Ideas-4-Pets are here to help you choose the correct dog kennels and dog runs for your pet.

Labradors have the reputation of being a very mellow breed and an excellent family dog and generally get on well with other animals but it’s worth noting that their fun-loving boisterousness and lack of fear may require training and firm handling at times to ensure it does not get out of hand.  As you can imagine, an uncontrolled adult can be cause a lot of problems.

Labradors mature at about three years of age and before this time they show quite a high degree of puppyish energy which has often been mislabelled as being hyperactive. Because of their enthusiasm, traing the labrador to be good on the lead should be done early to prevent them pulling when they are fully grown. Labradors love to chase and  retrieve a ball endlessly and also enjoy lots of other forms of activity such as agility training, frisby throwing and playing in the water or swimming. They are considerably “food and fun” oriented, very trainable with patience and love new things.  They thrive on human attention, affection and interaction and can sometimes find it difficult to get enough !!

If you have a labrador you will also note how wet and dirty they can get when you take them out because they love the water and the freedom of the fields.  It’s a good idea to invest in a waterproof dog bed for either outside in his dog kennel or indoors to keep your furnishings clean.  A dog run in the garden will also allow you dog to play and exercise whilst you are at work.

Labradors are generally not noise or territorial, although they will sometimes bark at noise, especially a degree of “alarm barking” when there is noise from unseen sources.  They are more often very easygoing and trusting with strangers and because of this are not usually suitable as guard dogs.

The English Cocker Spaniel comes in at No. 2 and is a breed of gun dog.  Cockers have coats of many colours such as black, black and tan, black and white, black white and tan (tricolour), blue roan, blue tick, blue roan and tan, silver, chocolate, chocolate and tan, chocolate and white, chocolate white and tan, chocolate roan, chocolate roan and tan, sable, copper red, red, gold, buff, red roan, red and white, apricot, orange, orange and white, orange roan, lemon, lemon and white and lemon roan.

Cockers are renowned for their stubborn temper but they can easily be trained and make a good medium-sized family pet as they have a happy disposition and continuously wag their tails. They are noted for their optimism, intelligence, working ability and adaptability.

However, some of them can also show dominance and they don’t like being left on their own. Although they  bond well with family members, they sometimes tend to bond strongly to one individual person within the family to whom they will be very loyal.

In at No. 3 is the Springer Spaniel.  A typical Springer Spaniel is an intelligent, friendly, eager to please, quick to learn and willing to obey. It generally makes an affectionate and easy-going family dog and its alertness and attentiveness also make it the ideal hunting companion.

English Springers need plenty of exercise in order to run off their excess energy. Its long-legs make it among the fastest of the spaniel breed and although these dogs can be over excitable, adequate walking and exercise can prevent this.

In general, the Springer is good with other pets in the home like cats or even ferrets but it has been noted that some English Springers might not be suitable for homes with pet birds due to their natural hunting instinct and so would need extra training in this area. As with any other breed, dogs must become accustomed to other pets and it’s usually better to introduce the pets when they are both very young.

Their coat comes in black or liver (dark brown) with white markings or predominantly white with black or liver markings; Blue or liver roan; Tricolour: black and white or liver and white with tan markings, usually found on eyebrows, cheeks, inside of ears and under the tail. Any white portion of the coat may be flecked with ticking.

In general, English Springer Spaniels are energetic, cheerful, happy dogs but as with many playful dogs or hunting dogs bred as retrievers, these dogs will play with things as simple as empty plastic bottles, socks, or towels so must be watched in order to prevent them hurting themselves or damaging your property. The Springer can easily remember where such things are kept and are good at getting them out so they also need a lot of regular exercise and mental stimulation to prevent them from doing this.

If you have to leave the Springer alone then a dog run outside or a dog kennel in the garden will be ideal so long as you leave him plenty of toys to play with.  A waterproof dog bed would also be a good buy as they are easily kept clean and fresh.

Roaming dogs are not something that I would support and for good reason.  My friend was bitten by a neighbour’s dog when she was a child.  She had been riding her bike but was knocked off her bike and fell into the road when a German Shepherd dog jumped her from behind en route to school.  Thankfully she wasn’t badly hurt but she was not a pretty sight and the whole experience was very scary for both of us !!

Not only that, but I am sure we have all heard about dogs suffering and dying after being hit by cars or bicycles.  A few years ago my own dog, who was an old and very gentle border collie cross, was attacked by a large roaming dog for doing nothing more than walking past !!  Farmers often tell of finding their sheep or lambs lying dead and torn in the fields having been attacked by roaming dogs and not only is this is a distressing sight but the farmers are within their rights at lambing time to shoot the guilty dogs.

Do you think that your dog would lead a happier life being left to stray around the streets or across the countryside?  Maybe in the short term, but probably not for very long.

Roaming dogs risk deadly encounters with cars, buses,  irate farmers and even your neighbours as well as injury to themselves by other animals and some livestock.  I have seen a dog kicked for many yards by an angry cow and the dog was very badly shaken up and bruised by the experience.  Roaming dogs can bite people, cause car and bike accidents, kill livestock, wildlife and even other pets.  Your dog also risks being impounded and you could receive a hefty fine.  You might even find yourself facing litigation.

If you own a dog who likes being outdoors, then why not do the right thing and purchase an outside dog kennel and a dog run.  This way, your dog can smell the freshness of outdoors and be in the open air but he will be safe and contained in his dog run and can shelter from the weather in his dog kennel.

There are plenty of dog runs to choose from – either build your own using galvanised panels which just bolt together and can be added to at any time to provide a dog run to suit your own specific measurements or purchase a read-made dog run which are usually made from dog mesh and are easily constructed in your back garden.

Dog kennels come in different shapes and sizes to suit your particular breed of dog and you can buy an independant  dog kennel to fit inside the dog run or a wooden dog kennel that has a dog run attached.  It might seem an expensive buy to start with but surely it is worth the money in the long run to ensure that your  dog is safe and secure and that you will not have to worry about where he is or if he causing problems or has been hurt.

Throwing your dog a stick when taking your dog for a run in your local park may seem like the right thing to do, but according to this new research, it could be placing your dog in peril.  The academics claim that dogs suffer as many injuries playing fetch with a stick as they do on Britain’s busy roads.

The co-author of the report on chronic and acute “stick injuries” in dogs said that such accidents were also responsible for huge vet bills for dog owners.  He stated that vets found “stick injuries” one of the most frustrating kinds of injuries to dogs.  Many of the injuries are minor but some are horrific.  Apparently they range from minor scratches to the skin or lining of the dog’s mouth, to paralysis of their limbs, life-threatening blood loss and acute and chronic infections.

This is due to the fact that most sticks are not only sharp, but are also very dirty.  That means that when the dog runs on to them or grabs them in its mouth, the end of the stick can easily pierce his skin which can result in the dog penetrating his oesophagus, spinal cord, blood vessels or his neck.

It was also stated that it was common for sticks to break and therefore remain within the dog’s neck which could result in dogs bleeding to death or acquiring fatal infections.

Several dogs involved in the study had died as a result of their stick injury and these deaths almost always involved resistant bacteria and infection that spread from the dog’s neck to his chest.  For owners, the cost of vet bills can be huge with some “stick injuries” costing as much as £5,000 in treatment and still untimately dying.

A dog behaviour expert informed the newspaper that he was delighted to find academic backing for a danger that he had been aware of throughout his 34 years’ experience and stated that he advises everyone not to throw sticks.  He also advised that he was personally aware of dogs that had impaled themselves on sticks.  He said that the stick had gone straight through the soft tissue of the dog’s mouth and killed it instantly.

The dog behaviouralist agreed with the academics that throwing sticks for dogs was a very bad practise.  He reminded readers that if they allow their dogs to pick up sticks, there was a danger that the dog could pick up dirty, dead, contaminated things.  He advised that throwing a frisby or a ball of the right size for the dog to chase was a much better option.  He also advised owners to take greater responsibility for their pets and plan tasks to motivate them.

However, he warned of the dangers of tennis balls which have been known to get stuck in a larger dog’s mouth.  He said that a dog will run at the ball at up to 25mph and take the ball straight in the back of its throat.  If the ball is too small, then the dog can swallow it or the ball can get stuck in the back of the dog’s mouth.

He also advised that there had been cases reported of dogs mutilating their owner who was trying to get the ball off them and so he encouraged owners to purchase an over-sized ball to reduce this problem.

Firstly, consider the expense.  A dog is for life and he will rely on you totally for his every need.  For instance, he will need a good quality, comfortable dog bed to sleep in.  He may require a dog cage for training  purposes.  You may want to consider an outdoor dog kennel or a dog run so that he can spend some time outdoors.  He will of course need a collar and lead and you should have him micro chipped in case he runs off.  Will he be travelling in the car with you?  If yes, then you should consider a dog guard to keep him contained in the back of the car.  That way, he will not distract you from your driving or be able to leap around in the car unsecured.  Then there’s the cost of neutering, the cost of vaccinations etc.  Although this is another expense, it is well worth considering insuring your dog as this can take the worry out of paying expensive vet bills should your pet be taken ill or have an accident. 

Secondly, do you consider yourself to be an active and lively person or more of a couch-potato?  Do you want your dog to be a loving companion who will sit on your knee when you sit and watch TV or do you prefer a dog with boundless energy who will run over the moors and fields with you at any given opportunity.

You should always ask yourself these things because good match between the dog and his owner are essential if you want to have a happy, loving relationship with your dog.

Take some of the following examples into consideration before making your final decision.

Some dogs are friendly with humans whether the humans are part of the family group or strangers.  Other dogs are fine within the family group but are reserved or uneasy with strangers.  Some dogs love to play with toys and others show no interest in toys at all but love a good, long walk.  Some dogs love to make friends with other dogs whilst others are totally uninterested or downright aggressive with other dogs.  Some dogs will get on fine with cats and other family pets, others may not give them the time of day and there are some dogs who will not tolerate another pets in the house.  Some dogs are particularly affectionate and want stroking whenever possible and others will be aloof and only give you their time when they wants to share it!!

ideas-4-pets would advise you to find out as much information as you can about the different breeds of pedigree dogs there are, together with lists of reputable breeders.  Find out if there is a canine welfare organisation or  rescue society in your area as they always have dogs and puppies available that need good homes. Pedigree and crossbred dogs can be obtained in this way from organisations such as The Dogs Trust, The Blue Cross and all the other different breed rescue societies.  Your local Veterinary surgery is also an excellent source of information and the staff there will give you general guidance on what you should do once you have made your choice.

What to look for:

A pedigree puppy is usually more predictable with regards to its future character and size than a crossbreed, but pedigree pups can be expensive.  If you do buy a pedigree then make sure that the puppy is registered with the Kennel Club and ask the breeder for the Kennel Club registration certificate.  If they do not have one ready for you, ensure that the breeder undertakes in writing to forward it to you as soon as it is received from the Kennel Club.  You will then be able to transfer your puppy into your name from that of the breeder and receive all the benefits associated with Kennel Club registration.

A crossbreed dog is not as expensive to buy and can a loving pet, but try to find out as much as you can about its parents so that you can gauge what type of dog you have purchased.  Whether you decide on a pedigree or a crossbreed, always ask which vaccinations your puppy has had and which ones are still required.

Remember to register your new puppy with your local vet as soon as possible and ask advice on health, micro chipping, vaccinations, diet etc.  Certain breeds of dog can suffer from inherited conditions but your local vet should be able to advise you on these conditions and will help you to detect and monitor them. It is really important that you are aware of these conditions and know the right questions to ask before buying a puppy. There are also some DNA tests available which you may want to take advantage of.

Always buy direct from the breeder and ask to see the mother of the puppy as she will provide a good indication as to how the puppy will develop.  If buying a pedigree dog always go to a specialist breeder, never go to a dealer as they usually advertise several breeds of dog and these dogs may have been obtained from various sources so their health and condition may be difficult to determine.  Some new owners agree the right to return the puppy to the breeder if things do not work out but this can sometimes be hard to do as you tend to  build up a strong bond with the pup immediately

It is wise to arrange for a veterinary inspection of the puppy soon after you have purchased him.  Make sure you receive full care instructions from the breeder (dietary requirements, pedigree, a copy of any health screening certificates for the parents if applicable etc.) and the Kennel Club registration certificate if this is applicable.

What to look for if you intend to purchase an adult dog:

If you are buying from a breeder, find out why this particular dog is for sale.  Go and see the dog in its home environment before making a final decision.  If you buy your dog from a welfare or rescue organisation, be prepared to be questioned and possibly expect a home inspection. 
Dogs in welfare or rescue organisations have very often suffered from neglect and ill treatment in their early lives so it is the first priority of these organisations to ensure that the dogs in their care will spend the remainder of their lives in good, caring and suitable homes. 

Each breed of dog has its own characteristics, but if you match these characteristics with your own personality and lifestyle it is much more likely that you will have a happy and fulfilling relationship with your dog that will bring you both joy for many years.

We had an enquiry the other day frm a lady who worked full-time and was worried about her dog being left alone all day in the house on his own.  She used to get up early every morning to take her dog for a decent walk in the park before leaving him all day and admittedly, she left the radio on to keep him company, but she felt that it was not enough to stimulate her dog and she felt guilty at leaving him for long periods of time on his own.

She’d thought about an outdoor dog kennel, but wasn’t happy about him being free to run and dig in her well-kept garden and was also worried about him getting out into the road if someone opened the gate, or even worse – having him pinched !!  The thought of chaining him to the kennel didn’t feel right either, so she was in a dilemma.

She looked on the web and came across ideas-4-pets and saw our selection of dog runs.  Some of them had dog kennels attached and others were big enough to allow a dog kennel inside the dog run. 

After speaking to our staff several times, she settled on a dog run which allowed her to place a smaller dog kennel inside it and the dog run  also had the option of a waterproof cover to protect her dog from the rain.  She easily set up the dog run and the kennel in her garden and placed her dog’s favourite toys inside the run.  She bought a waterproof dog bed for inside his kennel and now goes to work happy in the knowledge that her dog is outside in the fresh air, has cover in the run and can keep snug and warm in his kennel.  Her garden is still neat and tidy and her dog is kept entertained by the sights and sounds he can hear in the garden.  He is one happy dog who still looks forward to his owner coming home in the evening and going for a walk, but during the day he is no longer bored and fed up, he plays with his toys in the dog run and sleeps in his dog kennel when he’s had enough.

Because there is no-one in the house to pet him and talk to him as his owners are out at work he is looks for things to do to fill in the time before his owners return home.  Some dogs like to lie on the back of the sofa and watch the world go by.  They love to bark at passers-by and other dogs or cats that he can see from his vantage point but other dogs are shut in the kitchen and see or hear no-one for hours on end.

An outside dog run can be a huge help both for you and your dog.  Built from galvanised panels so that they will not rust, they are easily constructed with nuts and bolts and can provide your dog with an ideal place to “do his own thing”.  They are supplied with roofs to keep off the sun or the rain and all you have to supply is a concrete base to fix it to.  You can place a dog kennel either on the inside or outside of the dog run so that your dog has adequate shelter to rest and sleep in.

From the dog run, he will be able see what’s going on in his garden and if you fill the dog run with his favourite toys before you go to work, he won’t get bored and won’t have the opportunity to chew your home to pieces !!  That means that you will be able to go to work with peace of mind knowing that your dog is safe and secure but that you will find your home just as you left it when you return at the end of the day.  Your dog will love smelling the fresh air knowing that if it gets cold or wet he has his dog kennel to keep him snug and warm.

ideas-4-pets have an excellent choice of dog runs to suit most pockets, whether you want to have a flat-packed, ready to assemble dog run or prefer to purchase the individual galvanised panels to build a dog run to suit your own design.  ideas-4-pets also supply a good selection of dog kennels and waterproof bedding so your dog needn’t feel wet and miserable in the rain.