Have you ever noticed that dog backwards is God? I have, and that’s why I’ve taken it upon myself to write this guide on how to make your dog’s kennel, the best it can be. After all, I wouldn’t want to risk the wrath of dog.

My dog likes to follow me everywhere when I’m at home and if like me, you plan on spending as much time as me in the garden this summer, than no doubt your dog will too. My dog loves the summer; all those smells, the long walks in the country and of course, the heat. My little Jack Russell, loves the sun, but unfortunately, the sun and more specifically heat stroke can be very dangerous for a dog, even lethal. No doubt, you will be looking after your self: keeping in the shade, drinking lots of water, using layers of sunscreen and wearing a good hat. Sadly, hats for dogs are only hilarious and fun, rather than safe or practical. This is where a Dog Kennel becomes very useful indeed.

A good dog Kennel, placed in your garden can provide ample shade for a dog, while allowing them to still feel close by your side. The trouble I had with my dog was that she just didn’t seem excited by it and rarely used it. I assume this is probably down to the luxuries she experiences indoors. Imagine it this way: You sleep in a very large and extremely comfortable bed that’s designed especially for you; everything you come in contact with, or can sit on is soft and cosy and then all of a sudden, you have to sit in a wooden box, all day long. Now, that suddenly sounds like an anti-kennel argument, but it isn’t, it’s an argument, which shows that making your dog’s kennel more appealing, is a very good idea indeed.

So what would these things be?

1) The first things to think of are the basics. One of the most important of which, is water. Water is one of the most vital things any living thing needs and is extremely important during warmer temperatures. One of the most common misconceptions about dogs is that they do not sweat. They do in fact, sweat through their foot pads, although the amount of heat lost this way is minimal. As most dog owners will know, the main way a dog will keep cool is by panting. This works by drawing in cool air, which passes over the tongue and enters the lungs, helping them to expel warm air and heat. Dogs need water to keep this cycle working. By drinking water they help keep their mouths moist and cool, as well as keeping hydrated.

The simplest way to provide your dog with water is by providing them with a dog bowl filled with water. You’ll probably want to actually put this bowl in the Kennel, because the shade a Kennel provides will help keep the water cool. I would recommend a ceramic dog bowl for use in your Kennel rather than a plastic or stainless steel bowl. This is because ceramic bowls are more heat resistant than stainless steel, which would heat up rather quickly. Plastic is also known to leak chemicals when left in places of high temperatures or direct sunlight, which is why; during the summer I would recommend that you pour any bottled water you drink into another container such as a glass. If you choose a ceramic bowl, keep your eye out for minor cracks that could contain bacteria that could potentially make your dog ill.

2) The next thing I would think about is comfort. From my experience a dog always like to lie on something soft. So it seems pretty simple that you will want to put some sort of bed, or pillow in the kennel. This could be one that your dog already has some sort of attachment to, to make them feel more comfortable, or you could opt for one that is more suitable for use outdoors. When looking for a dog bed outdoors you want to find one that is specifically designed to repel water. Many of these have covers that are made out of Polyester or Acrylic (or some variation, or combination of each) with special interiors that don’t clump or degrade if water does manage to get in. Some of these do tend to be quite expensive, but can also be used indoors, so you aren’t just buying something that will only be used during nice weather. Bear in mind, that just because something costs more, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the quality of the product will be relative. There are a lot of brands out there and you should always ask for an expert’s advice on the products they stock, when you visit the pet store.

3) The next factor is one that takes into consideration, your needs as well as your dog’s; the design of the Kennel. A lot of this depends on what breed of dog you own. For example because I own a Jack Russell I can allow a smaller Kennel that does not take up much room in my garden. Owners of larger dogs, such as Great Danes or Weimaraners will need considerably larger Kennels. Ultimately though, the kind of Kennel you choose for your dog is up to you. I personally prefer a Gable roof Kennel, which is the typical Kennel, most people will think of when the image of a Kennel enters their mind. There are other types available; some with cages, some with doors, some that are terraced and some that look like igloos.

Whichever you choose, I would recommend wood. Wood absorbs water to regulate its moisture levels and can naturally breathe. This means that wood is extremely efficient at regulating temperature within a structure – meaning your dog’s kennel will stay nice and cool inside. Make sure that when setting up your kennel that it is either placed on a suitable moisture free surface or that it is raised, so that the wood cannot absorb moisture from the ground.

You will want to protect your Kennel from damage as well, just to make sure it lasts long time. You’ll want to think about which you choose because it can be difficult to mix finishes. For instance, if you wax or oil your kennel, it can be difficult to then paint and since this article is about customising your kennel I’m going to talk about what you can get from the different ways of ‘finishing’ your Kennel.

If you decide to wax, oil or varnish your dog’s Kennel, you will end up with a nice clean, natural look, which is both simple and elegant. This look will suit most gardens and is also a safe bet for those of you that feel painting a design may not be for you. Be careful which products you use as Varnish for example, can have some smelly or toxic fumes and you have to consider that your dog will be inside of this kennel where the fumes may still be strong.

My personal preference for my dog’s kennel is to paint it. I consider my self quite creative; I’ve always been interested in painting, so I like to have fun. There are various types of outdoor paint you can buy now that can do the same job as varnishes or oils do and are generally not too expensive. If your not too sure of how you want to paint your Kennel I would suggest doing a few drawings first, thinking up any patterns or shapes you may want to paint onto it. These patterns could be simple; like a chequered design, stripes, polka dots, clouds or even lots of bones! My favourites are patterns that match your dog, like spots for a Dalmatian.

If patterns aren’t for you, then you could always try a solid colour such as red. Paintings the details a different colour could also look nice if they were white? You could even try a little Tudor house – painted all white with a black trim. It really is up to you! The best thing about customising your dog’s Kennel is that it can become a really fun, summer project for you and/or your kids. Just remember to have fun and that a dog covered in paint has disaster written all over it. It sure is funny though.