[RLHdog]

Hello all,

I first posted here a couple of years ago, trying to learn about potential fencing options for a future first dog. If all goes well, we will finally be bringing home a new furry companion in a few weeks (3-year-old smooth collie). We've determined that we will use a fenced kennel area (probably about 10x15 or 15x15) adjacent to a back door for early a.m./late p.m. potty breaks, and long-leash usage/recall training for the rest of our property, which does not lend itself well to a physical fence for many reasons. However, I am still struggling with some final logistics regarding the dog potty/kennel area, and would love feedback:

-One of the ideal locations for the dog run (I plan to use 6' high welded wire panels that butt up to the house so it acts like a fence) is off a door in our walkout basement. The ground there is fairly flat, and it would be a convenient area to let the dog out, and also have a roof from the deck. I'm really worried about the stink though. I plan to scoop poop regularly, and want to put down some crushed limestone to help neutralize the urine, but suspect that eventually it will stink. How bad of an idea is it to have a dog potty area under or adjacent to a deck where we like to entertain and enjoy dinner in the summer? Stupid?

- Our only other option is off the back door of our garage. This isn't so bad; it's a very shaded spot, not so close to the deck, and I would only need two walls of kennel panels because they would butt up to the L-shape of our garage. However, the ground slopes away from the house there and isn't very even. I could probably get the panels to work, but it's not ideal. Eventually we'd love to bring in a lot of dirt and level it out, but it will be a big project. The dog wouldn't be in the kennel for long periods of time - mostly just as a free-range potty area.

Any suggestions? Notes from experience?

 

[parus]

Direct sunshine is one of the best neutralizers for dog urine smell - in my experience, any dog area that's shaded is going to eventually get stinky, even if you take precautions. I use a Simple Green spray to keep the smell down in my side yard where my dogs usually go, but during the cloudy and damp times of year it doesn't totally keep up.

 

[RLHdog]

Thank you. I think we're going to have to make it work adjacent to the garage, and hopefully rectify the slope eventually.

 

[Jen2010]

Beside the deck probably would not be ideal. That's not something you want to be smelling when you're outside enjoying your deck. Trust me. Even if you scoop regularly, what if the dog decides to go when you're out there entertaining? Plus we all get lazy sometimes and don't scoop as often as we should. Even if it doesn't smell, it's not something you (or your guests) want to see either. I would go with the option by the garage.

 

[3GSD4IPO]

What others said. Not under the deck if you are using the deck. Furthermore, crushed stone of any kind is miserable to clean.

Other than concrete sloped slightly to drain to a French drain along one side that exits elsewhere (you can hose this off), the net best option for under a dog kennel is an actual raised deck over crushed stone with enough space under to allow drying. Slight space between the deck boards so you can hose the deck down.

OR you can get those big, 90 pound horse stall mats and put those over crushed stone. They can get hot in the sun (they are black) so you must shade the kennel. Smaller mats the dog can pick up and play with, so are not as good an idea. Stall mats can also be cleaned easily.

 

[Knute]

While under the deck may not be an ideal location but all of the concerns can be addressed and mitigated.

Pour a concrete slab under the deck with a 1/8th inch slope per foot towards one edge for drainage. At that edge place a drain to empty into a cess pit (local codes may affect this).

Now make a practice of hosing off the slab each day. The runoff will collect in the pit. The pit can be treated with septic enzymes to digest the contents.

When you have guests wanting to use the deck, simply place the dogs in their kennels away from under the deck.

 

[RLHdog]

Thanks all. We made the kennel panels work adjacent to our garage, and used additional supports/brackets where needed. The panels are stepped on the slopes, so there are some gaps at the bottom we need to address, but it's put together, sturdy and functional. Most of the ground is grass; I'm only putting crushed limestone down in some areas where I'm hoping the dog will urinate. It contains fines, which help bind it together. I've heard positive things about this type of stone in dog kennels, so we'll see what happens. If it doesn't work, it will be easy enough to change. Again - we aren't using this area for a permanent kennel. This is just a "safe" morning/evening potty area and spot where the dog can lounge outside without a leash when needed.