Kennel flooring: what is the best option for your dog park?

I have a golden retriever. She is a 3 year old house dog who is fully potty trained. My backyard is fenced in and I let her out all the time. The problem is that I am starting a full time JOB that will keep me away for hours. I can’t keep her in the house for that long and I don’t want to put her in a cage. Letting her roam the backyard is my only option, but she worries me that she’ll get lonely and try to find a way out (happened once before).

After exploring my options, I decided to purchase a dog park. I plan to put it in a nice shady spot in the corner of the patio. But here’s my problem: the outdoor kennel needs some kind of flooring. You could just drop it on the grass, but that will turn into a muddy mess in no time. So I set out to see what kennel flooring options are available.

My first thought was to throw out some indoor/outdoor rugs. Maybe get it in a funky color to spice up your space? A dog diva has a reputation to uphold, you know. So I ran to the garden department at Lowe’s. While searching, I found another option: outdoor patio flooring. There are not as many color options or as stylish as outdoor rugs. When the guy who worked there asked me what I was looking for and I told him, he pointed out that the dog will be pottying somewhere on the floor of his dog park, and the outdoor rug would be toasty in no time .

My next stop was the local farm supply store. They suggested that I use mats, like the ones they put in horse stables. The mats are about an inch thick and made of heavy rubber. Cut them to the size you need. Cleaning them is not a big deal as you just sweep them or hose them off. You can even use a cleaner on them. They are a bit squooshy, which would make it comfortable for my dog ​​when he is lying down, relaxing. I might even throw in some wood chips which I’m told keeps my cage smelling fresh and certain types of wood even keep fleas away.

As I pondered barn mats, I began to think of other types of mats. Bar mats? They have lots of holes, which would be great for drainage in case you spill your drink. But their legs could get stuck in the holes and they could sink into the ground. Children’s rugs? Available in primary colors and you could learn your ABC’s and 123’s at the same time! They actually make interlocking tiles for dog parks. You put them together like puzzle pieces.

Another thought is to install a concrete pad. After all, that’s what the professionals use for their kennels. I pointed out to my husband that it’s a simple DIY-type weekend project. All you need is some 2x4s, a wheel cylinder, and some concrete. I could get it out in a morning and it would only take two to three days to heal, depending on the weather. Once you’re ready, you could put up a rug or blanket, maybe a stylish dog house to give him a place to go in bad weather, and hang up some party lights to make him feel at home.

Your answer?

Dog gate.

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