We love our dog so much that even the mere thought of seeing him confined in an enclosure makes us feel bad — doesn't it? This happens because we often associate the idea of an enclosure with the image of a dog shut between four walls and left to fend for himself; but that is absolutely not the purpose of a dog enclosure, at least not for those who truly love their pets. Rather, it's about creating a safe zone for them — an area where they face no risks and feel no distress — to be used, of course, only when needed. And, just for those who have never tried one, dogs don't dislike enclosures at all, unless the enclosure becomes a form of punishment for them. After exploring how to build a small dog gate, let's now look at how to build a DIY dog enclosure!
Why build a dog enclosure
Let's try to imagine why having dog fencing in the garden can come in handy — perhaps on your child's birthday, when the garden is full of children running wild. Do you really think your dog wants to be in the middle of all that chaos? Or might he prefer a quiet, out-of-reach corner? Or again, while you're preparing a lovely barbecue — unless you want to share it with your four-legged friend — doesn't it seem practical and sensible to be able to keep him within a controlled area?
Or perhaps simply when you're away from home, your dog may actually be safer in a place where he can't hurt himself or get into anything dangerous for him or for you. These are just some of the reasons why a good outdoor dog enclosure can be really useful. With that in mind, let's look at how to build a dog enclosure on your own — comfortable and safe.
How to build a dog enclosure | What you need
The first thing to bear in mind is that, by law, the dimensions of a dog enclosure must cover a minimum area of 8 square metres and, also by law, keeping dogs tied on a chain is strictly prohibited. Starting from this premise, let's look at what we need to make a DIY dog enclosure: you will definitely need enough wire mesh to enclose the perimeter of the enclosure, eight iron posts, ready-mix cement and a gate — which can simply be an iron frame covered with mesh, or a ready-made gate designed specifically for dog fencing.
Don't forget the hinges for the gate, some wire and a latch. When it comes to the wire mesh, choose one that is plastic-coated and free of sharp edges that could hurt your dog. Another thing not to overlook is where to position the dog enclosure. The enclosed area should include both an open-air section and a sheltered one. In case of rain or excessively strong sun, if you don't have such a spot available, you will need to add a roof covering part of the enclosure.
How to build a dog enclosure
Let's get practical and look at how to build a dog enclosure… First of all, you need to dig holes at the four corners of your enclosure and then one more hole in the centre of each side of the dog enclosure, so that you can set the posts and secure them with cement. On the side where you want to place the gate, fix the post — rather than at the centre of that side — shifted towards the other post you intend to use as the gate hinge post, using the gate itself as your unit of measurement. Dig the holes deep enough so that, once the cement has set, the posts are firmly anchored and highly resistant.
Once that's done, dig a trench running from post to post, at least 15 centimetres deep, creating the perimeter of what will become your DIY dog fencing. When you're ready, start attaching the mesh to the eight posts, feeding it along inside the trench you've dug, and secure it to the posts with wire, making sure to turn the twisted ends outward, away from the enclosure, so they pose no risk to your dog. The mesh should be pulled taut so that it is more resistant to any impact from the dog. Usually, having a second person to help is very useful when stretching mesh properly.
Once the mesh is firmly secured, use cement again to fill in the perimeter trench you dug, so that the mesh is anchored into the cement and becomes more solid. At this point you're ready to attach the hinges to the post you've chosen as the gate frame and the latch to the adjacent post and the gate itself — take precise measurements and hang the gate. Make sure the gate swings smoothly on its hinges.
What to put inside your DIY dog enclosure
At this point, your DIY dog enclosure is ready. Inside, there should be a comfortable kennel for your dog, food and water bowls, and some dog toys to keep him entertained when he gets a little bored. We should point out, in all honesty, that building a DIY dog enclosure is not exactly a beginner's project; however, there are plenty of tutorials online that can help you better understand the steps described above. The important thing is that the enclosed area is comfortable and safe for your dog.
It is also worth remembering that the dog enclosure cannot and must not ever become his permanent home — it should only be a space where you put him when you need to keep him in one place for a while. So make sure your dog doesn't experience his enclosure as a punishment. Spend a little time inside it with him so he can get familiar with it and feel at ease. As for the aesthetic result — well, practice makes perfect!
