How To Build A Dog Run

By: Rochelle Connery

Break Studios Contributing Writer

Do you want to know how to build a dog run? Building a dog run is a great way to get your dog off a leash and still give him freedom without setting him loose in the streets. Not only will it keep the cops off your tail (literally) for leaving a dog unleashed, you'll have peace of mind leaving your dog home while you're at work since it will be safe and capable of taking itself to the bathroom in an outdoor dog run. Here's how to build a dog run by yourself without help from a professional.

Things You'll Need:

Shovel
Measuring tape
Concrete
Fencing

Decide where you want to see your dog every day. If he's ugly and more fun to play with than look at, consider putting him in a corner of the yard where you can still keep an eye on him without having him in plain sight all the time. If he's cute, well, put him somewhere you can see him all the time. Build a dog run in a shady area or bear in mind that you'll need a canopy or dog house to keep the sun and other weather elements off the dog.
Consider if you want to run on top of grass or concrete. Concrete is easier to clean up, but grass is cooler and better for them to lay on all day long.
Mark out an area for the dog run. It should be rectangular if you actually want him to run in it. Build a dog run that is less than 20 feet long.
Buy some fencing or pick a pre-packaged dog run kit. If you get a kit, you might have a cage on top to keep him from jumping out. If you opt for fencing, be sure you buy a high enough fence for the dog type. If it's not high enough, he can jump it and get out - and he might get hurt if he gets caught on the fence at the top.
Dig out a section of the yard for the fence, if you opted for a grassy run. If you opted for concrete, get a professional to pour it, or you could have a very uneven dog run and have water issues from runoff.
Insert the fence in the ground and move all your dog's belongings inside. Make sure they all fit - with him in it - and still leave enough room for him to move and walk around.