There are a lot of reasons for having a dog kennel outside, and depending upon the reason will help determine which dog kennels outdoor accessories you will need. Let's explore some of those reasons and what accessories may work best for each one. Whether you have a fenced back yard or not, having a dog kennel outdoors can be really advantageous. It gives your dog a place that is his own, his own "den". When you have company over, a kennel gives you a place to keep your dog. He is still a part of things but out of the way, this is especially good for outdoor barbecues or if you have guests that do not like dogs. If you do not have a fenced yard, then the kennel may be the place where your dog stays when home alone.
Regardless of why you have an outdoor dog kennel, there is one accessory that is a must if your kennel is not in the shade, and that is a kennel cover. It is really important that you dog have a place to get out of the sun. If you have large shade trees in your yard and the position works with your landscaping, then place your kennel where it is shaded from the afternoon sun. Or, some people will place their kennel on the side of the house and take advantage of the shade their home provides. However, if a shady area is not an option, then a cover is needed. There are a variety of styles, brands and price points for a cover, so you are bound to find something that works for you.
Some brands, like Jewett-Cameron, the cover comes with a galvanized frame that fits their different kennel sizes, a silver, waterproof vinyl cover, and bungees to hold the cover in place.
King Canopy makes a free standing Pup Tent which measures 10' x 10' x 6' high which you can place over your kennel. It comes with powder coated steel pipe and a gray UV treated poly tarp. One nice thing about this one being free standing is that you can move it and use it as a cover to protect other things.
An ingenious product on the market today is by ClimaCover. This dog kennels outdoor accessory is for the person who already has a frame (or makes their own) and a tarp. The system includes clips and a long bladder style anchor that is filled with water. You simple place the tarp over the frame, connect one end of the clips along the side of the tarp and the other end to the anchor. Then you simply fill the anchor with water to weigh down your tarp.
If you have more than one dog, or use your kennel for whelping, then additional panels can be really beneficial. There are a large variety of panels available.
Isolation panels can attach to a gate or a center panel to create privacy between adjoining kennels. They are usually 4' x 4' , so you can use one or more depending upon how high up you want the privacy.
You can also get regular wire panels to place inside a kennel to split it into two. They come with clamps that allow them to be securely placed. Some of these even have gates within the panels.
One last accessory that can be really handy if you live some place that can get windy is an anchor system to hold your kennel down. One such is the Eagle Foot Anchor system. You just drive the rod down into the ground, the rod has a cable in it and when you pull on the cable, it activates a "duck bill" that anchors into the ground. Then secure the other end to the kennel. These come six in a pack, perfect to secure anything to the ground.
Make sure you have the needed dog kennels outdoor accessories for your kennel. It will make life more pleasant for your dog, and life easier for you.
MJ writes for ClickShops Inc., which offers a great selection of dog kennels outdoor accessories at www.dogkennelsandcrates.com.