New dog pens

I have used them for years and wouldn't do it any other way. In 10 years, I can only remember changing one. I even use them in the hog pens.

The low point drains and block valves are very helpful. After a few times of forgetting to drain the lines and the lines froze and broke, I switched from PVC to PEX. The PEX may freeze but it won’t break (at least in our Louisiana winters).

Be mindful of the water lines and waterers being in the direct sun. When the water heats up on those 100º days the dogs won’t drink it (the water gets really hot). And regular pipe insulation does not work for keeping the water cool, it would get just as hot and then hold the heat longer into the night.

I have concrete kennels with barrels, and I’m thinking about adding a wooden platform, so the dogs have an option. As far as a mat, I have found anything flat on the concrete collects all the nastiness imageable between the it and the concrete, which adds time to the cleaning process.

One thing I do wonder about is, how hard is the concrete on the dog’s joints? I know there is a big difference between walking on concrete all day versus walking on the ground.