Dog Kennels

Started by NiaR2 • 10 replies • 1434 views

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NiaR2 (Texas)
Posts: 3

Posted:

So I would appreciate any input/advice on my situation. I have 2 dogs that have pretty much ruined my backyard with all of this rain we’ve gotten out here in Texas. I have been thinking about a permanent solution for it, so I’ve decided to look into buying 10’L x 5’W’ x 6’H kennels to restrict them to a certain area of the yard. My dogs will also be out only during the day while I am at work for 8 hours. I submitted an ARC request and it was denied, “due to the potential nuisance of noise created during the day while homeowner is not home.” I have since submitted an appeal letter letting them know how is it any different if I were to leave my dogs loose in the yard compared to restricting them to certain section. Kennels are not new to my dogs nor are they a bad thing for my dogs, they have been in kennels during Obedience training over a 6 month period so it’s nothing that would freak them out. I also mentioned that I can speak for bark collars which ensures that a nuisance of noise would not be a concern. Additionally, I mentioned that I can get some kind of poll/agreement/understanding letter from my neighbors saying they could careless. I have already reached out to a lawyer and it’s a 5k retainer and I sure don’t want to spend that when there’s no guarantee. I was already expected to spend about 2k on getting my dogs a nice little setup outdoors.

Any advice on what I can do? Are they allowed to do this? I feel that there decision has no grounds and is biased.

SheliaH (Indiana)
Posts: 6,964

Posted:

Check your documents. If the board is responsible for rules enforcement, part of that usually means it's also responsible for approving exterior changes before the homeowner installs it. That's what you agreed to when you purchased your home - to comply with community rules.

Part of the reason your dog's may have wrecked your yard is because they've hired - didn't obedience school occur to you? What do you think will happen when they've cooped up in a kennel all day? The board is concerned about noise, so it's possible a bark collar won't do (in some circles, they've considered cruel to the animal). Then there's the matter of the dogs crapping in the kennel raising a stink, along with flies and vermin like rats.

Maybe you should keep your dog's in the house while you're at work (they can be trained to behave). Or out them in doggie day care. It can be pricey, but the dogs will be able to run, bark and play without bugging the neighbors.

Instead of sulking because you were told no, apply some thought and perhaps talk to your vet or someone at a good pet store about what you could do to the yard to keep the dogs and your neighbors happy and bring that to the board when you file your appeal.

If it is not right do not do it; if it is not true do not say it. Marcus Aurelius

MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836

Posted:

Good advice Sheila. Kennels are not that safe. My neighbor has one and was not good. Instead of a kennel how about something more attractive? A smaller fence like a picket? Kennels are not attractive at all.

The HOA is about appearance. You can rationalize dog kennel all you want. It is still ugly and does not convey good thoughts.

Former HOA President

GeorgeS21 (Florida)
Posts: 3,808

Posted:

I dunno ... move out to the country where no one cares if you have dog kennels in the yard?

I must be missing the point - do others have kennels in your neighborhood? Chicken coops?

NiaR2 (Texas)
Posts: 3

Posted:

I agree some kennels can be ugly but the one I’m looking to buy is not. I’m in a new subdivision out on the country. (Lucky me)

NiaR2 (Texas)
Posts: 3

Posted:

My dogs are only wrecking my yard cause the grass died and we’ve gotten nonstop rain in my area. My dogs spent 6 months in obedience training, doesn’t mean I want them to have free range of the house while I’m away. I also already pay a dog sitter about 5-6k a year so I’m looking for alternatives. Thanks for your input though.

JohnT38 (South Carolina)
Posts: 1,631

Posted:

Have you considered getting sod and getting a landscaper to improve drainage? If the issue is really just mud, then fix the mud.

MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836

Posted:

You live in a HOA. It's most likely they can restrict this. So look into your other options to fix the mud issues than put up a kennel. Which putting one up doesn't resolve that. Just isolate it to one area.

I have multiple dogs myself. They usually end up making a pattern in my backyard of a bare spot. I just decorate around it to incorporate it into the yard.

Former HOA President

LetA (Nevada)
Posts: 2,679

Posted:

I have three dogs myself and only one likes to dig holes in the backyard, that was until I landscaped it. You shouldn't have to sink a ton of money into a good landscape design that will properly drain the water away from your backyard. Here in Vegas the ground gets so hard that the quick rains we get can cause flooding, so a proper landscape plan is in order. Also I would have your dog's nails trimmed on a more frequent basis, to ease the digging urge.

SheliaH (Indiana)
Posts: 6,964

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By NiaR2 on 01/23/2020 7:17 PM
My dogs are only wrecking my yard cause the grass died and we’ve gotten nonstop rain in my area. My dogs spent 6 months in obedience training, doesn’t mean I want them to have free range of the house while I’m away. I also already pay a dog sitter about 5-6k a year so I’m looking for alternatives. Thanks for your input though.

You didn't say how long your dog sitter stays at the house - if the dogs are still tearing up the yard, it would seem he or she isn't keeping them busy. As for the 6 months of obedience training, that's fine, but you have to keep reinforcing the training - it would appear that hasn't happened often enough. Then again, some breeds, like terriers are known for digging because that's what they were bred to do (e.g. dig through a rat hole to find and kill the SOBs!)

I still say you need to talk to the board during your appeal about the kennel - just because you don't think the one you want is attractive, doesn't mean others won't feel the same way. This probably isn't so much about having a kennel in the yard as it is keeping the dogs from barking all day and annoying everyone, so you need to address that (you didn't really do it here).

Have you tried Googling for suggestions on what else you might do to keep the dogs from tearing up the yard and/or your home while you're away? Here's a link to an article to get you started - https://www.thisdogslife.co/how-to-stop-your-dog-from-tearing-up-your-home-when-you-are-gone/

If it is not right do not do it; if it is not true do not say it. Marcus Aurelius

GeorgeS21 (Florida)
Posts: 3,808

Posted:

This one is pretty simple.

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