Picture your dog happily playing in a space that looks more like a garden retreat than a kennel. This run offers shade, security, and style all at once.

With its sleek panels and neat wooden walls, it protects your pup while still letting light and air flow through.

You can add cozy touches like soft rugs, enrichment toys, or even a resting bench.

It’s the kind of dog run that doesn’t just serve your pet, it elevates your whole backyard.

Materials Needed

• Steel or aluminum frame kits (black powder-coated, approx. 6-8 panels)
• Outdoor-grade wood boards (10-12 planks, 6 ft length)
• Roof panels (polycarbonate or tin, sized to fit run)
• Lockable gate (1 piece, 3-4 ft wide)
• Mesh or welded wire fencing (if not included in panel kits)
• Decking or raised flooring materials (optional)
• Screws, brackets, hinges
• Tools: drill, saw, level, screwdriver

Step-by-step Guide

Step 1: Choose a flat corner of your backyard where the run won’t block main walkways but stays accessible.

Step 2: Install the steel or aluminum frame panels, making sure they’re square and anchored securely.

Step 3: Attach wooden planks to one or two sides for privacy and shade. Then leave at least one mesh side open for airflow.

Step 4: Fit roof panels to cover the top, creating shelter from rain and direct sun.

Step 5: Install the gate with a secure latch system. You should double-check that it swings smoothly and closes firmly.

Step 6: Add flooring if desired like decking, stone pavers, or artificial turf to keep the area clean and comfortable.

Step 7: Personalize with bedding, water bowls, and enrichment toys so it feels like a haven, not just an enclosure.

Tips: Use climbing plants around the outside of the run for natural shade and a softer aesthetic.