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Will this hurt a dog in the long run?
I have had to put my pen on concrete because of the dog digging out every day.
I have always heard that concrete is not good for them.
What do ya'll think?

I love my concrete. I have a male that has allergies, I use to have to give him shots and benadrill (sp?) all the time. Since i put him on concrete i only have to give him about one shot a summer instead of about 5 or 6.
With all of them on it, they stay cleaner, you can wash pee and crap off. No dust flying. I like it.

its the one way to go. travis

Was wondering the same thing, about to build a new kennel for my 3 and was going to put concrete in them. It Should not affect their pads from say jumping or pouncing up the sides should it? That was my concerns, I just figured it would make them tougher on the concrete. I have one that has allergies really bad as well, so I am hoping for those same results.

Another advantage of concrete is that your dogs nails will stay shorter, which is easier on him when he's running.

I have built 3 kennels or pens over here. The best one I had was a cocrete about to build anohter beside existing and it will be concrete. Just make sure you get it with out the fiber. SOmething about it vet said it would tear up there feet. So much easiear to keep clean. Just a waterhose about every other day and some bleach every once in a while.

what about getting some quikrete and mixing it up myself.
Would this work?

Thats what I was thinking of doing. It is going to take a long time and a lot of it but there is pratically no way to get it back to where I need it besides a wheel barrow and that is down a steep hill and back up another and I am not doing that. I think it should work??

IMO its important to have the slab properly cured and sealed. I don't know much about concrete so thats why I paid to have my last slab poured. My earlier slabs were done on the cheap and always smelled like pee.

Also make sure you put a slope on it. Mine slope front to back about 6 inches and have a 6 inch PVC gutter inset into the slab which hooks to a pipe at the end.

Bill

I have been pouring concrete for pretty much my whole life. Quickrete will be fine to use. If you dont get it all done in one day just stick a board in and finish the slab up to the board. Pull the board out when it has set up and pour the other section later. Dont use fiber in a dog pen, just use concrete wire.

Mine have a smooth finish and there is plenty of grip for the dogs. I wouldn't use a broom finish, much harder to keep clean.

I agree go with the smooth finish instead of the broom. That crap will get into that stuff like crazy.

I did the quickcrete thing on my kennels and I'm here to tell you, I would'nt wish that on no one. I had a portable mixer and it was still a hell of a job. I figured it up when I got done and could have had concrete poured for just a little more than what I paid for the quickcrete.

Looks like im in the minority, but i dont like concrete.
i prefer crushed rock, as sharp as you can get, it toughens the pads all round, you dont get the cracks on the sides of the feet or kennel sores. put wire mesh underneath about 12 inches of rock to stop the dogs from digging out.
They can dig all they like, enjoy it, keep thier nails short but dont get out.
Wash the rock with bleach or disinfectant from time to time, at times replace the rock.
Scoop the poop with a rake to seperate poop and rock.

I like concrete, and definately use a slick finish. The quickcreet would be one tough job, but it could be done. Would be hard to finish it corectly if you would be doing by yourself. In my opinion, it is best to pay someone who know what they are doing, and do the job right the first time. (I do it for a living)