By Laura Jean Whitcomb

With approximately 68 million owned dogs in the United States, there’s a good chance that you are a pet owner. Whether you have a new puppy or an old family friend, here are several pet projects that you can do at home to keep your canine companion safe.

Fencing: Give Your Dog Some Outdoor Time

It’s a wide, wonderful world out there, but you’ll probably want to limit your dog’s access to strangers, children and toxic material — and decrease the possibility of injury. A fenced dog is safer for everyone, including your dog.

Perimeter Fencing. Curt Jacques, owner of West Lebanon Supply, lists a few types of fencing used for dogs: chain link, welded wire, welded wire with a galvanized or vinyl coating, stockade fencing or a combination of fencing, such as a split rail fence with wire on the inside. Take your dog’s personality (is he a digger, jumper or climber?) into account while considering fencing options. “It’s all relative to the type of dog and the disposition of the dog,” he says. “Many owners also take aesthetics into account; some fencing doesn’t add value to the property.”

Electronic fencing is a good option for neighborhoods with restrictions on types of fences and owners of breeds like Golden Retrievers, who can easily jump fences.

Welded wire is the least expensive option, and comes in 50- and 100-foot rolls. Fastening the wire to the post will depend on the type of post; stapling works well for wood posts but you may need wire ties for metal u-posts. Jacques and his staff work with customers to find out what they are looking for. “From budget to where to put the gate, there are a lot of things to consider,” he says. “It really takes some planning to make a safe environment.”

Don’t forget to puppy proof your yard. “It’s like baby proofing a house,” says Erica Call, who has managed the Lebanon Pet & Aquarium Store for 10 years. “Dogs are like children — they are curious and they like to wander. Make sure there are no sharp objects, no wires, nothing that could harm them.”

Dog Kennels. A dog kennel is a smaller version of a fenced-in yard. They can be any size or height, and can sit right on the ground or on a foundation, such as a concrete pad. This is a great choice for owners who want to give their dog some outside time, but don’t want the dog to have the run of the yard.

Electronic fencing. Prefer a wide-open yard without the restrictions and maintenance of fencing? Look into a pet containment system where a pet learns to recognize the barrier with a combination of visual and auditory cues. During training, flags outline the boundaries. A buried cable sends a signal (usually a series of beeps) to the dog’s collar as he approaches the boundary edge. If he gets too close to the edge, the owner says “no” and the collar emits a mild, electrical impulse. After training, the flags are removed. Electronic fencing is a good option for neighborhoods with restrictions on types of fences and owners of breeds like Golden Retrievers, who can easily jump fences.

Although some controversy surrounds pet containment systems, they are humane. “Just think for a second. If you live on a busy road, your pet doesn’t know enough to look both ways,” says Jacques. “The most important issue is safety for the dog. The electric fences are a method of training and dogs are smart — they will learn.”

Doggie Doors: Say Goodbye to 24-hour Dog Duty

Like to sleep late? Or do you just want to give your pet a little more freedom to come and go as he pleases? Consider installing a doggie door, a pet door that leads out to a fenced yard. There are many styles, features and price ranges available. A doggie door can be added to a wood door, a screen door or a patio door. It can be hinged at the top and swing in both directions or just swing outward (you’ll have to let the dog back in).

Doors made of aluminum and insulation will keep out drafts, and many doors today will keep out intruders. Look for a doggie door with a self-lock feature. There are ones that give you the capability — in only, out only, open and locked — and others that give your pet the power, such as a “key” (an electronic or electromagnetic device) on the dog’s or cat’s collar. The door stays locked until pet comes to the door and the collar sends a signal to unlatch door. After the pet enters, the door locks again.

Be sure to buy the size for your adult dog, not the cute little puppy he is now. Small is typically for Chihuahuas and Teacup Poodles (12 lbs.) and extra large fits Great Danes or Rottweilers (up to 125 lbs.). Then take a test run; make sure your dog will fit through the door before installing it.

If you are installing a doggie door yourself, follow the manufacturer’s directions. Lay out all the parts and tools before starting. A helpful hint is to install the door with the top of the opening just above your dog’s shoulder. Pets duck their heads as they push open the door and step through it. When you’ve finished, caulk around the edges of the frame for a weather-tight seal.

Dog Houses: Shelter from the Storm

Wood or plastic? Store bought or homemade? It doesn’t matter which one you choose, as long as you provide your dog shelter from the weather. Some states, in fact, have minimum standards for sheltering a pet. A ready-made doghouse may be fine in New Hampshire, but Minnesota state laws require a door cover to meet the legal standard. (If you’re handy with a hammer, a carpet sample or plastic runner will do just fine.)

Building a doghouse is a good project for a beginner, including kids, and many Web sites offer free dog house construction plans. The Animal Human Society (www.animalhumanesociety.org) offers a plan for a flat-roof doghouse and Woodzone.com has a plan for a pitched-roof doghouse. “Although it’s a fun family project to build a doghouse for the family dog, many people don’t have the time,” says Call. “It’s fine to buy one.” Call notes that the doghouses on the market today are made of durable, heavy-duty plastic that is non-toxic to chewing puppies. “If you had a dog who was an eater, they’d eat the wood one first,” she says.

Jacques recommends buying a doghouse from an authorized dealer, a specialty store like West Lebanon Supply. “Retail stores ask the manufacturer to make products to their own specifications,” he says. “This may include lighter material. ‘Economy line’ manufacturing for the larger, national stores is very popular right now, but you aren’t getting the best shelter for your pet.”