Rubber Paver's - Page 2

I'm thinking it would have to be very level and packed hard or the seams would pull apart from the dogs running over them (if there are low spots).

I've had runs in all sorts of configurations. Cement is the easiest and most sanitary, but my least favorite. I've had a couple of runs for the last two years that are floored with crushed gravel and I keep wood chips on top of that. My favorite so far. May not be practical with a lot of dogs. They are covered also.

Rik

Black rubber stall mats hold the heat if they are exposed to the sun.  Great in the winter, not so great in hot humid summer weather.  I had extra from horse stalls and tried them in a dog run, the run had a roof but the sun still shone through the sides.  The dog would look for a cool spot and there were none, end of dog run.   Try walking in bare feet on one that has had some sun exposure, not pleasant. 

I was thinking of putting silicone or something to cover the seams, maybe even concrete so it all holds in place?? I wouldn't mind doing concrete runs, but I think it wears on the dog after awhile, so that's why I thought of these rubber paver's. I wouldn't do it unless the ground was packed and leveled. I just wonder if it would be easy to sanitize too?? If no one has tried them as of yet? then maybe I should just try it and see how it goes...
Thanks
Kel

I agree; concrete is easy to clean, but I don't think it's a good surface for dogs to be on too much. I try to keep areas as natural as possible, in terms of footing. I like Rik's flooring. Hard-packed pea gravel is nice, too. 

Not a fan of any paver. I tried to do the same on the inside of the kennels and I put mortar between and it doesn't work. It's almost impossible to get the cracks filled flush with the pavers and you don't want area for "stuff" to sit in. If you're in cold weather area, the ground heaves in the winter and the concrete/mortar will crack. That's why they put sand between them. Don't even know how well Mortar would bond to rubber. The silicon would take multiple applications to get it to be flush. Personally, if the dog wasn't to be in there too long, concrete is the way to go. If it's covered and shaded, horse mats go on top and seams are siliconed. If not, pea gravel is OK. I would just see if there is a small cobble to lay before the PG. Pea gravel doesn't pack down easily and goes flying. You almost need a runner along the bottom to contain the PG. With a light layer of very small cobble, the pea gravel should be laid thinly over to fill the cracks and lightly cover. Otherwise, you have 4" of loose pebbles. And with this, you are constantly raking to level it out.-------I think you should just get Trex and call it a day!

Thanks for all of the advice, etc on this :-)   I think I will try it out on just 1 of the kennels to see how it goes. I just don't want to do concrete b/c it's not good for the dogs after awhile. With pea gravel I worry about pups/dogs eating it and I'm sure it can be difficult to keep clean and sanitized as well as having to always add more pea gravel, I would think?? Yeah, I don't think concrete would work with rubber but I will ask what can be put down on it to cover the seams. If it works I will be very happy as well as my dogs, if not then it's a lesson learned. Thanks again everyone!!!
Kel

Kelly, here's another thought for you. Dogs usually run the same track up and down the run. For the concrete, you could cut the stall mats in 12" strips and lay them on the edges of the run (or the middle if that is where they track).

Keep us posted on how the pavers work out for you.

Rik

Rik, are you gonna superglue them down? I could see my dogs draging them around and chewing on them.

My dogs pulled up the stall mats (the thick heavy ones) and chewed them into little tiny pieces for the fun of it.  They don't have them in the kennel any more.

Similar to gsdsch3v- my dog dragged the 110 lb stable mat across her kennel, shredded it into tiny pieces, ate pieces, and then vomited everywhere. What a freakin' mess! She eats pea gravel too so that left us with concrete for kennel flooring. She loves laying on a Kuranda bed so that takes care of getting her off the concrete.