RE: [pyrnet] Muddy Pens

Title: Message

My dogs do not have pen areas, because the entire 7 acre property is fenced, but one thing that might help is putting a thick layer of shredded landscape bark over the mud area. This will help with erosion, plus give them a soft place to lay down that is easy on those big working dog Pyr joints. I have several landscaped areas on our property that are covered with the shredded bark and my Pyr and Mal lay and sleep in those piles. Granted, the shredded bark sticks to silky Pyr hair like glue, but it works! And, no erosion or mud for them to lay in! Just remember when using the bark, do not purchase the bark that is sprayed with chemicals to provide coloring; just get the regular landscape bark that is complete natural.

Hope this helps; I would highly recommend it!

Beth, Czar (Pyr) and Raisa (Mal) in rural Wisconsin

-----Original Message-----
From: Ingraminthegame@wmconnect.com [mailto:Ingraminthegame@wmconnect.com]
Sent: Sunday, March 06, 2005 9:42 AM
To: pyrnet-l@pyrnet.org
Subject: [pyrnet] Muddy Pens

Hi,

Does anyone have a solution to muddy, hilly pens? This time of year is a real mess here and we just can't keep the dogs clean, not to mention some prefer the cold mud to the warm igloo houses *with* straw. They drive me nuts. It will be a few months before we have everyone moved to the farm (more room) so now we have these pens, not kennels.....they're bigger than kennels but are built on a sloping hill (we *are* in WV) so gravel could be tough to keep from sliding to the bottom.

Right now the sheep and horses are on the farm. There is one pen at the moment that has a lamb and kid with a young Pyr but it is fairly level although still muddy.

Any suggestions would be great! It's one thing for them to be a little dirty but covered in mud.....by their choice or otherwise is starting to unnerve me.

Chrissy