Your question to an outside kennel, it will need to be tough. A GSD can chew almost anything , I think Canberra weather is way too cold to have Manny as an outside dog. Buy a extra large crate and keep him inside. Crate train your pup, they will learn to toilet train quicker there is a lot of info out there to google. GSD's need to be part of the family or there can be behavioural issues. Are you renting? is this the reason for the kennel outside?

Hi Houzzers You have all been so kind with your design advice, and helped us come up with this design. I think we are nearly there, and are pretty happy with the result...we still ended up with the door into bedroom from hall....but think it will be ok.....may swing the door the other way...will put doors on bathroom and sitting(not shown) I like the 2 dressing areas we have created either side of our wardrobes, and the seperate toilet. Very happy for any other input on this design before we send it off to the builder!

Love your story, siriuskey! Dogs are such characters. My daughter is renting a house with vinyl flooring that resembles floorboards. She has a big dog so uses area rugs and carpet runners to minimise scratches. He was traumatised somehow as a wee pup and won’t let her or anyone else trim his nails. He would have to be sedated, as in knocked out cold. She can’t be doing that, so walks him along concrete footpaths to keep them somewhat in check. Despite her best efforts, his extra large paws have scratched the vinyl a bit. I agree with others that tiles, polished concrete or other concrete-type finish floors will withstand any punishment a dog can throw at them. Area rugs and runners are good idea in dog-traffic areas so they don’t slip and damage their joints.

Update. I now have a very happy and content cat who has independent access to a side garden which already had secure, dog-proof fencing. I found CatWorks in the Mornington Peninsula who were prepared to travel an hour to custom design and install a cat-proof roof. It does not look like a prison but actually enhances the veranda which was installed a couple of years ago. The veranda has black, powder-coated, aluminium balustrades and the fine, black, roof netting and black, metal frame complements the veranda with its forest backdrop. Amazing! CatWorks even created viewing posts/ladder on the central, supportive post and a massive climbing rope. The dog took a while getting used to the idea that the cat was going to be using his garden, too, but now they can both come and go in and out of the house. Added bonus: I have a shed in that garden where I do pottery and ceramics and I no longer limit my visits there as I no longer need to ensure all doors are securely closed behind me or isolate myself. We all come and go as we like. Freedom!