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Let’s Build A
Dog House
By
Larry Parr
Let’s
start off here by stating that the Humane Society of the United States
(HSUS) strongly urges dog owners to allow their pets to live indoors with
the family.
If that
isn’t always possible or practical then the next best thing is to provide
your dog with a properly-constructed dog house which will provide a
comfortable place for your outdoor dog to get out of the elements.
One of
the first things you should keep in mind when designing your dog house is
that a dog house should never
be built directly on the ground. There needs to be an
airspace underneath your dog house. Many people find that a pallet
makes a good foundation for a dog house.
Concrete blocks can also make a good foundation. The idea is that the floor of the house
is off the ground and that plenty of air can circulate underneath your
dog’s house.
The
door of your dog’s house needs to face away from the prevailing winds. This is especially true in the winter
but is also good for your dog in the summer as well. If possible your dog’s house should be
moveable; place it in the sunniest location possible during the winter
and in the shade during the summer.
The
roof of your dog house should be slanted to facilitate the runoff of both
rain and snow. A layer of tarpaper can help waterproof the roof of your
dog house.
Your
dog house needs to be designed to the size of your dog. Most people think
that bigger is better. After all,
humans like big houses so dogs like big houses, too. Right?
Wrong. Dogs are descended from wolves. Deep down, on a cellular level, dogs
crave the comfort of a small den.
A small space is more easily protected than a large space. Instinctively dogs feel safer and more
secure within a small space. This
is especially true of puppies and small breed dogs.
Your
dog house should be wide enough for your dog to turn around in and long
enough for your dog to stretch out comfortably in, but not much bigger
than that. Not only does your dog
feel safer and more secure in a smaller space, but during the winter a
smaller space is easier for your dog’s own body heat to keep warm.
Your
life will be so much easier if
you hinge the top of your dog house so that you can lift up the top for
easy cleaning. This is especially
true in areas with fleas and ticks, but you will find that it is a
tremendous help no matter where
you live.
If you
live in an area where winters get cold you should plan on adding
insulation to the walls and the roof of your dog house. Build the walls from 2X4s or 2X2s and
place a good insulation in the hollow of the walls and the roof. Not only
will this help keep your dog’s house warmer in the winter but it will
keep the house cooler in the summer.
You may
wish to consider an interior windbreak for your dog house. This is a wall that extends in from the
door of your dog’s house, almost like an entry hallway for your dog. At the end of the hallway your dog will
make a turn and then be in the interior portion of the dog house. This hallway helps keep out drafts and
gives your dog an even greater sense of security.
The
bedding you use in your dog house is important. NEVER use hay as a bedding
material. Hay may contain a fungus
that can cause severe respiratory problems for many dogs.
Cedar
chips are good. Cedar chips
naturally help to repel fleas and are inexpensive and easy to find at pet
stores and even garden centers.
Newspaper can be used,
but keep in mind that some dogs
can be allergic to newsprint.
If you
wish to heat your dog house (an especially nice idea during the coldest
winter months) one of the simplest ways to do so is by using bedding
material that is especially designed to be heated in a microwave and then
placed in the dog house. Many microwaved pads can stay warm for up to 12 hours.
You can
also install an electrically heated pad.
In the
winter it is a good idea to hang a piece of burlap or other heavy
material over the doorway to keep out cold drafts. The burlap can be removed for the
summertime.
To sum
up, if it is at all possible you should allow your dogs to live indoors
with the family – but if that’s not going to be the case then you should
take the time to either build a proper dog house for your pet, or buy a
good dog house and make any changes or additions necessary (such as
adding insulation).
©2005 by Larry Parr
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
There
are two excellent dog training programs which I can personally
recommend to you. One I have
personally used, and the other my sister-in-law used and both programs
worked miracles.
You can read all about the
program my wife and I used to train our three dogs HERE.
Read about the program my
sister-in-law used to train her old hound dog HERE.
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