Doggy Mentor

Many first time dog house buyers are a little overwhelmed by all the options out there. It can be hard to determine what a dog house really needs. This first thing you will need to determine is if you need an outdoor doghouse at all.

A dog that is used to being indoors most of the time will not take kindly to moving outdoors even to the best dog house. Dogs are pack animals and single dogs will probably find life with you indoors more attractive. While your dog may not live outdoors you may want to buy an outside dog house which can be a temporary shelter for times when your dog must be outdoors.

There are other dogs, however, who need to live outdoors full time. Dog houses for these types of dogs must be very sturdy and have additional comfort. No matter how long a dog is left outdoors always provide frequent supervision to ensure his safety.

Don’t think a dog house will be more comfortable simply because it is larger. This is an important point for those who live where the weather gets cold. A dog house which is exceptionally large will not allow your dog to produce enough body heat to warm up the dog house. The perfect dog house for your dog will be just large enough for your dog to turn around and stretch out without touching the walls. The door should have enough room to allow your dog to enter without crawling.

The floor should be at least several inches off the ground to prevent water and moisture from entering. Inexpensive straw makes a good bedding although you will need to change it regularly. To prevent the buildup of snow the roof should be sloped. Some of the chemicals used in pressure treated wood are harmful to your dog so it should never be used for building a dog house. Be sure your dog is built for the weather conditions before you move your dog outdoors. Many of the smaller breeds are not hardy enough to live outdoors while the larger dogs, especially those bred to be working dogs, should have no problem.

Comments are closed.