Posts Tagged ‘Dog house’

Many people purchasing a dog house for the first time start to wonder just how complex it needs to be. It can be hard to determine what a dog house really needs. The very first thing you will need to determine is that you really need an outdoor doghouse at all.

Dogs that have spent most of their lives indoors will not want to move outside no matter how nice the doghouse. Dogs are pack animals and single dogs will most likely want to stay inside with you. While your dog may not move outdoors permanently many outdoor dog houses can provide nice temporary shelter for when your dog is outdoors.

There are other dogs, however, who need to spend all their time outdoors. Outdoor dog houses for these dogs must be very sturdy and have additional comfort. No matter how long a dog is left outdoors always make sure you check on him often to make sure he is safe.

A larger dog house will not always provide more comfort for a dog. This is an important point for those who live where the weather gets cold. If your dog house it too big your dog will not be able to generate enough heat to warm it up. 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 of the dog house needs to be several inches off the ground to prevent water and moisture from entering. Bedding can be made from straw which is changed regularly. If you live where it snows you want a sloped roof to allow the snow to run off. There are chemicals which can be toxic to your dog in pressure treated wood so it should not be used for any part of the dog house that your dog comes into contact with. Make sure your dog can handle the outdoor conditions before you decide it should live outdoors. Toy dogs are not well suited for outdoor living while the larger dogs, especially those bred to be working dogs, should have no problem.

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