5 Essential Tips on Constructing a Dog House
Over half of pet owners allow their dogs to stay indoors, lounging on the couch or snuggling in their owner’s bed. However, if you are planning to provide an outdoor home for your beloved canine, you might consider constructing a dog house. Here are some practical guidelines to ensure that the dog house you build offers comfort and safety for your pet.
1. **Size it right**: Begin your dog house construction by ensuring the house is large enough to accommodate your dog’s potential adult size. Like humans, who enjoy having about 2 feet of space above us in a room to avoid feeling claustrophobic, dogs also prefer having ample space. The comfort zone for both humans and dogs is about 1/3 of their standing height. To determine the appropriate size for the dog house, measure your dog in different positions: standing upright, sitting, and in his most comfortable, relaxed, and stretched out position. Your dog should be able to look out the front entrance while both standing up and sitting. To avoid forcing the dog to lower his shoulders or scrape his belly, make sure the entrance is high enough. Measure the width of your dog at the widest point of his shoulders while you are standing over him.
2. **Elevate and ventilate**: Raise the dog house several inches off the ground to allow for airflow and prevent water from seeping in. Ventilation is essential for your dog’s health and to keep pests at bay. You can facilitate this by making a few nickel-sized holes in the walls under the eaves. If the weather gets very cold or windy, install a wind block inside the house so your dog can use his body heat to warm up the area. Consider adding a partial wall to offer an escape from bad weather.
3. **Weatherproof it**: To prevent rain from entering the dog house, slope the floor slightly towards the entrance and similarly, create a slanted roof. Ensure the house is well insulated but avoid painting the interior. Provide your dog with a pillow or some type of bedding to enhance comfort.
4. **Position it strategically**: Most storms in the United States come from the south and west, so the dog house should ideally face in a different direction. Many dog house plans suggest an east-facing door to prevent cold air from sweeping through the entrance.
Adding hinges to the roof of the dog house will make it easier for you to clean your dog’s home, which should be done as often as you bathe your dog.
If your dog is an outdoor pet, he deserves a comfortable and safe place to rest and take shelter from harsh weather. These straightforward tips on building a dog house should set you on the right path to creating the perfect outdoor haven for your furry friend.
