In the Dog House: Making Sure Your Puppy's Crib ... - HGTV Gardens

Image courtesy of www.lapetitemaison.com.

A doghouse can be an essential way to keep your pet protected from the elements ? or just give him a comfy pad to hang out in when the family is spending time in the backyard. (And as evidenced by these impressive doggy domains, some consider their pet?s homes an extension of their personal design aesthetic!)

Now that winter is approaching, you might be wondering how to best insulate your doghouse to keep your four-legged friend nice and toasty.

First, the caution: most pet experts do not recommend that animals spend a lot of time in their doghouses. For example, according to Mallory Kerley, a representative from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, ?The?ASPCA advocates that doghouses should be used as a temporary lounging area when a dog is outside with his people, and shouldn?t be the only place where a dog lives his life.?

A good guideline, but what about those times when your dog might need to spend some time outside during colder weather? Here are some tips for making sure his house will protect him from the elements:

• Consider the Size: When you build or buy your doghouse, aim for a size that?s just big enough to allow your dog to stand and turn around. Anything too big will allow precious body heat to escape.
• Provide Shelter: Place your dog?s house in a location that will provide the most protection from wind, rain or snow, like under a carport or along the warmest wall of your house.
• Lay Cover. A layer of material between the cold ground and the floor of your doghouse will help keep it warmer. The ASPCA guidelines suggest using straw. You can also purchase a heated pad specially made for doghouses to provide even more warmth ? just make sure that any electric products are made specifically for dogs.
• Create a Barrier. House wrap or another weatherproofing barrier can help keep the elements out while retaining your dog?s body heat.
• Insulate the interior. Home insulation can work, though fiberglass or foam materials will need to be well-covered with plywood to prevent your dog from chewing and ingesting potentially hazardous materials. Carpeting stapled to the interior can also act as a temporary fix.
• Close the Door. A flap made from a piece of rug can help keep out wind and snow, suggests the ASPCA. Pet stores also carry vinyl dog house doors.

(Sub)Urban doghouse image courtesy of Brian Pickard at pickard-design.com.

Before building or buying a doghouse, keep your climate in mind.?Remember, even if you live in a region that experiences a cold winter, eventually it?ll be summer again ? so have a plan for keeping the house cool in warmer months. ?If the doghouse will be placed in the shade, I would recommend a stone or concrete floor because it will stay cooler, but if it is going to be placed in the sun I would recommend wood painted or stained a lighter color because it won?t get as hot as concrete would in the sun,? says Brian Pickard, architect of high-end doghouses like the (Sub)Urban doghouse pictured above. If you live in a climate that experiences a cold winter, have a plan for keeping the house cool in summer.

Source: http://blog.hgtvgardens.com/pampered-pooches-designer-doghouses-for-fido/

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