How To Build a Dog House

Once you have weighed the pros and cons of buying versus building and decided to manufacture a home for Man's Best Friend, you need a plan. First decide how exactly you are going to go about building the dog house. Do you want to use a kit, predesigned plans with instructions, or are you just going to wing it? Unless you are a skilled woodworker or at least have some experience with a hammer and a saw, you should probably at least have a floor plan and instructions, if not a manufactured kit.

When deciding how you want the Insulated Dog House to look from the outside, consider how the rest of your yard looks. It may be good to design the dog house to match the wood you used for the fence or to mimic the look of your own home. Once you have that figured out you can obtain the materials you plan to use. Those materials may include wood, nails, shingles, paint, insulation, etc. Basically the materials you would use to build a home, just a much simpler one without the plumbing or electricity.

Consider how big your dog is and how much room he or she will need to move around inside the Insulated Cedar Dog Houses. If you have two or more dogs, obviously you are going to need a bigger dog house unless you know that they just love to sleep squished together, which they probably don't. The sizing of a dog house should be similar to that of a crate. If the dog can stand up completely and turn around then it is probably big enough. Something to be very cautious of is the dog's height. You do not want to build it too low or he may scrape his back going inside. You must also be careful of sharp edges or protruding nails inside the house, as these could also hurt him. It is almost always better to build too big than too small.

You should always assess the ground that you plan to build on, whether it is stable or not and whether there is a great deal of water that flows through that area when it rains. Many dog houses are built with a raised floor which simply takes the floor a few inches off the ground. This serves dual purposes. It helps a wooden dog house last longer because the floor is not constantly wet and susceptible to rot and it keeps your little guy drier because water cannot flow into the dog house if there is quite a bit of rain. This may not be much of a concern if you live in a very dry climate but will be important if your area gets frequent rain.

Once you have built the basic structure is when the fun part of building Wooden Dog Houses begins. You can decorate it any way you like, paint it to match your own home or make it look like Snoopy's. Add some character with a chimney or even a deck. Your dog won't care what color it is as long as it is a safe and comfortable place to sleep. You, on the other hand, are the one that has to look at it so you might as well make it entertaining.

Best Materials for Dog Houses

When you are picking out a dog house or deciding to build one, it is important to choose the proper material. Not all Wooden Dog Houses are created equal and there will be a different "right" choice for each owner and dog. You should take into consideration the size and breed of your dog along with the environment your home is located in. The local climate and weather pattern will play a very important role in determining the right material for dog houses in that area. Additionally, your dog may not care what it looks like but you and your guests are the ones that will have to look at it all the time so pick something that goes well with your home and outdoor décor.

Wood is the most common building material for Dog Houses. It is easily accessible, versatile and not difficult to work with. If you have a choice or if you are building your own dog house, Cedar makes a good wood for outdoor use because it is very resistant to rotting and water damage. Probably the most common type of wood for Cedar Dog Houses or any building project is Pine. It's not quite as sturdy and weather resistant as Cedar, but it is inexpensive and easy to work with. If the wood is treated properly before you begin building it will last longer and resist water damage or rot.

If you live in a place where rain is a constant factor, wood may not be your best bet. Unless you want to replace boards every few months you might be better off with a synthetic material. Plastic dog houses come manufactured and can be purchased at most pet supply stores. There are a lot of really attractive characteristics to plastic dog houses. They are easier to clean, for one thing. All it takes is a water hose and even the dirtiest pet den is good as new. They also won't rot when they get wet or warp with changes in temperature. You can even keep a blanket or cushion in a plastic dog house if you want to because the material is not as susceptible to leaking as wood is. If water does get into the house, however, there really isn't anywhere for it to go so plastic dog houses should be elevated to allow less rainwater to flow in from the ground.

With the vast majority of dogs living inside the home with their families, the dogs that do end up residing outside in dog houses often have pretty nice spots to call home. One popular trend with dog houses is insulation. You can purchase them already insulate or include it if you're building your own. There's no reason your furry friend should have to be uncomfortable, particularly on very cold or very hot days. By draping plastic door covers over the door you can help keep the temperature of your buddy's house a nice and comfortable level. When it all comes down to it, making it right for him is what is most important. He would do the same for you.