For many dog owners having Fido around the house is a real joy….at least most of the time. But for some breeds, leaving them alone in your home all day while you’re at work can lead to destructive behavior. The solution? Build man’s best friend his own dog house. It’ not as difficult or expensive as you might think and most people can do it in a weekend.
Start by designing and planning your pooch’s new castle keeping in mind that Fido is an animal, not a human. Size is very important but only to the extent that it meets the needs of the dog; nothing more and nothing less. A house that’s too small won’t give your pet room to move and be comfortable. Remember this is your “best friend,” not some unused pool table to place in self storage. A house that’s too big won’t stay warm with the dog’s body heat, while also being a temptation for him to use a corner of it for his toilet rather than going outside. While there’s no special formula for sizing a dog house, a good rule of thumb is to measure your dog then add 12″ to the length and 6″ to the width. The roof needs to slope so at the high end add 8″ to your dog’s height and at the low end 3″.
Next, you’ll want to make sure the house is built up off the ground. This keeps the dog off damp soil which will rob him of his body heat. The moisture is also bad for the floor, causing mold and rotting lumber. Inexpensive paver stones are ideal for this application.
You’ll need to make sure the house is well ventilated so moisture doesn’t get trapped inside. A roof or side vent is sufficient, but leave the door either completely open or loosely covered with a flap so the air can still circulate. Just as with the floor, moisture trapped inside the house will breed mold and rot the wood.
Pressure-treated lumber is probably your best best because it holds up well against the weather and lasts significantly longer than standard lumber. Some dog owners prefer to use regular plywood sheathing for the exterior walls then cover them with cedar or vinyl shingles. That makes the house look a bit more attractive; something Fido doesn’t care about but your neighbors might. Regardless of your materials the house needs to be weather proof, just like your home.
Finally, the key to any house is location, location, location. Look for a spot near your house to help the dog remain at ease. Dogs are pack animals and separating your dog’s house from your own by too great a distance causes the dog to feel as though he’s lost his pack. This can lead to aggression and other anti-social behavior. Look for a shady place if possible, and one that obstructs the dog’s view of the street. This will keep him interested in your back yard instead of the rest of the neighborhood.
Now that you have some direction….go build it and Fido will come.
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