Dog House Plans

building a warm dog house

Some dogs spend all the time outside.  When the weather turns cold or hot outside dogs  need to be protected from the elements.  Some dogs, like Northern breeds, may prefer to stay outside in there dog house and can handle the winter. Other dogs, like small dogs with little hair are not suited  for extreme cold or heat, and should not be left outside in poor weather conditions.

The dog house should be big enough for the dog to stand up, turn around and lay down.  A bigger dog house is not needed.  As they like the security of the 4 walls.  Also, in the winter months they will use there own body heat to heat up the dog house.   You may also build the insulation right into the dog house, creating an insulated dog house  is not that hard.  The insulated dog house will help keep your dog warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

Usually you can purchase  a door as an accessory to a dog house.  Some people only put the door on in the winter, but I prefer to have a door always.  I  once had a dog that would only go in the dog house with NO door.  Once I put the door on, he wouldn’t go in it.  So, now, I train them to use the door in all seasons.

You don’t want to use fabric blankets or dog beds in the dog house.  Because if they get wet, when the dog tracks in snow, they are liable to freeze.  This will turn Fidos dog house in a freeze house.  I don’t think he is going to like that.   The best idea is to use straw as the bedding.  The water, if any, will seep down to the bottom keeping it away from your dog.  Also, if you build the dog house so that the roof comes off you can clean it, remove or add new straw and also treat it for ticks and fleas.

Building a dog house can be a bit of a challenge.  It is more than 4 walls and a roof.  When building a dog house there are many points to consider.   Whether you are building a large dog house for outside or a small dog house for inside you need good dog house plans or blueprints before you begin.  And for this guy we are going to need to build a very large dog house.

Some dogs are inside dogs, some are outside dogs.  If you want to build a dog house for inside, you may like it to be snazzy and cute, something that matches your house.  Remember dogs are den animals and will most likely find a spot that is like a den anyway.  Sometimes you will see a dog under a desk, sleeping close to a wall, etc.  They like the feeling of something close, security.  I have had many dogs, all of them were or are crate trained.  The same thing goes with the dog house.  The dog house is like a crate.  They can go someplace they call there own.  To sleep, eat, or just get away from the kids.  They need a place to call there own.

A  few questions to ask yourself before building a dog house are:

• Should you make the roof removable so it is easy to clean?
• Where should the door of the doghouse go?
• Do you need an actual door or just an entrance to keep the dog warm in the winter and cool in the summer?
• Which way should the dog house face?
• How large should it be?
• What should it be made out of?
• Should you elevate the dog house to protect from cold or hot weather?
• Should you use fabric in the dog house to provide heat,  or should you use straw?