Where do you put a dog house outside? Simple and Effective Tips

So keep some of these tips in mind when designing your new dog kennel and add your own ideas to give your pal, and you, a kennel that you can both enjoy.

By Joe Shown, President of K-9 Kondo When dog owners build a dog kennel, a great deal of planning is usually given to what type of panel to use, how big the pad should be, and if the dog kennel should have some type of cover. However, one of the most important factors to consider is generally overlooked: Where should you place the doghouse?

When placing the doghouse outside the dog kennel, the temptation to only make a hole in the panel large enough for the dog to enter and exit the doghouse is common. This requires attaching the chain link or panel to the doghouse. However, the best method is to frame an opening large enough for the entire front of the doghouse to be either flush with the kennel wall or extend into the dog kennel by an inch or two. The framed opening gives a clean, professional look to the dog kennel rather than a hodgepodge arrangement.

Finally, we must decide where to place the doghouse in relation to the dog kennel gate or entry. Well-known author and dog trainer Bill Tarrant wrote in one of his books about this subject and was the inspiration for this missive. He pointed out that the dog shelter should be placed adjacent to the gate so that the owner can step inside without dodging waste and not force the dog to track through its mess when coming to the dog owner or leaving for a run. In most cases this also allows the dog owner to concentrate water and power sources (if installed) near the entry and the doghouse—a very handy arrangement when temperatures are cold and winds are strong.

Most of the dog runs I see have the doghouse placed near the back, usually in a corner inside the dog kennel. Most dog owners would tell you that such placement gives the dog the maximum use of available space to stretch, move around, and discharge their waste. And discharge they do, usually at the farthest point from their doghouse—conveniently placed in front of the entry for the dog owner to step in. So how can the dog owner avoid all of this? By placing the doghouse on the outside of the dog kennel with an entry point through the wall panel, the dog owner can access the doghouse without negotiating mounds of kennel waste. The dog is also less likely to damage its doghouse through chewing.

Build a chain link kennel

One way to do this is by building a chain link kennel. While it requires a bit of investment, a chain link kennel is an excellent way to keep your dog safe from any unwanted visitors. In other words, while a dog house allows your pup to rest at ease, a strong chain link kennel allows you to do so too. It also helps you stay compliant with your area’s local leash laws, and it enables you to move your pooch to another area of your backward for safety reasons.

If you don’t like the idea of a giant fenced-in box in your backyard, you can also use metal or wood fencing, although you’ll want to make sure your dog can’t jump out. In addition, if your dog is small, you want to ensure that any larger birds of prey can’t carry them off.

Another option is to set up a pet containment system—commonly known as a dog fence. Installing a wireless dog fence avoids a lot of the grunt work associated with creating a run. Some pet containment systems require you to bury a wire in your yard, but there are modern wireless systems you can easily set up and run from within your house.

However you choose to go about it, setting up a dog fence can open up your entire yard for canine adventures. It gives them room to run and can provide easier access to shady places to rest. If you go this route, make sure that your yard is dog-friendly and stripped of any toxic plants or grasses.

Build a dog house yourself

This frees you to be either elaborate in your designs or minimalistic to keep the costs down. There are many free plans online that offer various dog house options. Make sure that you choose a design that is the right size for your pooch once they’re fully grown. Dogs are den animals, so their dog houses should be fairly small, typically around 25% taller and longer than the animal.

As you go about building or buying your dog house, remember that this is a typical cost of having a dog that spends most of its time outdoors. If you’re going to commit to raising an animal, it’s crucial to provide them with a safe, secure space that they can make their own.

If you live in an area with cold temperatures, it’s critical to provide your pup with a winter dog house to protect him from frigid winds, ice, and snow. In that case, make sure the dog house is properly insulated so they won’t feel uncomfortable with the extreme weather conditions associated with winter.

A good dog house gives your animal a place of respite. If they show fearfulness as fireworks light up the sky on the 4th of July, having a dog house will provide them with a place to retreat and hide until the loud noises cease. Also, if they’re tired of playing outside, a dog house in your backyard can provide them with a safe space to sleep and rest until they get their energy back.

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