Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Outside Dogs Need Heated And Cooled Dog Houses

By Marissa Velazquez


Dogs are pack animals. Your 4-legged best friend wants to be with his pack leader 24/7. Sometimes that's just not possible. That blanket in the doghouse quickly turns into a soggy rag. Sun beating down on the roof turns his shelter into an oven. It's more affordable than you think to keep your dog safe, comfortable, and healthy, with heated and cooled dog houses.

If you're handy with tools, you can build an insulated dog house adding the heating and cooling features you desire. Other options include purchasing a kit with insulated panels, adding insulation and a heater or air conditioner to an existing house, or buying a ready to go doghouse with the features and options you need.

For efficient climate control, buy or build a doghouse sized so your dog(s) can stand and turn around easily with just room enough to curl up or stretch out. Place the structure on a base so running water can't penetrate the interior. Off center doors add extra protection from rain and wind.

Use non toxic building materials that won't poison your pet if he chews on his house or the roof. Be sure there are no exposed wires that could electrocute your dog if wet or chewed. Heaters and air conditioners designed for dog structures will have no exposed wires or controls, no sharp edges, and a built-in heat guard. Most are wall mounted to warm the interior without directly blowing hot air on the dog. They're thermostatically controlled, keeping the interior a comfortable temperature and costing very little to operate.

When a dog is enclosed in a well built, insulated doghouse, his body temperature raises the inside temperature approximately 20 degrees. In spring and fall, a removable wall functions like opening a window. Heating and cooling pads are adequate for moderate weather. Most climates have winter and summer extremes during which our animals need extra care.

Factors in choosing a doghouse are size and breed, local climate extremes, when your dog will be outdoors, and for how long. No matter your budget, you can afford a comfortable home for Fido. Build from scratch, customize an existing structure, buy a no frills basic heated and/or cooled model, or buy an attractive luxury doghouse with lights and a deck too.

Dogs want to keep tabs on the comings and goings of their human pack. A doghouse in the rear corner of the yard won't get much use. Find a location that's shaded, dry, and within sight and sound of home and driveway. If new to doghouse life, place the structure in his usual napping area. Move it a few yards at a time after Fido has discovered that his doghouse is a comfy home.

Fun dog houses are surprisingly economical. Add an attractive "cottage" to your backyard, or a log cabin, a country barn, an A-Frame design. Choose heating or air conditioning or both. Your husky will need air conditioning in a hot climate. Short haired dogs need both in any climate. All dogs need heat when the temperature dips below freezing. Above ground structures are not equivalent to an underground wolves den. Heated and cooled dog houses have dog doors, painted trims in a choice of colors, interior lights, attached porches, removable roofs and/or walls.




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