CHECK OUT 5 GREAT TIPS ON BUILDING A DOG HOUSE

Over 50% of the population allows their dog to stay indoors and sleep on the couch or in the owner's bed. Here are some simple rules to follow when considering what type of shelter you want to provide for those interested in building a dog house for your beloved pet.

1. You should begin your dog house-building process by ensuring the house is big enough to accommodate your animal's potential adult size. Humans enjoy having about 2 feet of air above us in a room to live without feeling claustrophobic. Your dog will probably also enjoy having that much room. The comfort zone for both humans and dogs is about 1/3 of their standing height. To figure out how much space the dog will need, get out a tape measure and measure your dog. Measure him standing straight up, sitting on his haunches, and above all, measure the whole dimension of the dog when he is in the most comfortable, relaxed, and stretched-out position he can get into. Your dog should be able to look out the front entrance while both standing up and sitting. So the dog will not have to significantly love his front shoulders or scrape his belly to make sure that the door is high enough. Stand over the dog and measure the width of the widest point of the animal's shoulders.

2. Remember to raise the dog house several inches from the ground to allow air and water to flow underneath. To dissuade pests from invading the dog house and consider your dog's health remember how important ventilation is. Put in a few nickel-sized holes in the walls under the eaves. Install a wind block inside the house so the dog can use the heat of its own body to warm up the area if it is cold or windy outside. Consider adding a partial wall that will allow your dog to escape the bad weather. Your animal can choose to sleep in the entry room or go around the inner archway maze wall into the inner sanctum. Your beloved pet would probably love having a pillow or some sort of bedding to sleep on.

3. To avoid rain coming into the dog house, make the floor just a bit slanted toward the doorway and build the roof a little bit slanted, as well. Ensure the house is well insulated but without paint inside.

4. In the United States, most storms come from the south and west, so make sure the dog house faces a different direction. Most dog house plans suggest that the dog house door faces east. The cold air will not be able to whip through the entryway then, and your dog will be safe from flu.

5. It is suggested that you put hinges on the roof of the dog house. This makes it easier for you to clean out your dog's home. You should clean the dog's house as often as you bathe your dog.

If your dog lives outside, he deserves to have a comfortable place to sleep and get out of harsh weather. Hopefully, these easy tips on building a dog house will help you get started.