Many pet owners want to get knowledge about how to build a dog house for your beloved pooch. According to estimates, the relationship between dogs and humans dates back approximately 16,000 years. Recent research has pushed domestication back further. A study by Nature Communications suggests that the domestication of dogs took place approximately 32,000-years ago.
Dogs are popular pets in the United States. Data from the American Pet Products Association shows that 60.2 million households in America have a pet dog, and 89.7 million people are owners. Several studies show that owning a pet helps maintain health. It is linked to reducing the risk of dying from heart disease, improving fitness, decreasing stress, elevating mood, alleviating allergy symptoms and boosting the immune system.
Dog owners are concerned about their dogs’ health, happiness and behavior. Doghouses are a safe place for dogs to stay when outside. Doghouses and kennels can provide shelter from animals and protect them against the elements.
Benefits of a Doghouse
Many pet owners let their dogs live inside. Farm dogs, for example, may live outside in cages or attached to barns. Dogs may still spend several hours each day outside, no matter where they live.
It is important to give your dog time outside for his mental and physical health. This also helps to relieve boredom, as it introduces variety into the dog’s daily routine. Dogs can be seen engaging in canine behaviors such as smelling scents, running, and lying on the grass when they are outside.
Some owners have to leave dogs outdoors while at work or doing chores. They may also entertain guests who can be exciting or upsetting for their pet. Dogs can use a kennel or doghouse to observe the environment, sleep, or get away from situations that are too stimulating. Allowing dogs to spend time outside in a shelter can help calm them and prevent them from being aggressive or destructive.
Build a Doghouse to Save Money
Doghouses are a must. A doghouse can be costly to buy. Constructing a doghouse may prove more cost-effective than buying one.
Doghouses of today are both functional and attractive. There are many different doghouse styles to choose from. Choose from an A-frame design, a log cabin, an igloo or southwest adobe, as well as a copy of your house with paned window, siding, and shingled roofing.
Anyone who has basic knowledge of construction and is comfortable with using tools can build a doghouse themselves. If you don’t want to buy a kit or plan, how-to videos are a great guide for building your doghouse. You only need to buy construction materials, and then follow the step-by-step process.
Materials to Build a Doghouse
Material for the doghouse is determined by how it will look, its insulation properties, and maintenance. You will also need to determine if the structure is temporary or permanent. You can choose from fabric, wood or plastic.
A tent-like structure is made of fabric. You can easily assemble and disassemble it, making it ideal for use in your yard or on trips with your pet. Fabric doghouses will not protect your dog from severe weather.
Plastic is lightweight, portable, waterproof, and resistant to rot. Durable construction resists scratching and biting, so dogs can’t damage it. Cleaning is easy with water, a cloth and a hose.
Doghouses made of wood are very popular. Shelters made of wood are the most durable and provide excellent protection against all types of weather. Cedar doghouses are resistant to fleas, mosquitoes, and ticks. They also last longer.
Give Your Dog a Comfortable Home in an Environmentally Friendly and Sustainable Doghouse
Sustainable and eco-friendly doghouses are made from non-toxic materials and protect biodiversity and ecosystems. Eco-friendly products save resources through the use of less water and energy during production. Materials are biodegradable, nontoxic or recyclable from wood, metal or plastic.
Material for a doghouse made of green materials can be salvaged wood, or wood boards composed from wood chip remnants. The sustainable plastic material is created from recycled waste and can be used for building a doghouse. Paints and stains applied to wood must have low levels of volatile organic compounds (VOC) so that they emit less pollution and produce less smell.
If you use blankets or towels to pad a doghouse, they can get damp and moldy and may attract pests. Natural materials are better for bedding. Cedar or straw shavings can keep your dog comfortable and warm while also repelling fleas and ticks.
Components for a Perfect Doghouse
It must meet specific specifications. The doghouse should be sized correctly, provide adequate ventilation, and rise above the ground. A doghouse should be strong.
To determine the right size of the doghouse, measure your dog’s height and add 9 inches. Add 18 inches for length and 12 inches for width. The doors should face one direction to provide dogs with privacy and protect them from the weather. They need to be large enough to allow dogs to enter, yet not too big so that the shelter is comfortable. When dogs enter the shelter, they need to be able stand, turn around, and have access to their water and food.
Drilling a few quarter-sized holes at the top allows air to flow, which is especially helpful in humid and hot climates. The shelter must be raised off the ground to allow for extra ventilation. This will also prevent the building from becoming rotten and protect against flea infestations. It is important to have a sturdy doghouse in order to prevent the building from being destroyed or blown away by heavy winds, rain and snowstorms.
When building a doghouse, be careful
Even though it’s a good idea to make your own doghouse, accidents can happen. According to the National Safety Council, 44,5 million Americans sought medical care in 2016 for injuries that were not fatal and could have been prevented. This is one out of seven Americans.
When undertaking a DIY construction project, a non-professional carpenter may encounter some risks. Accidents involving power tools, flying debris and table saws can cause injuries. Lacerations, amputations and electrocution are all possible injuries.
Use caution when using construction tools. When using tools, you should always follow the instructions and guidelines. Wear protective equipment like goggles, gloves and appropriate footwear.