Breeds of dogs all differ, just as owners Differ. Housing your dog depends on many factors, such as your lifestyle, your dog breed and the amount of room you have to spare.
For those who dont know me, my name is Sue Walton, and I am a professionaly accredited Dog trainer and coach. This article shares with you some of my top dog housing tips, but for my best secrets and heaps more info, you need to visit my site on dog training tips, which has a huge section on choosing and siting a great kennel/dog house.Â
We should start by assessing what breed you have. Housing your dog largely depends on its requirements to stay safe warm and dry.
Toy varities, by the virtue of their petite size, make brilliant house pets. Many owners of small dogs such as terriers, shitzu or bichon are happy all the time, provided they are trained well!
These small breeds respond well to the house environment, providing they know their place in the home! You’ll probly find that a matt or a doggy bed aroun the size of a cat bed will suffice for these small breeds.
Keeping them in garage or washhouse could be ideal, given that the dog feels safe and it has a little area of its own. Dogs after all are known to be territorial.
As for larger dogs, such as medum sized spaniels, boxers/terriers, you will find that having them inside becomes tedious and irritating. Not only for you as owner, but for your dog too.
They need spacious areas that the outdoors gives them.
In addition, you need to think about the size and space you have for housing your dog.
If your garage is well ventilated, cosy and there is not to much clutter, it might be a great area for your dog to live, if however its full of clutter and your dog has to live in a small area where it cannot make its own space, it will quickly become fustrated.
For those of us that live in areas like apartments and duplex houses (or attatched units) you have to be very cautious of how your dog will be exposed to the neighours. For many breeds, being housed where people can fustrate them and irritate them.
Youve also got to consider what sort of breed requires what sort of housing to live in.
The breeder will have sussed you out before selling a dog, to see if your home suits that breed, however some people often come across dogs in other circumstances. Always do lots of research into your breeds living habits. A lazy bulldog will surely be happy with a corner of the yard and not much space, but you try and keep a livly breed like a pointer in a small yard, and you’ll drive the poor dog insane. Working breeds are active and require room to run and spacious kennels.
If your in this situation, and have a yard space for your dog to be housed and run around in, at all costs ensure that the fence you put up or have, is in good order and is very secure. Consider that your dog should not get out, but also think if anything else can get into the area. Cats, other dogs & children are known for getting into places where they shouldnt be, and this can lead to trouble!
Housing a your dog also has situational requirements. Think about your climate and where you are going to site the kennel. will your pet be cold? Windy? Directly sunny? Consider all these reasons when pacing a dog house in your chosen space. Kennel insulation will be required if the area is prone to frosts or snowfall.
Obviously, in this circumstance a saint bernard will be happier than a greyhound, so exercise common thought about the breed your dealing with. Pay attention to areas that get very hot, as this can affect the dog quickly.
Black paint on that kennel might suit your house, but will it cook your dog….? As far as getting a kennel goes, now days there are great off the shelf items that suit many lifestyles and designs. Moulded ones are popular but watch out if your pet is a chewer!
Avoid fibreglass kennels at all costs, as the glass can mean pain and discomfort for your pet. Wood is ever popular, and looks good and is very dog friendly. If your budget allows, go for a wood kennel!
My best dog housing tips, and some great examples of kennels and enclosure designs can be found at my dog resource page on housing your dog. Check it out, and the rest of my site www.dog-hobbyist.com