The Best Dog Houses to Keep Your Pet Cozy in All Weathers

Who Needs a Dog House?

If you own a pet dog or have a dog for some kind of training and work, getting a dog house should be your priority. A hound home becomes a necessity if you wish to provide your pet with all the comfort and safety. Your dog might roam around for the whole day outside in your backyard or somewhere else. He can get exposed to all kinds of weather in such cases, which is likely to affect his health. Thus, to keep your dog away from adverse climatic conditions, the need for a pet house turns up. Though a dog is a playful and social animal, sometimes he needs a silent space and time. In such cases, his own space to nest and rest would help him where he can be all by himself. 

How To Build A Dog House?

• Building a dog house requires collecting all tools and materials primarily that you will need for construction.
• Make a smart plan for a pet house, taking into consideration the uplifted floor and sloping roof.
• Frame its base by cutting 2 by 4s and screw them together using 3-inch deck screws.
• Sheath that base with an adequate size 3/4 inch pressure treated plywood. Screw it to a 2 by 4 frame using 2-inch deck screws.
• Make its left and right wall framing by cutting 2 by 2s to the required dimension. Attach them with 2-1/2 inch deck screws.
• Cut a 2 by 2s size and attach with 2-1/2 inch deck screws for creating front and back wall framing.
• Attach walls with screws and fix them to that base.
• Now cut the desired 2 by 2s to create its roof framing.
• Mount this roof framing to sides and back. Ensure it has a 12-inch overhang on the front. Fasten properly with screws.
• To make sidings, use 1/2 inch plywood or some other material fastening with 1-1/4 inch deck screws.
• Now attach the roofing to a frame by using the 3/4-inch plywood with a 3/4-inch overhang on sides, front, and back.
• Make an opening on its right side by cutting a fitting and suitable sized rectangle.
• To make a door, cut the piano hinge to size and attach it to link that door to any dog house.
• For giving your dog kennels a better and smarter look, construct a ramp base and cover the roof with grass layering.

Dog House Ideas

Insulated Dog House

The small cute insulated dog house is designed to customize its size and needs. If you use waterproof materials, then they can come for outdoor purposes. Being properly insulated supports the climatic variation keeping winters warm. The easy eye-catchy design does not require any skilled labor to make.

Beginner’s Basic Dog House

The simple and basic design is the best suitable type for all sorts and breeds and is quite easy to make. It can be comfortably accommodated in your backyard resisting temperature variations. With a moderate level of a building, it offers a beautiful time for your pet.

Dog House with a deck

This dog house with deck is a suitable match for summertime, allowing your dog to take a short nap in the sun. It can be insulated well to meet up the temperature needs. Since this design requires a little efficiency to be done, it calls for a skilled carpenter to work upon.

Mini Ranch Dog House

This simple and stylish design does not cost you much to get it done. It features a metal roof that stands up to elements, and the wooden overhang on the top prevents rainwater from dripping inside. For small and medium dog sizes, it can be an appropriate fit.

Types Of Dog Houses

Wooden Dog Houses

Wooden houses are most aesthetically appealing and give a luxurious look to your pet’s house. Since wood is a natural insulator, such a house type is the most appropriate considering climatic changes. They offer more excellent durability, and if the wood is treated well, it offers resistance against insects. Wooden dog houses can be made in various designs and crafted beautifully to give them an attractive look.

Plastic Dog Houses

If you think that a plastic one is of cheap quality or low material house, you are highly mistaken. A good quality plastic comes constructed for the purpose that is generally light in weight, and you can move it easily if required. This kind of house has a sound ventilation system and offers cool and fresh air during summers. Since most insects are prone to attack wood, this type of home is free from such adverse effects of insects. Plastic being resistant to water does not pose any temperature threats and is durable enough to resist climatic changes.

Canopy

The canopy dog house is a perfect match to provide shelter to your small breed dogs. Being easily portable, you can carry it comfortably to parks, outdoors, indoor, or anywhere else. It can be folded within no time and ready to be carried away to allow for easy portability. Designed to provide complete shade and coverage for your pet, this type is considered ideal. This instant dog house is a perfect choice to provide convenience and quick mobility.

Igloo

As the name depicts, they are actually in the shape of an igloo. It is the most common type of dog kennels that allows your pet to comfortably curl in his own space. Houses, generally made of plastic, might not be that compatible with the temperature change. Apart from this, it is good for windy climates and is quite cozy to reside in.

Metal Dog Houses

These types of dog houses are the most suitable for indoor purposes. They might give you longer results but fail to maintain a reasonable temperature. If your dog is house trained, getting a metal house for him can serve your purpose well. Metal houses have sharp edges and ask for attention to pay before buying them.These types of dog houses are the most suitable for indoor purposes. They might give you longer results but fail to maintain a reasonable temperature. If your dog is house trained, getting a metal house for him can serve your purpose well. Metal houses have sharp edges and ask for attention to pay before buying them.

How To House Train A Dog?

1. House training a dog calls to establish a routine for them ensuring to make it follow regularly. It helps them to teach a specific time to eat, play or sleep.
2. Take your dog out frequently as soon as they wake up, after playing, or after eating and drinking.
3. Make a specific bathroom spot outside and take him to that point. Try to have long walks with your pet, and make sure to engage him in playing only after he has relieved himself.
4. Praise your dog or reward him when they have finished outside. It helps them realize the purpose of taking them outside.
5. Feeding a dog at a fixed schedule helps him to take it out at a fixed schedule. This helps to make the training easier for both you and your dog.
6. Remove the puppy’s water dish about two and a half hours before they go to sleep. This helps them to prevent having a bathroom breaking at midnight.

How To Insulate A Dog House?

1. Using pink-colored fiberglass is the most efficient and easy-to-use material for insulation. It is easy to afford and offers increased comfort to your pet.
2. Reflective coil becomes another most commonly used material for many pet owners. It is lightweight and non-toxic and can be simply wrapped up around the dog house.
3. Using bubble wrap for insulation can turn out to be the most effective and easiest way for insulating a kennel. The tiny air bubbles are wrapped across a sheet and offer resistance against temperature.
4. Polystyrene foam or Styrofoam is a readily available material used for various insulating purposes.
5. Expanding foam spray can be used to insulate not large but small dog houses. It expands to fill its space and resist moisture and mold growth.
6. Employing a carpet for insulation purposes is one cheapest way and is easy to go with. Carpet pieces can be easily stapled or glued to the interior surface and floor of the kennel.
7. Though wood does not have many insulating values but still can be used for a similar purpose. By maintaining a small air gap between the pet house walls and wooden panels, you can enhance the insulating properties.

How To Stop A Dog From Peeing In The House?

• If your dog has been house-trained once, there can be chances that he needs to be re-trained. Visiting the training center can help him come back with his training.
• Try to identify or notice any trigger or pattern that causes your dog to pee inside the house. Get aware of it and try to eliminate it or change the elements to calm down your dog.
• Take your dog frequently outside for peeing, immediately after eating, drinking, or after naps. Reward your dog for peeing outside to make him understand the purpose well.
• Don’t scream or scold your dog in case he turns out to pee inside the house. Instead of making him understand, this may backfire, making him more violent.
• If you notice any smell or odor, don’t linger it on and clean it immediately. Your dog is likely to smell much faster than you think it might be suitable to pee inside.
• In case you come to notice by chance their intention of peeing inside, then immediately break their action by making a loud noise. Take them out and praise them for doing their job outdoors.
• Even after trying many things, if you don’t succeed, then visit a vet. Let a vet find out if any urinary problems or issues persist.

How To Keep A Dog House Warm In The Winter?

• Covering up all unwanted holes during the winter season can help to keep your pet’s house warm. You can cover them with wood or plastic sheeting if that exact material is not available.
• Insulate your dog’s home well using an appropriate insulator that works well in cooler climates and helps to retain the heat.
• Add suitable bedding beneath your dog’s house as it may be colder there. Using pine and cedar are good alternatives to use.
• Clothe your dog well with a warm winter jacket that would not only keep them warm but also make them look adorable.
• Add a door to your dog’s house opposite the direction of wind. In an absence of a door, all this heat that is gained is carried out.
• Any extra or leftover space in that kennel should be stuffed up using some of the other warm materials. Using a warm blanket or pillow can help to serve that purpose well.
• Raising the floor a little higher than your ground can also help it to keep warmer.
• Trying to keep the dog’s house in a path of sun’s rays can also help it to keep warmer.
• You can paint the house black as the dark color allows it to warm more quickly than any other color.

How To Build A Dog House Out Of Pallets?

• The first step in creating a pet shelter with pallets is to create its walls by making pallets square and flushed up.
• Use some leftover planks to join two walls.
• Cut the top planks with jigsaw support with a slight tilt to place a roof properly.
• The next step is to cut a door as per your pet’s required size.
• Sand the edges of all walls and supports to place them properly.
• Take a waterproof chipboard to cut out the floor part. Being waterproof will prevent your dog from getting wet.
• With such a type of board, make the roof. Ensure that it is joined well with nails to provide strong support.
• Paint the door with a varnish of your choice and give it an attractive or pleasing look.