5 Things to Consider When Making a House for Your Dog

One of the most common misconceptions about building a doghouse lies in the idea that this is merely a place that is supposed to look like a house but is mostly an improvised shelter for your pet and function. In reality, the nature of this construction has more to do with the structure of your own residence than you might have assumed. Sure, during the summer, your dog probably won’t sleep in the doghouse, to begin with, (provided they have enough shade elsewhere).

However, once the winter arrives or rains of autumn become a serious issue, the quality of the doghouse will truly come to the test. Seeing as how you don’t live there personally, the only way to check its integrity is through the disposition, mood and even health. In other words, this is something you should take very seriously. Of course, our dogs live in the house with us but some dogs like spending time outside. Perhaps you allow them to remain outside while you go to work or run errands? In this case, a dog house can give them protection from the blaring sun in Summer, cold winds in Winter, or an unexpected thundershower. So, here are several things you need to consider when building a doghouse.

5 Things to Consider When Making a House for Your Dog

1. The location of a doghouse

First of all, you need to understand the importance of the location of your doghouse. For instance, if your doghouse is under a roof structure (porch, awning, next to a shed), you might not need to focus on its own roof that much. Second, the wooden walls of a doghouse are a poor insulation, either way, nonetheless, in most cases, they are there to serve as a wind protection. However, if you place a doghouse in a place where it will be shielded from the wind by some other structure, you needn’t worry about this factor either. In other words, you can indeed achieve a lot by merely picking the right spot for the doghouse.

2. Mobile or not

In the previous section we went to lengths to discuss the ideal location for a doghouse, however, we omitted one crucial part. If you’re building a mobile doghouse, its location might not be permanent, which is something to seriously take into consideration. On the one hand, this can be a major advantage, however, if you’re looking forward to creating a doghouse with a proper insulation and more space, you will find yourself at a disadvantage. So, before even starting, you need to think about whether this doghouse will be moved in the nearest future.

3. Tools and materials

Once this is out of the way, you need to properly outfit yourself for this project. When it comes to the tools used for woodworking, you can get away with some basics like a hammer, tape measure, utility knife, circular saw and a drill. As for the materials, this is where things get a bit trickier and preference-dependent. Most commonly, people go with pressure-treated timber, siding panels and regular roof shingles, however, you can feel free to go wild. Aside from this, you will have to outfit yourself with some nails and screws. Finally, those who plan to go one step further might even want to reach out to Azoogi lighting consultants and ask what kind of outdoors system might be the most suitable for a doghouse and its surrounding.

4. Thinking about the floor

The next thing you need to take into consideration is the issue of the floor. First of all, you need to raise it above the ground in order to prevent rain from coming in. Sure, at the moment this might not seem as such a big of an issue but, like always, you need to be ready for the worst-case scenario and prepare for a downpour. Furthermore, you might want to consider your padding options and here you can go with anything from old area rug cutouts to cushions. Overall, it comes down to your personal preference. Ironically, some dogs prefer spending time on the roof, which is why you might want to add a ramp and think about shingles that are not as coarse.

5. Ask for some help

Another thing you need to understand is the fact that a DIY doghouse construction may seem simple, yet, pulling this off on your own can be quite difficult. Still, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t turn this into a group project instead. Call some friends and ask them to help you or employ your family and give everyone a chore to fulfill. After all, this is a furry family member we’re talking about so it’s only fair if the entire family was to contribute.

6. The decoration

At the end of the day, you might want to focus a bit on the decoration. While some dog owners are content with leaving all the materials bare (this can be quite aesthetic), others have something else planned. This can range from something as simple as slapping some paint on the walls to going out of your way to make the doghouse into a real residence. This takes quite a bit of work but, by putting a real facade on the walls, placing a tiny welcome mat in front of the door and choosing the right shingles, you can really achieve a lot.

In conclusion

At the end of the day, making a house for your dog doesn’t have to be a chore when it can obviously be an adventure. Keep in mind that this structure needs to have a certain degree of functionality and not just serve as another backyard ornament. Therefore, make sure that you pick the right spot for your dog (not for the doghouse) and that this construction provides all the necessary comfort and protection. Everything else is optional.