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Dog Houses
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Dog houses are an indispensable part of American culture. But dog houses actually predate America. They hearken back to England, and specifically London. The foggy, rainy conditions of London are notorious. Equally notorious are the British inclinations for an immaculate house. These two forces acted in opposition to one another on dog owners in London. After all, a dog tracking hair about the house was unacceptable for a socialite. But the missus and kids refuse to leave the dog out in the rain. What to do?
It’s unclear who first came up with the idea of a miniature house for dogs, but they caught on rather quickly for the social climbers in England. It was the perfect solution; they could show prosperity by providing a house specifically for their dog! At the same time they proved themselves magnanimous by providing for the meanest of their household, the animals. It was an instant success that quickly became immortalized in popular culture.
Since its inception the dog house has become a stereotypical small, roofed enclosure that a dog can sit within to stay out of the sun, rain, or snow. It can provide cooling shade in the summer, and needed heat in the winter. Cartoons such as Loony Toons show a dog sitting within their house, surveying their yard or gnawing on a bone.
If you’re looking for dog houses, there are many options available to you. There are pre-fabricated houses, ready to take home. There are house kits for those who want them. Or for the true do it yourselfer you could build a dog house from scratch.
When buying a pre made dog house, or purchasing a kit, you should ensure that the house is going to fit your dog. A properly sized dog house should allow the dog to turn around inside the house, and have space for both food dishes and bedding. This can make a dog house 2-3x the size of your dog.
The materials used should also be taken into consideration. For instance are the dog houses made of plastic, or wood? Is the model you’re looking at insulated? Is the roof shingled or bare? Is the exterior weatherproofed? What you need from the doghouse depends a lot on both your hound and your climate.
If you have a very humid and rainy climate, you would likely be better off with a plastic doghouse. If your climate is warmer and dry, wood will stand up better to the sun. If you plan on the house being a year round spot for your dog, it’s recommended that you have an insulated doghouse. For extra warmth, you can install a door flap on the entrance. If you do get a wooden house and it will rain more than a few times in the year, you should shingle and weatherproof the exterior of the house. This will extend the life of both the roof and sides of your house.
Once your dog house is built, you still need to acquaint your pet with its new home. One good technique is to place your pet’s favorite toys or bedding inside the new dog house. This is especially effective for bedding, as the dog has it marked as a safe place. Another good option is to place food or treats in the house. Within a month, your dog should feel like the house belongs to them, and feel comfortable staying there.
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