Where should your dog live?
21 May 2009
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.
Its best to start by assessing what dog you have. Housing the dog depends on its requirements to remain safe warm and dry.
Toy breeds, by the virtue of their petite size, make perfect house dogs. 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 home 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 just for you, but for your dog too.
They need the space and freedom that outdoor spaces provide.
Secondly, you will needs to consider the size and space you can offer for housing your dog.
If your garage is well aired, cosy and there is not to much clutter, it might be a great place for your dog to live, if however its full of gear and your dog has to live in a corner where it cannot make its own space, it will quickly become fustrated.
For those who live in small residential apartments or similar, you have to be very aware of how your dog will react with neighbours or strangers. Many dog breeds dont take to kindly to being kept where other people can annoy them and irritate them.
Youve also got to think about what sort of breed needs what sort of kennel or house.
Your breeder will have sussed you out before selling a dog, to see if your lifestyle suits that breed, however people often come across dogs in other circumstances. Do plenty of research into your chosen breeds living requirements. A lazy bulldog will surely be happy with a corner of the yard and not much room, but try and keep an active variety or breed like a pointer in a small yard, and you’ll drive the poor dog insane. Working and active breeds must have spacious runs, roomy kennels and should never be kept in tight quarters.
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 peoples dogs and children are good at getting into places where they are not supposed to be, and this can lead to problems!
Housing a 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 insulaton might be required if the area is frosty or gets snowfall regularly or intensely.
Obviously, in this circumstance a saint bernard will be happier than a greyhound, so exercise common thought about the breed your dealing with. Think about hot areas, that can affect a dog really quick.
Black paint on that kennel might suit your house, but will it cook your dog….? As far as purchasing a kennel goes nowadays there are great off the shelf items that suit many lifestyles and homes. Moulded plastic ones are popular but be warned if your dog is a chewer!
Avoid GRP kennels like the plague, as the glass can lead to harm and discomfort for your pet. Wood ones are hard wearing and look great also. If you can afford a nice wooden kennel, go for one!
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
