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      Tips for Building a Dog House

You don't want to invest a lot of time, effort and money into building a dog house only to find that your dog won't use it. So, here are some tips for building a great one that you dog will love and use.

1. Most of us like houses where there is at least two feet of air above our heads - in order to avoid feelings of claustrophobia. This comfort zone translates into about 1/3 of our standing height. You should allow your dog the same amount of airiness. Figure out how tall the dog is (or will be when fully grown) and then make sure the dog house roof is at least 1/3 taller than this.

2. The dog house should be raised a few inches off the ground to allow water and air to flow under it. Also, be sure there is adequate ventilation. You can ensure this by drilling a few nickel-sized holes in the walls under the eaves.

3. Install a wind block inside the house so the dog can use its own heat to warm things up when it is cold or windy.

4. When evaluating plans, look for one that either includes a partial wall or is large enough that you can add a partial wall. This is so that the dog can escape the elements as necessary. If the weather is bad, the dog can choose to either sleep in the entry room or go around the inner wall into its "inner sanctum."  You might check out some of the dog house kits on the market.

5. Slant the house just a bit toward the door. This helps ensure that if any rain enters via the ventilation holes or doorway, it will drain out the door. Also, make sure you slant the roof to ensure proper run-off.

7. Build it so the door faces away from storms. Good dog houses are usually built facing east as most storms come from the north or west.

8. Put hinges on the roof for easy cleaning. When you clean the dog, make sure you also clean his house and bedding. After all, you would not want to sleep in a room that hasn't been cleaned for months or a bed where the sheets haven't been changed for weeks.

9. When choosing a site, make sure it is not in an area that drains poorly, or where rain frequently accumulates. The dog house should not be sited near a river or stream where it (and your dog) could be swept away by a flood. Also, do not put the house on an unstable ledge where erosion or a seismic effect could cause trouble.

10. Also, be sure to consider your dog's habits. Some dogs like to sit on top of their house. If this is true of your dog, don't put roll roofing or shingles on the top of the dog house since they can get very hot in the summer.