Dog House

[Mikey]

Ok unusually enough I'm not in it at the moment!!

No, at present my beautiful springer spanial is outside during the day, we have a covered verandah about 14 metres by 6 which is enclosed on three sides, so he's sheltered out of the elements and remains nice and dry but, I've been considering making him a little shelter where he can retire to and have a nap, a den if you will. As I have no idea whether he will actually use it I thought it would be quite nice to have it double up as a herb bed with a living roof.




Any thoughts, possible improvements potential pitfalls?

I have some 50mm foil backed insulation so I can line between 2 x 12mm plywood skin walls for walls & floor. This might be a bit overkill but, he can always come out if he's too warm!!

[Hazel at the Hill]

Just wondering about drainage for the herbs, Mikey?

[veggiechicken]

Will your doggie jump up on the roof and dig up the herbs?

[Scarlet]

Has he been crate trained? He may well not like going to sleep in a box?

[Kristen]

have no idea whether he will actually use it

Dunno about Spaniels, but we built our dogs (Golden Retrievers) a lovely, spacious, Day Den - looked much like your drawing, but with a pitched roof. They never used it. Now we have an open barn which they can just wander into, it has (well "had") a rug in there for them. They never use it. Pouring rain, they sit / lie on the lawn ... sometimes they shelter under a tree. In summer they seed out some shade, the barn has a lovely cold concrete floor, they rarely use it ...

Our dogs are outdoor dogs. They come in in the evening, but sleep in the porch area which is not cold but not hot either, so maybe a more indoor-dog would choose to use a shelter?

[Kristen]

Has he been crate trained? He may well not like going to sleep in a box?

We tried to encourage our dogs to "enjoy" being in both the Day Den and subsequently the Barn byt always putting their feed & water bowls in there. They still choose not to use them, other than to eat their food there ... we decided we were mollycoddling them unnecessarily and decided to leave them to it. They've got shelter if they need it, they clearly don't think that they do!

[Mikey]

I'd line the inside with plastic hazel and as it will be under the verandah so the soil won't get wet unless I water it.

He's unlikely to jump up VC as he's quite a chilled dog, he's well exercised either end of the day so spends most of the time we are out sparked out. He's also a dog we could leave a freshly cooked pie on the table go out for a couple of hours and come home to a cooked pie!!

He slept in a covered open crated upto about 12 months Scarlet so I don't think he'd feel bothered by it, he was never closed in it so that he couldn't get out so he doesn't have any negative connotations with a crate.

My daughter naturally wants a window and various other decorative details like a chimney!!!, not sure how he'll light the fire?

[veggiechicken]

My daughter naturally wants a window and various other decorative details like a chimney!!!, not sure how he'll light the fire?

Rub two boy scouts together?
Your daughter's right, of course he needs a window, with curtains for privacy - and a kettle to make hot drinks while you're out

[Mikey]

Don't you start!!!

I made her a log cabin wendy house, which had a bench, 2 lattice framed windows a sink and a blackboard but, she wouldn't go in there as she didn't like spiders!!!

I'm planning on making the roof removable (lift off), and independent of the frame so that if it does spring a leak, I only have to replace one section. (Ever the pragmatist!!)

[veggiechicken]

Let the dog have the log cabin and build your daughter a den on the verandah - simple

[Mikey]

I've just been emailed by my daughter 3 possible designs. A normal pitched roof design with chimney and doorbell!!!, a sun lounger roof with side steps and integrated bowls, and a log cabin.






The dangers of having a 9 year old draftswoman!!!!

[Mikey]

Let the dog have the log cabin and build your daughter a den on the verandah - simple

The log cabin is now full of logs for the fire, (what else would you keep in a log cabin!!)

[mothhawk]

Waste of time, Mikey. Dogs are not "cave" animals, and prefer to rest/sleep in the open. If you put a blanket on the top instead of herbs she would likely sleep up there, 'cos they do seem to appreciate a raised vantage point.

[ancee]

My two are weirdos. Lovely beds, eaten. More beds, eaten. Blankets destroyed. They sleep on bare floors, rest their heads on concrete steps. If you give them a soft pillow they look at you in disgust and shove it out of the way for the concrete! I feel bad as they don't look comfy. When I go to bed though they go on the settee! I've given up trying to stop them. I move the cushions off and just wipe it clean in the morning. Could never have a fabric one! They used to quickly jump off when I walked in but now they just look at me and wag and grin!

[Potstubsdustbins]

Seems has if they have you well trained lol