by Nancy Houser

Created on: October 28, 2008

The issue of dog houses and its importance in a dog's life involves a lot of variables, which need to be taken into consideration before one can define whether or not dog houses are good or bad for the pet. These variables consist of whether or not the dog spends the majority of its time outside or is used as a temporary shelter for an inside dog, the breed of dog involved, the quality of the dog house, the correct size for the breed, whether it is kept clean, and whether or not it is insulated and has a wind break. And last but not least, the type of owner the dog has is the most important part of their life, as a good owner is conscientious about the care of their pet and will go that extra mile to make sure their animal is comfortable and well-cared for. Unfortunately, there are dog owners who get the cheapest dog house they can buy and slap it anywhere out in their yard for the dog to live-out their entire lives. A dog house can be good for a dog, as a source of protection and a shelter they consider their "home", or it can be a cold, dirty, neglected old wooden dog house full of critters in the woodwork which the dog has to sleep in as it has nowhere else to go for shelter.

Dogs need some type of den to head off to, whether they are inside or outside. Snuggling under the blanket to sleeping inside a dog house provides a secure feeling the dog has evolved with, even though sleeping in the middle of the couch or master's bed has been known to be just as satisfying. The word adequate is a personal interpretation by each dog owner, depending on what they know about their dog's breed and about the care of their pet. Does the animal receive "adequate" food, water, sanitation, restand adequate shelter? Even inside dogs that spend short time periods outside need an adequate dog house as a shelter for several reasons: if they are not brought in right away, it begins to rain, or the shopping trip takes too long.

The word adequate also varies a lot, depending on the time of year, the location of the dog's home, and the type of weather involved. Igloo dog houses with a curved front are better than those with a flat front, as the dog can get away from the wind, rain, or snow with adequate protection. Placing a board in front tilted from the top down will eliminate the elements even more, or turning the dog house to a solid object to break the elements, such as the home, a garage, solid fence, or shed, which can make a difference in the dog's live better. Making sure

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>