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Posted by Dioclese on February 20, 2008, 9:09 pm
> On Wed, 20 Feb 2008 06:15:14 -0600, "Craig M"
>
>>Here is one more idea for you:
>>Use the foil covered foam insulation on the floor, cover with a blanket,
>>use
>>a old fashioned heating pad, yes they are still out there, put another
>>blanket on top of it, route the cord out of the dog house, set it to low,
>>or
>>at most to med, for realy cold nights, kept one of our dogs warm for many
>>winters, some cold days she would never leave the bed we fixed for her.
>
> For many dogs this is not a good idea. They like to chew on things and
> eventually they'll chew the heating pad. As well, you'd need to
> regularly inspect the pad for damage to prevent electircal shock
> hazards... If Fido gets zapped he won't go back into that dog house
> ever again! <bg>
>
> A slightly better solution would be roof heating tape with a built in
> thermostat, installed on the roof (less likely to get chewed) which
> would radiate heat downwards.
>
> But, seriously...
>
> A properly designed and sized (not too large!) dog house should not
> require heat at all, the dog's body heat will warm it up nicely. I've
> years of experience in this (in NH where it can get damned cold) with
> German Shepards who lived 100% outdoors year round. I used a dog house
> called a 'DogLoo' (that's probably badly spelled) made of plastic.
> Indestructable. Always had a bed of straw (renew the straw as needed,
> usually every fwe months).
>
> A small 50 watt lightbulb would be sufficient for virtually any heat
> requirements as well, and there would be no reason to ever turn it off
> (in the winter) either.
>
> BTW, electric dog water bowls are vital to allow the dog to have fresh
> water as needed, though most dogs will choose to eat snow if they can
> get it...
>
Built a dog house in the side of hill. 6'X6'X3.5' high. Cinder block
construction on a 6" deep slab. Cinder blocks are concrete filled with
rebar to boot inside to the slab. Painted inside and out with basement type
paint to block water intrusion. Front opening cover is a rubber mat cut
just a hair smaller than the opening. 2x4 frame, slanted roof, steel roof
covering, with insulation between rafters.
Seen the 2 dogs in it twice. Been over a year. Tried all kinds of floor
coverings. Nothing works. They sleep outside on the porch.
Considering moving all my flammables from the garage to the dog house...
--
Dave
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