| If you are a dog owner, then chances are | | | | ground that could pull body heat from |
| you have wanted to let your dog stay | | | | the dog. The second insulator is to trap |
| outside at one time, and a dog house | | | | the dog's body heat in the straw and by |
| makes this possible. A well built dog | | | | doing this create a zone of warmed air |
| house is like a well built house for | | | | around the dog nestled into the straw. |
| your dog, and it should provide shelter | | | | It is very important when either buying |
| from the elements, be waterproof and | | | | or making a a dog house that you take |
| sealed well on the outside, and the roof | | | | into consideration the breed of dog and |
| ideally will have real house shingles | | | | their expected mature size. If your dog |
| put on to further provide a weather | | | | is a puppy but a large breed, make sure |
| proof dog house. | | | | you change the openings to allow for |
| The exterior of the house should be | | | | growth in the dog until adulthood. You |
| sealed against rain, moisture, and wind. | | | | may also want to research your specific |
| This is especially important if you live | | | | breed of dog if it is still a puppy, |
| in the northern climates where winter | | | | just to make sure you know how big it is |
| climates can be bitterly cold. A layer | | | | going to get. |
| of straw or hay should be spread thickly | | | | When leaving your dog tied up outside in |
| on the floor of the dog house, and then | | | | his dog house always make sure that he |
| an old blanket laid over the hay to make | | | | is securely tied, chained, fastened, or |
| a comfortable place to curl up and | | | | inside a closed fenced in area. This |
| sleep. | | | | makes sure that your dog and any people |
| The hay or straw serves two different | | | | around stay safe and out of harms way. |
| purposes. The first purpose is to | | | | Always make sure that there is fresh |
| cushion the ground and give the dog a | | | | food and water right outside the dog |
| soft and comfortable place to rest. The | | | | house so that your dog can access it. In |
| second purpose of the hay or straw is | | | | the winter time be very vigilant about |
| insulation, and this actually works two | | | | checking the water if your dog is |
| ways. | | | | outside in the dog house, as the water |
| The straw keeps the dog warm and | | | | can freeze over and your dog can not get |
| insulates the dog against the cold | | | | water. |