Home Repair and Paint Guide

... Some fence companies will erect the kennel for you at a very reasonable fee. All you have to provide is a dog house. Speaking of dog houses, don’t put one too close to the fence. Your dog might be able to climb on top and use it to jump out. Make sure the fence and dog house can withstand weather extremes. This is especially important if you experience high winds in your area. The fence could be blown down or the dog house could leak during heavy rains. Some of the dog houses that can be purchased from home improvement or feed and seed stores are too light for high wind areas. They could easily be blown into the fence and damage it. Not to mention the excitement your dog would experience! Make the dog house large enough so your dog can comfortably lie or turn around. But don’t make it too large because that leads to heat loss. Your dog has to be able to retain his body heat on cold days and a large house will prevent that. If you plan to leave your pet in the kennel on hot days, you must be sure he/she can escape the heat. Dogs don’t sweat and the only way for them to cool off is through heavy breathing and drinking a lot of cold water. Short nose dogs (such as pugs and bulldogs) are highly susceptible to heat stroke and death. Take extra care on hot days. It’s best to construct the kennel in a well shaded area that gets little direct sunlight. The dog house must be raised a couple of inches above the ground to prevent rain water from entering ...