Dog Houses - A Place to Call Home
Whether
inside the home or in the yard, your companion canine
needs a place to call his own. His wild cousins,
the wolves and foxes, naturally live in dens, and
this need for security has carried over to our domestic
pets. Indoors, a wire or plastic training crate
is ideal for this purpose. Remember, the idea is
to create more of a nest, or den, than a larger-sized
kennel-so it should be just large enough for your
dog to stand up, lie down and turn around. Set up
the crate in a warm, quiet spot, and equip it with
comfortable dog bedding. Add some appropriate hard-rubber
toys or sterile bones for him to chew and rest to
his heart's content. Your dog's personal den should
be the perfect place for his peace and quiet. And
should your dog exhibit any destructive behaviors,
such as chewing, when you are gone, you can safely
confine him to his training crate when no one is
around to monitor his activities. As a general rule,
Experts recommend that you keep him crated
no longer than one hour for every month of his age.
Dog Bedding & Outdoor Shelter
If
your dog is lucky enough to have access to a fenced-in
or otherwise escape-proof yard and will be spending
a good deal of time outdoors, he will need a warm,
dry and weather-proof shelter. This includes a roof
and proper bedding, which should be washed often.
Avoid bedding materials that keep in moisture or
retain heat or cold, such as carpeting, astroturf
or rubber.
And
keep in mind, if your yard is escape-proof, you
may want to consider installing a pet door. This
way, your companion canine can go outside on his
own, as he needs. The pet door will also allow him
to retreat to the safety of indoors should he need
relief from the summer sun or inclement weather.
Backyard Dog Kennels
Dogs
who live mainly outdoors should be kept in a properly
equipped kennel. It may be helpful to consult a
professional in your area for a design that's appropriate
for both your dog and the climate you live in. The
kennel should contain fresh water and food, an enclosed
dog house and some safe toys. Canines who live in
outdoor kennels also must be let out regularly and
given adequate exercise. And please note, life outdoors
is not appropriate for certain breeds, namely those
who cannot tolerate all types of weather or those
who were meant to be lap dogs. Remember, canines
are social creatures. A life of isolation-without
people or other dogs-is an extreme hardship on your
pet, and behavioral problems may ensue.
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