Things You'll Need:
- Dog Beds
- Dog Dishes
- Doghouses And Doors
- Heated Dog Beds
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Step 1
Think in terms of the size of your dog. You'll need to make your doghouse big enough for him to comfortably enter, stand, turn around and stretch out full-length - but not so big that the dog's own body heat will not be able to warm it in cold weather.
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Step 2
Plan on building separate doghouses for multiple dogs. Most dogs don't share a doghouse well - one dog will tend always to be more comfortable, putting the other at risk for developing health problems brought on by stress.
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Step 3
Consider where you'll put the doghouse. Placing it next to a human-scale structure may provide weather protection. Be aware that the sides of buildings can either defend against - or intensify - heat and cold. Sheltering the doghouse under a tree that is leafy in the summer and bare in winter can make the doghouse a more pleasant place to be.
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Step 4
Remember your maintenance needs. Unless your dog is trained to use a mop and a broom, you'll have to get in there occasionally to clean, so plan on making one of the walls or the roof removable.
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Step 5
Remember also that you'll have to keep up on exterior maintenance to insure the structure remains weatherproof.
