Summer Pet Care: Let’s Clean Up The Dog House

Image Via: Sunset

[ad#co-1]

Cleaning The Inside

After being used over a period of time dog houses become very dirty because of the accumulated dust, mud and dirt. The problem intensifies during summers. Dogs tend move a lot inside their space and tend to dirty it whilst finding a perfect pose to settle in. Sanitizing the dog house at regular intervals of time becomes very important hence. You need to remove the lid as well as the floor insulation and sanitize the interiors with a little soap and water. You can add shine to the interiors using a little elbow grease too! The market today is flooded with cleaning agents specifically for this purpose and you can take your pick. The important thing to remember here is to let the insides dry completely before putting back the floor or the lid. Otherwise you could face the problem of toxic smells.

Image Via: Lushome

Tackle The Bedding

There are many who use straw, grass and wood shavings in their dog house. Whilst it might be of some benefit in winters I feel that such bedding isn’t a very good idea. The straw tends to break and the wood shavings and grass stick to our sweaty friends. Horse mats form good bedding options and so do cozy door mats. Be careful and change or wash the bedding every month or so.

Image Via: New Nise

Take Off The Rust

Dogs sometimes tend to urinate inside their shelters. This holds especially true for bitches. Frequent urination and sweating might lead to the rusting of iron and aluminum parts in the interiors. When it goes unnoticed for sometime, the rust may start leaving toxic material harmful for the dogs. Have the metal parts sprayed and treated for rust regularly. This also brings us to an important reminder-change and clean the dog bedding regularly!

Image Via: The Owner Builder Network

Dogs are like kids, they love us unconditionally and we need to take care of them. Maintaining their health and hygiene is one of the prime tasks in a good pet care regime. When maintained in the right way your dog house can last for along time and provide everlasting care and comfort to your pet. So put in a little time very month or so and have a great dog house:) Do share your ideas on maintaining a dog house’s hygiene.

Click here for more Pet Care Ideas on Stagetecture!

]]> https://stagetecture.com/summer-pet-care-lets-clean-dog-house/feed/ 0 77296 https://stagetecture.com/pet-care-how-to-make-a-dog-house-warm-in-the-winter/ https://stagetecture.com/pet-care-how-to-make-a-dog-house-warm-in-the-winter/#comments Tue, 24 Feb 2015 13:41:06 +0000 https://stagetecture.com/?p=74016 Our dogs are vulnerable to cold and winter winds just as much as we are. Thus, it’s important to make sure that their doghouse is up to par and properly winterized. Responsible pet owners make sure to spend enough time to create a nice warm shelter for their pets during cooler months. If you are unsure about how to proceed, these pet care tips will help you keep your furry friend’s outdoor home warm in winter.

Image via: Etsy

[ad#co-1]

Place the Dog House in a Sheltered Location  

Where you place your dog house can make a huge difference in how cold it gets inside. So, consider moving it to a wind-sheltered side of your house such as a covered patio or inside the basement or a garage. If outdoor is the only option, make sure that the doorway or the opening of the house is facing the west or the south, preferably the latter as the coldest wind generally comes from the northeast during winter.

Consider a Insulated Dog House

Image via: The Green Head

Ensure that all gaps and cracks in the dog house are blocked or covered.  It must have a door that will help to keep the warm air inside. Consider raising it off the ground by at least 4 inches on a wooden pallet foundation. Also, place a bedding material like a blanket or a pillow on the floor for your friend to sleep on. Alternatively, you can put a very thick layer of straw inside for him to snuggle into. However, be sure to change it every fortnightly so that it remains fluffy and holds heat.

Image via: Dogs United

Heat the Dog House

Products like wall-mounted pet heaters or electric floor heating pads can be used to heat the dog house. But make sure to enclose the electric cord in PVC conduit or tubing for safety. Do not use electric bedding or doghouse padding if your pet has a chewing habit. For such cases, opt for nonelectric alternatives such as microwaveable pads that emit heat for several hours.

Winter does not have to be an uncomfortable season for your outdoor dog. Use this pet care tips to winterize the dog house and keep your furry friend warm and cozy even during the coldest nights. However, keep in mind that during extreme cold weather, it’s always advised to bring your pet indoors.

For more pet ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Your pet’s area should never be an eyesore in your home interior. More often than not, this area is cluttered as a result of the activities done by your pet. But with the right organization, it should present opportunities to enhance your interior and make it look more attractive.

Your pet’s area should be considered as any other areas at home. It should occupy an exclusive space and contain the necessary items needed by your pet. Also, it should complement whenever season changes.

Image via: HGTV

[ad#co-1]

In warmer seasons, here are some great ideas on organizing your pet’s area:

Have a tote bag or basket for grooming items storage

It is a must to have storage for your pet’s grooming tools and essentials. A tote bag can handle these items perfectly for easy access and orderly style. This will save you more space and add convenience to your end. There is quite a number of stylish and interesting tote bag to match your preference.

Image via: This Old House

Keep food and water free from messes

The main purpose of this idea is to contain drips and other wastes from messing on the floor. Choose melamine or plastic material for your tray to ensure durability. It allows you to clean up the clutters quickly and easily. Feel free to match the colors of your tray to the bowls or dishes.

Image via: Shelterness

Consider jute bags as food storage.

Unlike your typical plastic containers, jute bags look elegant and attractive on display. This type of bag is heavy duty and can hold up to 30 pounds of load. The bags will definitely serve as decorative items when place on the shelves. It comes in different colors and styles.

Make your pet’s area a beautiful spot at home. This will bring comfort to your pet and your family as well. Then when it’s time to go outside and enjoy the warmer weather, you and your pet will be happier with these pet organization tips.

For more pet organization tips on Stagetecture, click here.

When I decided to start having Guest Blogs on Stagetecture in December of 2010, I didn’t exactly know how the turn out would be. I figured I would get a few every few weeks or so, but the recent feedback and requests to be a guest blogger has been overwhelming and great!

Over the last few months, I was asked by Demand Media to be a partnered Blogger that publishes many of Stagetecture’s posts on other sites.  How fortunate many of my Guest Blogger’s have been!

Here is a list of the wide exposure websites Stagetecture’s Guest Blogs have been featured:

Guest Blogger: Maintenance Tips to Prepare your Home for Fall – eHow

Guest Blogger: Creatively Disguising your Favorite Home Electronics – eHow

How to Create a Playful Art Room for your Kids – eHow

Making Your Kitchen Appliances Environmentally Friendly – eHow

[ad#co-1]

Guest Blogger: 10 Benefits of Green Roofing your Home – eHow

Guest Blogger: A Growing Family Needs a Growing House – eHow

Guest Blogger: This Summer’s Top Ten Bucket List for Kids – eHow

How to Design a Basic Recording Studio in Your Basement – eHow

 Guest Blogger: Quick & Easy Exterior House Painting Tips – eHow

Guest Blogger: How to Design a Music-Themed Kids’ Bedroom – eHow

Guest Blogger: How to Increase your Home Value by Adding a Loft – eHow

Guest Blogger: How to Make the Best Use of your Small Space – eHow

Delicious Easter Brunch Recipes for your Holiday Guests – Livestrong

Creating a Mudroom in the Smallest & Wettest Areas of your Home – eHow

Simple Ideas for Going Green in your Backyard – eHow

How to Tell if it’s Time to Replace your House Windows – eHow

How to Find if you Have Harmful Asbestos in your Home – eHow

Festive Thanksgiving Table Setting Ideas for Every Budget – eHow

How to Decorate & Personalize your Boring Home Office – eHow

No-Carve Pumpkin Ideas for Kids & Adults to Dress up you Halloween Decor – eHow

Image via

Halloween Safety Tips for Kids & Adults for Trick-or-Treating – Featured on eHow

Image via

How to Make your Home More Inviting to Guests – Featured on eHow UK

Image courtesy of via

How to Choose the Best Spot for your Dog House – The Daily Puppy

Image courtesy of via

How to Make your Bedroom Gorgeous on a Budget – Featured on eHow

How to Avoid Basement Floods with Proper Gutter Maintenance – Featured on eHow

Image courtesy of via

Garden Activities to Enjoy Before Summer’s End – Featured on eHow

Image courtesy of via

How to Choose a Creative Border for your Wallpaper – Featured on eHow

Image via

While all of Stagetecture Guest Blogs can’t be featured on other sites, it’s exciting to know that several have had exposure that goes past Stagetecture’s viewership. I thank all of my past, present, and future guests for making Stagetecture a home for sharing home inspiration everyday! Here’s to many more…

If you’re interested in being a Guest Blogger on Stagetecture, click here.

____________

There are plenty of things to consider when it comes to getting a dog house for your dog. You’ll need a house that’s the right size and is made of proper materials for your dog and for the climate you live in.

You’ll need to think about how warm or cool the dog house needs to be, and whether you intend for your dog to live in it full time or just part of the time when he happens to be outside and in need of some shelter. One of the other things, though, that many pet owners don’t consider before building or installing a dog house is exactly where to put it.

You do, however, need to put some thought into this question, as the location of your dog house is important. Here are some things to consider when choosing the best spot for your dog house:

Sun and shade

You shouldn’t ever put a dog house in a spot where it will get direct, strong sunlight for more than a couple of hours at a time. This is particularly true if you’re planning to have your dog use the dog house for extended periods of time during the day. Even in cooler climates and with proper ventilation, your dog house will heat up quickly in direct sunlight.

To figure out where the sun and shade are in your yard, take a Saturday afternoon when you’re home all day, and periodically go outside and see where the sunny and shady spots are. Chances are likely that you have at least a couple of spots that are shaded throughout most of the day, even if they get a bit of direct sun in the morning or evening. These are good spots for your dog house, as long as they meet the rest of the criteria.

Wind exposure

One of the main things to think about, as well, is exposure to the wind. Since your dog house is meant to be a shelter for your dog, you don’t want it to be battered by cold winds, especially in the fall and winter months. For this reason, it’s best to avoid putting a dog house on the north side of the house. Depending on where you live, you may also want to avoid putting a dog house on the east side of the house.

More specifically than this, though, pay attention to the way the dog house is facing when you put it up. The door should be facing away from the harshest winds in your area. Again, if you simply pay attention to the weather on a few windy, cold, or snowy days, you’ll be able to figure out where the wind is coming from most often, and you can protect your dog by facing the back of the dog house toward that exposure. If your climate is typically chilly or windy, you might even consider insulating the dog house against the harshest winter winds.

Soil drainage

Whether you’re giving your dog house a wooden or concrete floor or not, you certainly don’t want it sitting in an area of your yard that is likely to be full of standing water after a heavy rain. Again, you can figure out which spots get the best drainage by simply paying attention after a rainfall. Go out into your yard and walk around. If there are certain areas where water gathers, avoid those when deciding where to put up your dog house.

If your entire yard has problems with drainage, you might consider creating an elevated dog house – either by putting it on wheels or a taller platform or by bringing in some dirt to build up a bit of a hill around it. You can also improve soil drainage right around and underneath your doghouse by laying down some sand or gravel before you situate the dog house.

Aesthetic and practical concerns

After you’ve considered sun and wind exposure and soil drainage, it’s time to think about aesthetic and practical concerns for your dog house. Aesthetically, where would you prefer to put your dog house? You could situate it in the midst of a flower bed if you know your dog won’t dig up the flowers, or you might prefer it at the back of the yard. Remember, you can always make a dog house blend into the overall feel of your home and yard better by choosing a nice looking dog house that matches the color scheme of your own home.

On a practical level, it’s important to consider how you’ll use the dog house. Is it part of a fully-fenced back yard so that you can just let the dog out the back door, to use the dog house at his pleasure? If so, then you can put the dog house almost anywhere in the yard, since you won’t have to actually walk over to it to tie the dog up. Is it in an open area where you’ll have to take the dog out and chain him to the dog house on a long lead? If so, you might want to put the dog house a little closer to the house so that you can more easily clip and unclip your dog from the attached lead.

As a mom herself, Katheryne Taylor from the credit card applications website, CreditDonkey says, “Building a dog house that will really serve the needs of your family and your dog isn’t difficult, but it does take some thought.” Before you just plop your dog house down in your yard wherever you feel like it, take all these things into consideration so your pet will be more comfortable and your dog house will be more practical.

For more pet ideas on Stagetecture, click here.