How to properly set up a dog house in winter

Construction

Unlike smaller breeds, guard dogs typically live outdoors—in a crate or on a chain, though sometimes they have free range. However, in winter, if the kennel isn't insulated, the animal can freeze and become ill. Therefore, owners should think ahead about making the kennel more comfortable. Insulating a doghouse using ready-made instructions and helpful tips is easy. The key is to have the right tools and materials.

Why insulate?

Dogs have a fairly warm undercoat, which can keep them warm in freezing temperatures. While they can survive the winter, they can still become ill if they can't find a good shelter. If the doghouse isn't insulated, the guard dog will freeze. It's also important to remember that not all breeds can tolerate subzero temperatures. For example, hunting dogs can even sleep in the snow, thanks to their very thick fur.

But even dogs of the same breed don't always tolerate cold equally well—much depends on the conditions in which they're kept. If an animal was raised in a warm house or apartment and only later adopted as a guard dog, it will have a hard time with the cold. If a puppy was initially kept in "hothouse conditions," it will become ill outside in winter and may not survive until spring.

Attention!

When moving your pet outdoors to a kennel, the undercoat will grow back, and over time, the dog will tolerate cold better. However, until then, it's important to provide it with good living conditions, such as an insulated kennel. It's also important to keep in mind that smaller dogs feel colder than larger ones.

Basic rules

Dogs adapt quickly to changing conditions, so apartment-dwelling dogs lack an undercoat—they don't need it. When such dogs are let outside in the winter, they become very cold. The primary cause of this cold is the wind blowing through their fur. Another factor that can cause a dog to become very cold is high humidity or precipitation, which can cause the undercoat to become wet and, instead of providing warmth, to become cold. Taking these factors into account, the following are the top priorities when insulating a dog house:

The booth must not be blown by the wind; there should be no drafts in it.
The inside of the dog's "house" must be dry and no precipitation should get into it.
The entrance must be protected from the wind or the booth must be placed so that it is not on the leeward side.
It is advisable that the kennel be placed on supports rather than on the ground - this will prevent the structure from becoming flooded or soaked (if it is wooden).
The bedding should either not get wet, or it should be checked regularly, replacing it with new one when the old one becomes damp.
It is recommended to place the booth in the shade so that it does not heat up too much on hot and sunny days.
The kennel floor must have a thermal break—a layer of insulation over 1 cm thick is placed between the foundation and the flooring. It is also recommended to add some insulation to the walls and roof.

It's advisable to take into account the temperature inside the kennel during the winter. If the kennel is wooden, the air inside will be only 3-4˚ C warmer than outside air. This temperature is due to the lack of a door. Therefore, it's recommended to hang some kind of "curtain" made of a thick material—flexible rubber, felt, etc.—on the kennel. However, even this isn't enough to keep the dog warm.

How to insulate

All responsible dog owners insulate their doghouses, but it's impossible to say for sure whether their pet is cold in them during the winter. To ensure your furry guard dog has comfortable living conditions and stays warm and healthy during the winter, you need to choose good insulation materials for the doghouse. Various materials can be used, but the following insulation materials are best suited for kennels:

Foam plastic is good for insulating the roof and ceiling, but not inside the booth.
Extruded polystyrene foam – suitable for thermal insulation of the base.
Felt is a natural material, safe for dogs, suitable for internal insulation.

Attention!

When using felt as insulation, it's recommended to use nails or other fasteners with wide heads. This will secure the material well and prevent it from coming loose after a year or two.

Mineral wool should not be used as insulation because it is hazardous to the dog's health. It emits formaldehyde, and the fibers can injure the dog. Spray foam should not be used because it quickly becomes damp and deteriorates. Plywood should also not be attached inside the kennel, as it emits toxic substances that are harmful to the dog's health. Therefore, it should only be installed on the outside, over a layer of vapor barrier.

Heating the kennel

Even the most modern insulating materials cannot provide additional warmth to an animal; they can only limit its exit from the interior. A curtain and vestibule near the entrance will protect against wind, rain, and snow, but will not completely insulate the space. As an additional measure to retain heat in the kennel, a heater can be used. The main types of heaters that can be installed in a kennel are:

panel;
film;
heated floor;
convector.

Floor insulation

Standards and rules for insulating a kennel, regardless of the material, are general. It's important to install the insulation so that the animal has no access to it, both inside and outside the kennel. The only exception is materials with specific installation guidelines. However, before addressing the main part, it's important for owners to focus on the flooring—sealing any cracks and choosing a good bedding option. For example, wood shavings can be used. Basic recommendations for preparing this material:

Wood shavings should be chosen in large fractions - sawdust is dangerous for the animal, as it can get into the eyes, nose and ears.
The best wood for this purpose is coniferous, it repels most pests.
Treatment against ticks and replacement at least once a month are required.
If you cover the shavings with material, you need to choose a durable fabric and fix it inside the kennel.

Attention!

Before use, be sure to sift the shavings to ensure there are no small particles remaining. If sawdust comes into contact with mucous membranes, it can cause inflammation.

Insulate a dog house – the task is not difficult. Suitable materials are relatively inexpensive and not in great supply. However, when choosing insulation, carefully inspect it for safety for your pet, so as not to harm its health while protecting it from the cold. Supplemental heating is also possible, but in severe frosts, it's better to simply bring your dog indoors.