Insulated Dog house ideas

[Kainedogg]

My wife wants to kick my beloved Malamute out the house and off the porch because of the excessive shedding and gas

Well I can't/won't put him outside without an alternative so that means I have to come up with something close to the house.

If anyone has built an insulated dog house I would love to see it or hear ideas for one. I have extra insulation from an attic project as well as drywall begging to be used. Not to mention a brand new window a/c that I would love to put to use in 64 sqft room, large enough for 2 dogs.

 

[MScott]

I built one a number of years ago for a hunting dog that I had. Certainly not as large as you are suggesting and no air. I sized it so the dog could stretch out but small enough that his body heat kept it warm in the winter.
Essentially I built it the same as you would a house. Insulated floor with PT 2x4 joists, walls also of 2x4's with plywood inside and out and out. A sloped and insulated roof with shingles. For a door, I used a piece of canvas and a piece of carpet on the floor which was changed regularly. It was warm in winter and cool in summer and he seemed very comfortable. I would think that in Florida, the main requirement would be shade and a constant supply of water.

 

[Scott r c]

I built one with 2x4 walls on their side, so it was 1.5" thick. I used 1/4" plywood on both sides and filled the cavities with sheets of foam. It has a removable roof. I think it was called an "Alaskan dog house". I got the plans for free online.

 

[Kainedogg]

I built one a number of years ago for a hunting dog that I had. Certainly not as large as you are suggesting and no air. I sized it so the dog could stretch out but small enough that his body heat kept it warm in the winter.
Essentially I built it the same as you would a house. Insulated floor with PT 2x4 joists, walls also of 2x4's with plywood inside and out and out. A sloped and insulated roof with shingles. For a door, I used a piece of canvas and a piece of carpet on the floor which was changed regularly. It was warm in winter and cool in summer and he seemed very comfortable. I would think that in Florida, the main requirement would be shade and a constant supply of water.

That would be correct for a German Shepard or some other short haired dog. This is an Alaskan Malamute and he has no interest in just shade as far as keeping his internal temperature down. Florida summers are brutal, and a conditioned living space is unavoidable.

I built one with 2x4 walls on their side, so it was 1.5" thick. I used 1/4" plywood on both sides and filled the cavities with sheets of foam. It has a removable roof. I think it was called an "Alaskan dog house". I got the plans for free online.

Do you have that URL friend?

 

[ADSR]

I'd kick the wife out before the dog.

 

[groupcracer]

I'd kick the wife out before the dog.

+1

 

[ND80]

Just build yourself a nice 2 to 3 car detached garage and call it the dog house.

 

[coljar]

I'd kick the wife out before the dog.

Just build yourself a nice 2 to 3 car detached garage and call it the dog house.

This or this or both.

 

[Scott r c]

kipmick.50webs.com/doghouse

 

[Kainedogg]

I know a lot of you are comfortable with the whole ********** thing, but I'm not ready to make that big plunge just yet. Wife has to stay for now...lol.

Thanks Scott.

 

[ADSR]

I know a lot of you are comfortable with the whole ********** thing, but I'm not ready to make that big plunge just yet. Wife has to stay for now...lol.

Thanks Scott.

Scott, We need pictures of wife and the dog. That will help this thread.

 

[bczygan]

My wife wants to kick my beloved Malamute out the house and off the porch because of the excessive shedding and gas

Well I can't/won't put him outside without an alternative so that means I have to come up with something close to the house.

If anyone has built an insulated dog house I would love to see it or hear ideas for one. I have extra insulation from an attic project as well as drywall begging to be used. Not to mention a brand new window a/c that I would love to put to use in 64 sqft room, large enough for 2 dogs.

First check your zoning regulations for your zoning.

This will be an accessory building. You might also consider a room attached to the residence.

Zoning regs will tell you what you can build and where, and whether it will require a permit. Think about whether it will be a temporary or permanent structure for tax purposes.

Think of what hurricane resistant requirements and details there will be.

Build it like any other shed, but insulate it well. Think of ways to avoid radiant heat gain. Us light and reflective exterior cladding and roofing materials.

Make it big enough for you to enter and maintain the interior.

Think about ways to keep it easy to clean and disinfect.

Provide overhangs to shade it from tropical sun and protect it from tropical rainstorms which come through almost daily.

Provide a covered deck area where the dogs can lounge outside.

Consider screening for bug control.

Think of ways to allow light in without too much heat gain.

Consider methods for providing food and water, comfortable sleeping areas and an easily maintained place for dogs to pee and poop.

Connect it to an outdoor run, or fenced area of the yard.

Dogs are pack animals. You and the family are part of the pack.

Make these accommodations such, that you will all spend as much time with the dogs as possible there.

Bill (2 Irish Setters, 5 cats and 2 birds)

 

[mikester]

Funny story. My old neighbor built a doghouse for his mixed breed because his wife didn't want the dog in the house. He used regular shingles on the roof, plywood sides with wood shingles. Made the entrance so there was protection from the wind. Pretty sure he insulated it too. It took the guy a few days to finish the thing. The dog dug a hole underneath it and slept under it instead of in it. Every time I would see the dog peeking out from under the house I would laugh my *** off.

 

[stikman56]

Look at the tiny shelters they're now building for the homeless, they have some kind of board styrofoam insulation looking stuff inside them. That would be fine I would think.

 

[justanengineer]

How about banishment to an air-conditioned garage? Your pup could keep cool, be nearby, and discourage thieves.

 

[dogdog]

installation wise.... you can try spray glue (head liner glue) and those space blankets ( aka emergency blankets ) they sell from targets to line all 6 insides. I did that for a stray cat that stops by... he seems to like it. of cause the glue is dried and aired out before letting the pet stay in there. and pad it with those memory foams, they sell in pet smart or costco .... good for spring summer and fall... not so much for winter ....

 

[Kainedogg]

First check your zoning regulations for your zoning.

This will be an accessory building. You might also consider a room attached to the residence.

Zoning regs will tell you what you can build and where, and whether it will require a permit. Think about whether it will be a temporary or permanent structure for tax purposes.

Think of what hurricane resistant requirements and details there will be.

Build it like any other shed, but insulate it well. Think of ways to avoid radiant heat gain. Us light and reflective exterior cladding and roofing materials.

Make it big enough for you to enter and maintain the interior.

Think about ways to keep it easy to clean and disinfect.

Provide overhangs to shade it from tropical sun and protect it from tropical rainstorms which come through almost daily.

Provide a covered deck area where the dogs can lounge outside.

Consider screening for bug control.

Think of ways to allow light in without too much heat gain.

Consider methods for providing food and water, comfortable sleeping areas and an easily maintained place for dogs to pee and poop.

Connect it to an outdoor run, or fenced area of the yard.

Dogs are pack animals. You and the family are part of the pack.

Make these accommodations such, that you will all spend as much time with the dogs as possible there.

Bill (2 Irish Setters, 5 cats and 2 birds)

Thanks Bill. A lot of good information here. Malamutes are definitely pack animals and the structure will certainly be right by the house. I just need something to keep him cool while I am at work. Once I get home, I own 5 acres and he is free to run amok.

Look at the tiny shelters they're now building for the homeless, they have some kind of board styrofoam insulation looking stuff inside them. That would be fine I would think.

That is interesting. My goal is to keep it simple. I just thought as industrious as most were here, that someone had already built one for just that purpose.

How about banishment to an air-conditioned garage? Your pup could keep cool, be nearby, and discourage thieves.

He would demolish that garage faster than you would imagine. He needs enough space to move around and be comfortable, not roam around and be destructive.

installation wise.... you can try spray glue (head liner glue) and those space blankets ( aka emergency blankets ) they sell from targets to line all 6 insides. I did that for a stray cat that stops by... he seems to like it. of cause the glue is dried and aired out before letting the pet stay in there. and pad it with those memory foams, they sell in pet smart or costco .... good for spring summer and fall... not so much for winter ....

I will look into that as I research constructs that I like.

 

[bazzateer]

Timber shed, insulate and drywall (using your left-overs). Fit AC in side.

 

[bczygan]

Another thing, is to consider whether adding electric will make it a permanent structure. You might want to run that as an extension cord.

As an alternate to a large space, consider a very small one. Dogs are comfortable, and feel safe in spaces not too much bigger than that required for laying down. The space needs to be tall enough for them to comfortably stand as well.

I built one such space for one of our Irish Setters. You also need to decide if the space will be sized for both dogs, or each will have a separate space. It was also small for our northern climate, to act as a place that their body heat, and heat from a pad, could be adequate for winter use. But we haven't used it for that.

The structure is made from a 2x4 floor frame and a 2x4 on the flat wall structure. This gives a wall thickness of 1 1/2", just right for rigid foam. I made it with a flat, removable roof, which is framed with 2x2's and also insulated. It is configured with an entry dog door and passageway that turns at the end for access to the sleeping space. This acts as a vestibule to block wind and keep the sleeping chamber warmer.

For a small space in a hot climate, it may be difficult to regulate the temperature properly, so your larger space with a window AC, may be a better option. I might consider building a room that is a combination of air conditioned dog shelter and storage room, to use up some of the excess height that isn't needed for the dogs themselves. In other words, build a regular height shed, 8x8 and install cabinets and shelving all around the perimeter, from counter height up to the ceiling. That way it is multiple uses and has better resale.


And after all your work, the dog may just sleep on the ground next to it, or under the truck.

I'll get you photos and measurements later.