New Page 1

Simple Dog Houses

These blue plastic barrels are actually two barrels, a smaller one inside the blue one. I set up the blue barrel and set the smaller one inside to check for fit. I space up the inner barrel with small wood blocks so the black lid of the blue barrel will just go on and lock on with the metal band. I remove the inner barrel and use the canned foam and put about 6" in the bottom of the blue barrel on top of my spacer blocks. Gently lower the inner barrel to set on the spacers and let it cure for several hours. There should be about 2" of space between the barrel sides. I cut a long piece of 3 1/2" thick fiberglass insulation and wedge it between the barrel sides. It will take two long pieces of insulation. This should bring it up to within 2" to 4" of the top of the outer blue barrel. I fill this opening with more spray foam and let it cure out. Cut an entry hole in the lid and place it on the blue barrel. You now have a double walled insulated dog house. I'll explain the white "porch" below.

The white barrels are excellent for summer months and year-round in warmer climates. I cut them as shown and then cut a piece of plywood to fit the opening and secure it with self tapping screws and silicone chalking. An entry door is cut in the plywood. You now have a beagle dog house with a rain guard! The left over pieces of white barrels were screwed onto the double walled blue houses for a rain/wind guard. Be sure to use short screws so you do not penetrate the inner barrel. Use barrels that are cleaned good and do not use barrels that have had toxic chemicals in them. The best barrels are ones that might have had nothing more than cooking oils in them. If you try these, let me know. Please sign my guest book!

Lick-type Dog Waterers

I've had trouble in the past with some dogs turning over the water pans after they drink. This is very frustrating on a hot summer day. I came up with this water system that solved the problem. As you can see, I cut a length of heavy walled 6" PVC pipe, glued an end cap on it, drilled and tapped a hole to screw in a lick type nipple waterer. I found the nipples at the local farm supply store and removed the inside screen to allow more water flow. The tube is mounted on the outside of the kennel with the nipple sticking in to the dog and the tube is help in place with a bungee cord. I think any dog can be taught to use this. Remove all other water pans. Usually the second day the dog is really thirsty and show him the nipple and flex the stem to allow some water to dribble out. Let the dog lick water off your fingers and keep flipping the stem to let water drip out to the dog. Try this again in an hour, then later if needed. The dog will catch on and freely lick the stem to drink. I can flush the tube with a hose from the outside of the kennel and add fresh water daily. A two foot section of tube will hold about 2 1/2 gallons of water.

I also use 6 quart water buckets and hang them on the kennel fencing with "S" hooks thru the bucket bail. This gets the buckets up off the ground and helps keep males from urinating in them. Hang them about face high on the dogs. Small pups will put both front feet on the bucket edge to drink.

Frozen Water Pans

In freezing weather, I don't use the buckets for water, but set a rubber pan in the bucket top and the bucket becomes just a holder. I buy the rubber pans at the farm store for about $4 each. Ice will not stick to them. When froze, just turn them over and twist. The ice chunk flips out. These black rubber pans hold about three quarts and are about 3" high.

Chain Collar

I've had trouble when two dogs are kenneled together that one dog will sometimes chew on the collar of the other. And it doesn't matter if the collars are leather or tough nylon. I always want a nametag on my dogs just in case one gets away. I've solved the chewed collar problem. I make collars from chain. One inch welded link chain, a nametag, "S" link, and a removable quick coupler. You can make the collar any length you want to fit. Most of mine are 11" to 13" and adjustable by where you fasten the quick link.

Fly Control

Summertime flies can be hard on dogs. Around kennels and doghouses, some control measures are often called for, no matter how clean we try to keep the place. As a licensed pest control operator, I've found the best product for fly control. It is called Maxforce Fly Bait. It is a pink extruded hard bait that I place in shallow pans and set them out of reach of all animals. I've watched as flies land on the bait and start to feed and then are dead within a couple minutes. It works great on interior window sills, and can be dissolved in water and painted on wood surfaces as needed. I like to put a few teaspoonfuls in a clean 1/2 gallon milk jug, cut big holes in the jug, then hang them up. When they get too dirty, toss them out and get a clean jug. A 5 pound bucket should last three or more years.