Which niche for my dog: at home or on vacation?
The dog house: here is a vast subject! Outdoor kennel, indoor kennel, plastic kennel, wooden kennel, travel kennel, decorated kennel, kennel with roof to climb on and play curious... There are hundreds of kennel models for your dog.
I never told you about the subject because Musher has no niche. My dog sleeps and lives in my house and therefore has 3 baskets spread around the house; which takes up a lot of space I admit…. But she has her sleeping basket in the guest room where she isolates herself when she feels the need, a basket in the living room to take advantage of our presence and a last basket in the entrance to wait for us comfortably!
Many of you have asked me questions about kennels so I worked for you and I compiled Wouafer's feedback to give you lots of information and good advice on dog kennels. Niche for the garden, decorative niche for your home or transport niche, I tell you everything in this new article from Mag'. Starting with the question we all ask ourselves: how do I choose the right kennel for my dog?
The dog house: your dog's house
To choose the right doghouse, you have to ask yourself what it will be used for. Your selection criteria will certainly not be the same if the kennel is rather "decorative" inside your house, if it is used to shelter your dog who lives outside even in winter, if it is a kennel that he uses as a shelter when he is free in your garden during the day or even if it is a niche that you will use during your travels or holidays with your dog.
First, know that your dog's kennel is like his private home. It's his private space, his corner just for him, his home, his retreat zone if something frightens him or bothers him... and it's his room where he will go to isolate himself for a good nap, chew his toys to relax or from where he will observe everything that happens in his territory. It is therefore essential to choose the right doghouse for your dog. For More information on dog kennels, I advise you to read the rest of this article.
Once the right niche has been found, it will be necessary to find the right location for it. This is also essential for your dog to feel at home and adopt his niche.
If your dog lives outside and sleeps outside, the location of the kennel is strategic because it will serve him to face the bad weather. You don't have to put it anywhere! In the cold season, put it in a sunny place so that the niche warms up and the weather is pleasant. Prefer to raise it to prevent the humidity of the ground from penetrating the niche and cooling it. If possible, place it under a yard so it is frost-free and against a wall in your home to reduce the effects of nighttime frosts if your dog cannot sleep inside the house. Add a flexible plastic curtain at the entrance to the doghouse to increase the insulation and prevent the wind from blowing in. And of course, fill the bottom with a thick cushion so that he can curl up in a warm ball. In summer, move it around and put it in the shade. Don't make any more changes, your dog won't appreciate it if his house changes neighborhoods too often. Our doggies are animals who love routine and habits.
Even if your dog lives indoors with you, he will appreciate having an outdoor doghouse in your yard. During these moments of freedom, it will serve as a zone of refuge.
Be careful, your dog's kennel is YOUR DOG'S. Except to clean it, do not touch it. Don't let children go near it and especially don't let them go inside. Your dog might have an aggressive reaction. This is HIS territory!
Where to buy a doghouse? In a classic pet store or in an online pet store like on www.niche-a-chien.com, the niche specialist! You will find many models and additional advice to help you choose your pet's future home.
The right kennel for your dog
There are 3 main materials for doghouses: wood, plastic or fabric. For outdoor use, the wooden doghouse is the most sturdy and durable but often a bit more expensive. It is also the prettiest models. It requires a little maintenance because you will have to sand it and repaint it regularly, just like your shutters or other exterior woodwork... There are many models: the simple doghouse with a sloping roof, the doghouse with a terrace, the doghouse with a roof terrace. , the double kennel for two dogs… and there are many models of indoor wooden kennels that are great. It's half furniture, half niche and some niches are really splendid. My labrador would surely be delighted to have one of these models… it would surely be much prettier than her old basket even if she looooves it!
The plastic doghouse is inexpensive, lighter and easier to maintain. It has real advantages but the insulating properties of plastic are almost nil so if doggie sleeps outside, opt for wood.
As for the fabric niche, it will only be used for the interior. It is a perfect doghouse for holidays with your dog. You will be able to offer him a space just for him in your vacation rental, your gîte, your mobile home or your hotel room. It is an ideal solution to offer him a corner of his own wherever you are. Your dog will love it, that's for sure. Me, I opted for a niche that looks like a 2-second tent from the famous sports brand that you are bound to know. I “throw” the niche and presto, it unfolds by itself. And Musher then has a space all to herself. It's super convenient. And the niche, when folded, fits in a backpack. I take it everywhere on vacation.
The indoor doghouse can also be a good tool for dogs that suffer from separation anxiety. It will then be a reassuring cocoon for animals that do not support the absence of their master. He will no longer be confronted with the empty space of the whole house but will be sheltered in his reduced space.
Now that we've talked about the material of the niche, let's talk about its size. Again, this is a very important criterion, especially if your dog lives there all year round and sleeps there in summer and winter. Choosing a mega large doghouse so that it is a large space all to itself is a mistake! He must have a doghouse his size. In winter, it would be too difficult for him to warm this large space with his body heat alone. He must be able to enter it easily, lie down fully and turn around easily. He won't receive his friends there, he won't organize a poker evening or a football evening there… so opt for a doghouse exactly for his size.
Whatever kennel you choose, remember to clean it regularly and check that your dog is always safe there. No leaks, no dampness, no broken things… also regularly wash your dog's cushion or mat. Especially in its outdoor niche, it can quickly get wet and smell very bad.
Finally, if you had to remember only one essential point to choose the right outdoor kennel for your dog, it's insulation!!! It's not how it looks that counts, it's how well it keeps your dog warm, dry and sheltered whatever the weather outside.
I hope I have helped you find the right doghouse for your four-legged best friend! See you soon Wouafer's.