I would love to chain owners like that to trees, see how they like it.

 

CHAINED....oh god. Whats wrong with people from Colorado?

 

Personally I think a chain is more humane than those stupid chain link kennels people buy. 9 times out of 10 people always buy them to small to let the dog run anyway.

I do prefer runners over anchored chains.
I had a husky that could not stand to be indoors. We tried when we first got him and he did not like it, thru a crying fit the whole time. Then the last winter that he was alive his arthritis got so bad that he could barely move, we brouht him inside and he'd sit at the door and cry, then look at the door. He would not sleep in his dog house ever in his life, the dog just hated walls. Wireless fences could not generate enough current to penetrate his fur. So I let him run loose for a while til he started killing the neigbors chickens. So then I ran 200' of aircraft cable between his favorite tree and another tree, then put a trolley on the cable, then a lead off the trolley, then a swivel on the lead. Cost less than $30 and he was happy to lay in his favorite spot and run when he felt like it. Luckily he could still come up to the door and play with us when we were outside.

 

I hate to say it, but my shepard is on a 30 ft cable leash when we're not outside. She has a digging problem (ie. under the fence) and gets out. She wouldn't harm a flea, but at 85 lbs, she is intimidating. I've tried dog wires to no avail, her fur is too thick. I tried one for cattle, no go either. I even threw a couple of pieces of bacon across it, let it zap her when she ate it, and it still doesn't deter her. She's as stubborn as my damn kids. I think they secretly hive her lessons in how to **** me off... But anyway, sometimes it is an evil neccessity, and she has a doghouse and a constant supply of water, so she makes do...

 

As far as dog houses,
I have done it one of two ways.

First there is a whiskey barrel plant here, I can buy an unsued wooden stave barrel for $30. Cut the top 3/4 out of one end, Leave the bottom to hold bedding, cut 2 pieces of 4x12 that I get from a local sawmill, cut them to match the curve of thd barrel and attach to the barrel, then fill with bedding of choice.

Second is a basic rectanglular box, with a devider wall. Opening in the devider wall is in the back to create a wind block. Bedding behind wall then put hinges on the roof for easy cleaning.

 

Top is a stave barrel, bottom is a 2 room with hinged roof.

 

Make sure the dog house is large enough to house you. Based on what you wrote above, and some of your recent posts it sounds like your new GF owns your ***, so it will only be a matter of time before you are sleeping in said dog house.

 

OUCH....From the top rope....

 

I agree with the folks who say make the doghouse fit the dog. Straw is good bedding, cheap and very good insulator. My folks live in north Idaho and we had various outside dogs while I was growing up. The straw in the doghouse always kept them toasty warm in the freezing winters. Cedar chips added to the straw will help cut down on fleas in the summer if they are a problem in your area.

I just have to make a comment about chaining and/or putting your dog on a run. A lot of people think chaining a dog is cruel but if it is done humanely there is nothing cruel about it. It's a lot safer for the dog than to have it running loose where it could be hit by a car or shot by an angry neighbor. We've owned dogs that had to be tied because we either had no fence or there wasn't a place to build a fence. The dogs were never just tied and forgotten, our dogs are always a part of our family so they are included in all outdoor activities. None of them suffered for being tied. Casey is fortunate, while we have no fence here, we also have no close neighbors and she likes to be where I am. So, when I'm outside she is out with me, running loose but I keep close tabs on her and she's very good about staying close to the house.

 

I have no chains, runners, doghouses for my doggy he has been TRAINED to stay near the house and never wander away. Granted i live far from a city and he has tons room to run near the house. He also has full use of the house as long as he does not go on the living room rug, any furniture, beds. I trained him to stay off the rug (white) and the leather furniture, bed (Never). He has his own bed under the stairs and a bed upstairs. I let him out he can go swimming in the pond and do his duty on the hill in the woods never on the grass (and he does just that). With some Patience and time he has learned brilliantly. Oh and he is a CBR very smart dogs and he was a rescue from the pound with all his papers...

 

The picture of the dog house with the couble rooms is a very effective design at keeping warmth in and wind out. Plus, with the hinged roof you be able to clean it well.

I knew this guy who had a VERY spoiled great dain (minihorse). I am not joking in what I am about to say. He literally spent 5 thousand dollars building an exact replica of his house for the dog. This thing had light timers, heaters, and the whole nine yards. One night the heater sparked and smoked the dog house up. It didn't set it on fire just a wire burned. The dog never sat foot near it again. Actually, wouldn't even get close to it. It was the funniest darn thing I ever saw.

 

My dogs have always stayed indoors. I never bought a dog house because they always are allowed in.

I had a Husky and that dog would flat out refuse to come in the house during the winter. She loved being outside. I left one of those round lawn chairs out back for her to lay on.

She loved it and certainly had the coat for it. I use to get up and check on her but she never once wanted to come in.

 

A suggestion or two...

 

She's already threatened.....

 

My wife and I cannot own a dog because of our vastly different philosophys regarding where a pet should and should not be!

I grew up in Minnesota, had numerous dogs over the years (Golden Retrievers) and they were almost NEVER allowed inside the house! We kept them in the garage on winter nights, and on very rare occasions would let them into the basement when the old man and I were down there playing pool or something. They loved being outside, would lay in the snow all day as if it wasn't there, and when we did bring them inside, they were usually panting and ready to go back outside after a half hour or so!

My wife grew up in Albuquerque and their dogs ruled the GD house! It was almost as if people were allowed into the home at the sole discretion of the animals! Their hounds were the most annoying, high-maintenance PIA's you could ever imagine -- undoubtedly because of the way they were raised!

She thinks I'm cruel because I treat an animal like an animal. I think she's cruel because she treats an animal like a human. It just would never work between us.....