How do you heat a doghouse?

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Originally posted by Twisterdog
I agree with Wolf Q. A hunting dog can certainly be a pet, also. Being a pet does not ruin a dog's instincts to hunt! Just ask my dogs, who sleep in our bed with us ... and hunt MUCH more than we would like them to!

Any dog that has a job to do - just like any human that has a job to do - does it better if they are happy.

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Your dogs may hunt when they see something or smell something close by. but to pick up a scent a couple miles away and then lead you to it by his barking is not the same as your dogs chaseing sometime. Alfie was trained to stay at teh tree or bush till they got there. Most dogs who "hunt" will get to the tree look up it and thne get bored. Its like a huskie. It will pull you if you tie it to a leash but if you shout out comands to it won't know them. You ahev to train them and sometimes teachign them other comands will mess up there train of thought. Also, most house dogs will bark at the tree then return to you who has not yet made it to the tree, he wants to be with you, not catch racoons. Your dogs hunting and Alfie's hunting are diffrent.

Ashley

PS: I would have to agree, a happy dog does do his job much better but to Alfie his happiness was his job. So doing his job he was happy.

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PS: I don't know alot about Alfie cause it was touchy subject being linked to her brother. It was hard for my mom to talk about it but she got offended when you said she treated him like property. I told her thats not what you ment but she is like yes it is you tell her this LOL. My mother loved that dog, you could see it in her eyes when she talked about him. She will even tell you "He was a great dog, none better, nor will there ever be"[/

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Sorry, that's not what I meant at all. When I posted that the only thing you had said about Alfie was that he had to live outside because he was a "hunting dog." When I said the dogs were treated as property, I was referring to Bear and Trusty, not Alfie.

It sounds like Alfie was really a very much loved dog. I enjoyed your stories about him. :) I'm really sorry if I offended your mom.

It kind of annoys me when people assume that if a dog lives outside the dog isn't loved. Some people, like Melissa with Lady, don't have a choice of where their dog is kept. She loves her dog as much as I love my dogs. :) She gets plenty of treats, toys, and is taken everywhere that I take my dogs. She even paid to have her groomed at Petco last friday. (I had fun playing with her too, hehe, but she didn't much enjoy the bath!)

Well I only said he lived outside because someone said they don't understand why a dog would kept dogs outside so I was just saying this is one reson then you all jumped on me for sayin it. ;) :p . I tried to convince my mom you didn't mean to offend her but you know siblings you have to defend them to the end and I would defend my brother Teddy till the end.

Ash

It kind of annoys me when people assume that if a dog lives outside the dog isn't loved. Some people, like Melissa with Lady, don't have a choice of where their dog is kept. She loves her dog as much as I love my dogs. :) She gets plenty of treats, toys, and is taken everywhere that I take my dogs. She even paid to have her groomed at Petco last friday. (I had fun playing with her too, hehe, but she didn't much enjoy the bath!) [/B][/QUOTE]

I would haev to agree with what people assume about outside dogs i know plenty of outside dogs that are just as loved as my chewy or teddy soudns liek your firend loves her dog does any dog enjoy a bath? i bet bathing nebo is a lot of fun!! btw i bet nebo is glad to have the cone off of his head!! lol

Ashley

WELCOME TO PET TALK!! I see you live up in the U.P. :D I know how cold it gets up there. My family went to Mackinac City in April and we could walk out onto Lake Michigan. (not recommended, but I was young and foolish. ;) :D )

Sorry I don't have any suggestions, but it looks like you've got some great ones from others here. :)

Love to see pics of your fur kids. :)

sorry that I have no advice, I have never owned an outside dog. best of luck to you though! :)

If you build a doghouse yourself, it should be just the right size and insulated. Most of the commercial dog houses are easier to keep clean and last forever. They are lighter weight and well insulated. Be sure the door doesn't face the wind.

I wouldn't use a light bulb to heat a doghouse. I've heard a couple of horror stories.

They make a plate-shaped warmer that you can heat in the microwave. It's called a Snuggle Safe Microdisc. It costs $19.99 at Drsfostersmith.com. After you heat them for about 5 minutes, they will stay warm for up to 12 hours.

I used one in a heavy box on my porch for my stray cats last winter. Worked well and safely.

Mary

My dad's best friend has three redbone coonhounds and three labradors (yellow, black, & chocolate). He bulit two big huge kennels for them, and built two big dog houses for them. He used a heating lamp, like the ones used for baby chickens/ducks. I sat in it once just for the heck of it, and it was really really warm. Not baking the dogs to death, but really nice compared to the 20 degree winter air outside the dog house. So the dogs wouldn't chew on the wire- he cable tied thick chicken wire around the chord. They never touched it anyhow. I think that is a really neat idea.