Conference 7.286::home_work

    Try CANINE::CANINE
    

    I went to my local library and they had about five books with plans
    in them. They had all the equations for determining what size to
    build for your dog.
    
    Tim
    

    I've moved this discussion to CANINE::CANINE, note 1377, and included
    some responses that came in by mail.
    
    thanks,
    wa

Ok, I guess this note is of questionable topic for this file, but I 
need creative ideas and home_workers are so good at this.

I'm building an enclosure for our soon-to-be puppy.  I envision it 
being made of 6 panels, one on each end and two on each side.  They 
will be fasten-able to each other so it may be disassembled into the 6 
pieces and relocated.  (This is for inside, outside only if we are with 
it).

We haven't thought of how to hook them together for assembly yet, 
ideas?  We were thinking of hinging the two panels for each side, so 
they would still fold down, but that still leaves us with four seperate 
pieces which must be fastened.

We envision each panel to be a frame of wood, with some type of wire 
caging stapled to it.

Haven't sized it yet, but around 3'x4' ?

Now the big question, what do we make the bottom out of?   Requirements:

	one piece
	non-absorbant
	washable

I can't think of where to find one piece of plastic, rubber, or metal 
that large.   A piece of scrap linoleum or vinyl flooring is one 
alternative.  Others?

All help appreciated.

Thanks

    >  	one piece
    >	non-absorbant
    >	washable
      The thing that comes to mind is a tarp that you can buy from any
    sporting goods store.  It folds up neatly, and will wash off with
    a sponge (or a hose).
    
    To connect the panels together, you may want to try a piano type
    hinge and to disconnect, pull the center pin.  They will store very
    nicely and be very sturdy when connected.
    
    Patrick

    You might want to ask in CVG::Canine.  You might also want to consider
    using a collapsable dog crate which is made for this purpose...could
    save you some work.
    Ric

You might want to try something similar to the panels I constructed
for varous uses, rose mulching for thw winter, animal barriers in the
garden, etc.

Build 6 identical panels, frame and screen, with 2 screw eyes on each
edge, slightly staggered so they will nest. 1/4" min on the eye.

Using a 3/16 alum rod for hinge pin, connect panels together thru the
screw eyes. You aren't limited to a rectangular shape or the use of all
the panels. Remove a pin and you've got a door.

Bob

   At one point in time I used an old half 'D' box from Shipping/Receiving.
It has a nice floor and the cardboard sides can be removed or cut as you wish.
(I cut into a 1/3 and 2/3 length pieces so when the puppies (a whole litter)
were real little the sides were low and when they started over the top I put
in the higher sides.  For the bottom 2 things jump to mind - a piece of 
plexiglas or a piece of sheet aluminum (the Aluminum is about $14).  If you
cover this with papers it'll work fine.

Al

    
    
    	I didn't see any keywords having to do with dog houses so here
    goes:
    		We have a new puppy that will soon be about 100#. He
    	has gained about 15# in the last 3 weeks!  We want to build a
    	dog house and I'm sure it's been done by most people in this
    	conference.  does anyone have a favorite set of plans or just
    	some advice?  We live in a cold climate (maine) and would leave
    	the dog out on nice days because we both work.  but nice days
    	can alos be cold days!  Any comments, advise, plans, etc
    	would be appreciated.
    
    	Gordon Ripley - ASO

    Our dog is about the same size (115 lbs) and she's outside most of the
    day in the winter (NH).  I insulated her house with styrofoam panels, and
    they've held up pretty well over the last 4+ years.  I think the key
    however is to have a flap of some sorts over the doorway to cut down
    on the wind.  I use a burlap bag with a piece of scrap carpet inside
    the bag, and it seems to work pretty well.  During the winter I put her
    water dish inside the house, and it's rare that the water freezes.  (Of
    course this is because my dog likes her house! 8-)  I've seen times when
    dogs won't go near their house, so biody heat doesn't get you much.)
    
    -Mark
    

    See keyword PLANS and look at note 61, "In The Dog House"

                   <<< Note 3417.0 by DNEAST::RIPLEY_GORDO >>>

    	We have a new puppy that will soon be about 100#. He
    	has gained about 15# in the last 3 weeks!  
        
>>>>Gordon, you sure you neighbors don't call those kind of animals 
    "MOOSE" when they get full grown? 

    	does anyone have a favorite set of plans or just
    	some advice?  We live in a cold climate (maine) and would leave
    	the dog out on nice days because we both work.   

>>>>Seriously now, I did see an idea for a dog house plan that used the 
door flap previously mentioned, but also had a wider house, with a 
partition in it so that the dog walked into a "hallway" if you will, and 
turned at the end (back side of house) into a larger area for him to bed 
down in. The house was fully insulated and the roof was hinged to allow for 
you to get into the living area easily. The kept any direct wind off the 
dog and they could survive the worst weather in a snug house.

Do you have an idea of how large this dog is going to be full grown? Be sure 
you accomodate his size without giving him too much room in there....I 
*think* dogs like an area slightly small rather than too big. A better dog 
expert could tell you for sure though.

    Vic H

You could try the CANINE conference on CVG (I don't know about a "MOOSE" keywork 
though ;^)

    
    Put in CEDAR flooring. It's a bit pricey but it drives away fleas
    and ticks. 

    Aromatic cedar is the best.  If the cost of the cedar is too much
    at first thought, think of the savings in flea/tick spray and cleaning
    of the house later on down the line.  The aromatic is also naturally
    rot resistant.