Doghouse Shed Design Ideas

Show You Love Them with a Climate-Controlled Outdoor Kennel

Our pets are becoming more and more a part of the family rather than just a pet. As an animal lover, I love to give my pets just as much comfort as I give the rest of my family.

Turning your shed into a doghouse is a great answer for this practical need.

Photo Credit: www.forum.snipershide.com

This may seem extravagant to some, but there are many practical reasons to need a doghouse that serves as more than just a roof over the head. Many people don’t allow their large dogs inside the house unsupervised. Extremely hot or cold climates often make it necessary for animals to have their own backyard home away from home while their humans are at work or gone for the day.

Doghouse Climate Control

An air-conditioned and insulated shed makes a great summer getaway for your dog. Install a dog door and turn on the A/C in your shed to make a great spot to keep your pup cool.

Shed includes a doggie door! Photo Credit: http://papillonman.hubpages.com/hub/Building-a-Shed-Style-Doghouse-with-Airconditioning

Insulation is a great way to keep your dog warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

How to install insulation in your shed:

Insulate a wooden shed:

• Install blanket fiberglass insulation in between the studs
• Screw plywood over the top

Insulate a metal or plastic shed:

• Use reflective double foil insulation
• Staple it to the walls and cover the seams with duct tape

Tip: Adding some vents will help keep your shed doghouse cool in the summer. 

Make Your Doghouse Shed Feeding Friendly

Set up a feeding station to make your doghouse more pet-friendly. Keeping your dog’s food in his/her house makes for a more comfortable home in your backyard.

Photo Credit: www.doggiesolutions.co.uk

This feeding station will keep your food inside the cabinet area and you can refill it whenever you like.

Personally, I like the automatic dog feeders/waterers. It makes me feel like a much better pet owner when I am away for longer periods during the day, knowing that my dog has plenty of food and especially water.

Make Your Doghouse Shed Sleep-Friendly

Give your dog a comfortable spot to sleep in his shed doghouse. I know many people love to sleep with their pets. Hey, to each his own. But I am not one of those people. I do not allow pets in my bed at all. Giving my dog her own spot to sleep at night, outside in the yard is a great way to alleviate my fears that my dog may not be as comfortable as the rest of the family. As the protector, they need a good spot to rest their heads.

Fast Fact: Most dogs sleep often throughout the day. Dogs will sleep between 12-18 hours per day. They sleep in short spurts to keep their energy up.  

Fancier Doghouse Sheds for Inspiration

Get inspired by some of these fancier versions of a doghouse/shed. Some sheds are designed just for the dog. And some are designed to share with your dog, making it a multipurpose home/activity area.

Photo Credit: www.doghousepictures.org

This doghouse shed is a cocktail bar and doghouse together. Multipurpose use!

From http://www.readersheds.co.uk/share.cfm?SHARESHED=752

If you’re a big Lord of the Rings fan, this doghouse Hobbit Hole may be right up your alley.

From Etsy, a doghouse Hobbit Hole. http://etsymaineteam.blogspot.com/2012_02_01_archive.html

This dog mansion is the fanciest one I’ve seen!

http://www.serenityhealth.com/blog/topics/pets/dog-house-types/page/2/

Shed Doghouse

Turning your shed into a doghouse is a great use for an unused shed. Oftentimes, it seems that dogs take over the house. This way your dog can have his own space and you will get your house back.

Join our conversation across the web. #doghouses. I promise we won’t bite!