Dog House

[hr1940]

I have 2 outside dogs and they have a Dogloo house. I am thinking about getting a wooden pallet to set their house on. It would be close to the wall of my house. My house is brick but like any other house there is a lot of wood inside. Will I be inviting Termites if I have the pallet close to the house? Right now I have their house setting on bricks. I am trying to prevent water getting into their house.

Thank you in advance.

Helen

 

[Quattro Pete]

Hi Helen,

Maybe you could have the wooden pallet treated with something to repel termites?

What's wrong with the bricks though? Are they not high enough? Can you add a second layer of bricks or use larger bricks, or are you worried that it would become dangerously unstable then?

 

[bullwinkle]

Anytime untreated wood is in contact with the ground it can be a termite magnet-why not get some treated landscape timbers to set the Dogloo on? That way air can still get underneath, and it won't get eaten by termites or carpenter ants.

 

[JHZR2]

I wouldnt chance it. I'd probably try instead to get some kind of block that could get it up a bit higher.

Id not want the treated wood due to the arsenic and other bad stuff that may be in it.

 

[Boomer]

Just put a sheet of poly over the bricks and put the doghouse on top of that. No water will wick through the poly.

 

[Kruse]

Although not nearly as common, there are pallets made of plastic. A local guy here who specializes in pallets sells plastic pallets, although it doesn't do you any good since you are not close by. If somebody near you sells pallets, I'm betting that he will have some of the plastic ones in his inventory.
If you have a farm/fleet store near you, they also sell cow mats, although I'm not exactly sure of the brand name. Basically, it's a thick rubber sheet that dairy farmers use for their cows to lie on.
Either one of the above would be impervious to termites or bugs.

 

[pandus13]

Originally Posted By: Kruse
Although not nearly as common, there are pallets made of plastic. A local guy here who specializes in pallets sells plastic pallets, although it doesn't do you any good since you are not close by. If somebody near you sells pallets, I'm betting that he will have some of the plastic ones in his inventory.
If you have a farm/fleet store near you, they also sell cow mats, although I'm not exactly sure of the brand name. Basically, it's a thick rubber sheet that dairy farmers use for their cows to lie on.
Either one of the above would be impervious to termites or bugs.

Helen,
try the guys in the back of your local Post Office. they may have some extra plastic pallets.
also your local medium/small size grocery store.

 

[SatinSilver]

Let the dogs inside your home, sheesh!

 

[doitmyself]

Helen,

If I lived near you, I would be at your house lickety split to help build a pad to get your OUTSIDE dog houses up off the ground a bit.

Do you have anyone to help you? If you cannot find a plastic pallet (ideal solution), take a trip to Home Depot and see if they can fix you up with some composite deck material. Or, there are many landscape pavers that would provide better support than bricks. Finally, you could build up a "pad" with landscape stone of some sort. 1" +/- stone that would lock together a bit and stay put. They even have it in bags (mulch).

Best of luck!

 

[hr1940]

Thank you for all your help. The bricks are the right height but the Lab will rub against the house and he pushes it off the bricks. When he sees that I am going to put it back on the bricks he gets in the house and I try to move him and the house (he weighs 80 lbs). I will look for a plastic pallet.

The reason that they are not allowed in is because Jackson was 3 years old when he moved in. He had never been in a house and immediately wanted to mark everything. They know they are loved because I go out and sit with them while they eat their breakfast and dinner (each time I spend about 45 minutes while they eat). I hold an umbrella over them while they eat if it is raining or snowing. I go out when weather permits and an throw balls for them or pick up tree branches and things out of the yard.

Jackson is very stubborn and trying to potty train him became a war of the wills. Their house is very warm because I put a layer of cedar chips down and then add hay. They arrange it the way they want.

I love dogs and I only want the best for them. When Jackson moved in he had heart worms and had to spend a week in the hospital. He is my special baby because he had suffered so much and I want to make sure the remainder of his life is good

Again Thank You to each one of you for your help.

Helen

 

[NHHEMI]

Originally Posted By: hr1940
I have 2 outside dogs and they have a Dogloo house. I am thinking about getting a wooden pallet to set their house on. It would be close to the wall of my house. My house is brick but like any other house there is a lot of wood inside. Will I be inviting Termites if I have the pallet close to the house? Right now I have their house setting on bricks. I am trying to prevent water getting into their house.

Thank you in advance.

Helen


When I have an outside dog house I use the solid concrete half blocks, one under each corner, to keep it raised up to allow air to circulate under it. I would not set it on a pallet. A pallet will trap moisture under there and lead to rot, mildew, mould,, etc... The blocks will work better and are thicker/taller than bricks.

Also, FWIW, if you will use shavings inside use cedar not pine. Cedar repels ticks, fleas, etc... and as a bonus makes your dog's smell great too.