Dogs are known for their den-mentality – having a space that’s theirs and theirs alone. So, why not give that to them?
While outdoor kennels may be great, with the UK weather being as unpredictable as it is, any decent dog owner wouldn’t feel comfortable sending their dog outside in rainy, windy or stormy conditions – regardless of how many socks they may have chewed up.
By providing them with an area of the home that they can make their own, this will not only fulfil their den-mentality, but it’ll also make your dog feel a lot happier as a result.
If you have no idea how to get started with creating your dog haven though, then don’t worry – we’ve got you covered.
Join us as we run through the key steps you’ll need to take in order to transform your home into a doggy paradise.
Step 1: Identify An Area
Unless you’re feeling incredibly generous, you only need to give your dog one particular area of the home where they can relax around their own toys and feel comfortable.
Therefore, before you get started with the rest of the transformation, you’re going to need to pick where exactly this area is going to be.
Whether it be your garage, kitchen, utility room or hallway, look for any particular places your dog likes to lie down, or any areas where they won’t feel so trapped away. Then, once you have decided on an area, mentally allocate this to them so you can then plan the rest accordingly.
Step 2: Insulate
OK, so this point is mainly for those of you who are keen for your dog to live in the garage, shed, conservatory, or a room of the house typically less warm than the others.
While dogs can put up with the cold a lot better than most animals, it’s important to ensure the climate of your space is ideally suited to your dog. The last thing you want is for them to feel freezing overnight, constantly on edge from any loud noises outside, or for their health to suffer in the summer months from being incorrectly looked after.
Therefore, you need to make sure whichever area of the house you’ve allocated is properly insulated. This will not only help keep the cold out in the winter months, but it should keep the humidity out during the summer months too.
Plus, it could save you a ton of money on your energy bills as an added bonus, so there’s that to think about as well.
Step 3: Remove Any Dangers
There are often several potentially dangerous items dotted around the home, so it’s important to ensure wherever your dog sleeps is completely free from potential harm.
Whether it be power tools in the garage, secateurs in the shed, or the boiling hot kettle in the kitchen, you need to be wary about the things that you leave in or around your dog’s resting area.
Therefore, when it comes to setting up your doggy haven, store any potentially dangerous items safely away. Use shelving units to keep harmful chemicals out of reach, cupboards to store any doggy-dangerous foods, and storage boxes to house any items that could cause harm.
You know what dogs are like, after all – they’ll eat or chew anything.
Step 4: Time To Decorate
OK, so you’ve completely set up the area, now it’s time to move onto the fun part: decorating.
Whether you decide to invest in brand new lounge bedding, dog bowls, plush toys, and dog flaps, or simply buy a new blanket for your pooch lie on, how far you go with this is entirely up to you.
One thing to bear in mind though is that dogs enjoy having familiarity. Therefore, try to provide them with their favorite blankets and toys to help them settle into making a new area of the house their home – regardless of how old and tatty they might be.
Plus, you could always add some of your clothes into the area too. Since you are their master, your scent should comfort them while you’re out and about, and unable to take them on their favorite part of the day: walkies.
Step 5: Think About Food & Water
Another favorite part of most dogs days is feeding time.
With this in mind, it’s important to consider the change of feeding routine your pooch is likely to go through now they have their own little area.
While you may want to change everything right now, thinking your dog would appreciate it, try to keep them on the same diet and routine they were on before. That means the same food at the same time of day, just in a different area of the house.
You will also need to ensure your dog is supplied with lots of water whenever they need it. You won’t always be able to keep an eye on them every minute of the day, after all, so you may want to invest in a bowl that won’t tip over easily or cause a mess.
Step 6: Enjoy Your Dog Haven!
While your dog settles into their new home, why not give them a homemade treat or two as a reward?
Then, since you were the one who did all the hard work, treat yourself to one as well – you’ve deserved it.
