Winter is here in Bradford and Sullivan Counties. We have already seen our first and second snowfalls and according to the Farmer's Almanac we may have a lot of snow and cold temperatures this year. It is extremely important that during the wintertime if your dog cannot live inside your house all day, to take extra care of their outdoor shelter.
Proper shelter for outdoor dogs is as following:
- Roof: Black tar paper or shingle weatherproof roof and sides.
- Door: Burlap sack or black rubber mat with slits cut almost to the top. Entrance must close over to keep body heat in and cold weather, rain, and snow out.
- Bedding: Use winter bedding such as straw, cedar chips or newspaper rather than cloth, rugs, or blankets as they hold in moisture and freeze. Change bedding when damp. Also use a wooden lip to keep the bedding in.
- Dog House: The doghouse should be at least 2 inches off the ground to prevent dampness and floor rot. The dog shelter should be large enough to allow the dog to stand, turn around and lie down comfortably, but small enough to allow the dog to warm the interior with its body heat.
- Chains: If you are using a chain, the chain length should be 10 feet or longer.
- A dog tied to a car door handle or porch
- A trash can or metal barrel put on its side – metal doors do not retain heat
- Planks of wood up against the side of a building
- A leaky dog house
- Used furniture turned upside down
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