Q. Will the Dog Den keep my dog warm?

A. It has become increasingly difficult to find a dog house that is insulated at all. Our Dog Den 2 is fully insulated and eliminates wasted interior space such as using round rather than square corners. Often, dog owners look for an excessively large dog house assuming that a larger house will increase comfort for their dog. Excessively large dog houses can result in a large interior void which is less efficient to heat, as a result, dogs will expend additional energy trying to stay warm in an overly large dog house. Our Dog Den 2 is designed to provide enough room for most dogs to be comfortable while limiting excessive internal voids.  With less wasted space to heat, dogs expend less energy and stay in better physical condition in cold climates.  

Q. Will the Dog Den keep my dog cool in hot weather?

No doghouse, including our products, will keep a dog cooler than ambient shade temperature without supplemental cooling such as air conditioning. However, some doghouses are definitely hotter than others. Uninsulated doghouses that are exposed to direct summer sun become an oven for the dog and typically are as much as 20 degrees F higher than shade temperature, sometimes more depending on the construction material used. An insulated doghouse performs much better but for the dogs comfort and safety.  No doghouse should be exposed to direct hot summer sun. We have found that dogs will rest in our Dog Den models with the door locked in the open position until temperatures reach the mid 90's. Once the temperature reaches that point dogs will lie outside. The one thing to keep in mind is that dogs have survived for thousands of years by finding a shaded area to protect them from overheating. I do not bring my dogs in my home so they must be content with being provided a well shaded kennel area and the best doghouse made to rest in. Our Dog Dens offer the best shelter that money can buy. The fact that we continue to thrive in the doghouse market for over 30 years speaks to the quality of our products.

Q. Why is your dog door better than door flaps or other kennel doors?

A. Other dog door often have flaps are chewable and often have a very short life. Moreover, they can actually channel rain inside the doghouse and cannot be locked open to provide shade and additional rain protection. Although some dog doors seal tighter, they don’t provide a rain shield, cannot be locked open without modification, and just like flaps, channel rainwater into the doghouse. Our Kennel Door stops rain, locks open for superior rain protection, and channels rain away from the interior. Even better, our all steel door flap can't be chewed. The durable Kennel Door is standard equipment with all Dog Den models. You pay extra to add a door to any other manufactured outdoor doghouse. In 30 plus years and with thousands of Kennel Doors in use, none have required replacement as a result of chewing.

Q. Does the Kennel Door make any noise when the dog enters or exits?

A. When installed and maintained per our instructions, the door is silent when in use.

Q. What is involved in completing the factory-assembled Dog Den 2?

A. The dog door assembly must be attached with ten bolts, nuts, and lock washers. Wood 2"X 4" or 2"X 6" (not included) skids can also be attached to the floor using pre-cut tabs in the floor. The lid latches require attachment with three screws or rivets each, and the self-sealing weather stripping (included) must be attached to the top of the wall. All the necessary fasteners are included. Check the instructions on this site for details.

Q. Are the Dog Dens washable?

A. Dog Dens are completely washable and dry out quickly. The floor can be removed to allow water to drain. It’s also easy to disinfect.

Q. Does the Dog Den sweat in cold weather?

A. No! Frost or condensation will form on the dog door but walls, floor, and ceiling remain free of moisture.

Q. Can the lid be blown off in heavy wind?

A. Not if the latches are properly installed. The latches on the Dog Den 2 are a twist style butterfly latch that when properly latched, lock in place.

Q. How deep is the dog door lip or barrier?

A. The lip or door barrier of Dog Dens 2 is 4" high and retains bedding inside very well. 

Q. What is the wall made of?

A. The core of the wall is 3/4" thick insulating foam that is sandwiched between two layers of 1/16" recycled plastic. The exterior wall is treated to withstand ultraviolet rays and will last for years. The exterior wall of Dog Dens 3 is constructed of commercial-grade interlocking 24-gauge steel panel.

Q. What is the floor made of?

A. The floor is made of 22-gauge zinc-plated steel.

Q. Won’t my dog be cold resting on a steel floor?

A. No! The steel rests upon 1/2" foam insulation and does not come in contact with the exterior wall or floor. Regardless the type of material used for the floor, a dog should never be allowed to constantly rest on a smooth, hard surface such as wood, plastic, or steel. Some type of bedding or mat should always be used to provide comfort for the dog and to prevent pressure sores.

Q. How big of a dog can use the Dog Den 2?

A. Many of our customers house dogs weighing 100 pounds or more in the Dog Den 2. The perfect size outdoor doghouse allows enough room for a dog to enter, turn around, and curl up. Any area larger than this creates excess space for the dog to heat. Too many people want a doghouse that is far too large for their dog. The desire for more space is the norm for humans, but more area is not helpful in keeping a dog comfortable in cold weather.

Q. Does bedding have to be used?

A. Yes. Some form of bedding or cushioning mat is necessary. We strongly recommend the use of high-quality grass hay for bedding in cold climates. In warmer climates rubber and grass doormats work well. The floor will keep you’re your dog warm regardless if bedding is used, as it is insulated with 1/2" foam. This is the same foam insulation used in residential construction. However, loose bedding and mats will give your dog more cushion and comfort. Failure to use bedding or mats on the floor can subject the interior floor to urine tracked in by the dog, increasing the possibility of rust.

Q. What is covered in your five-year guarantee?

A. We will replace any part that fails due to dog chewing or defect on a pro rata basis (see warranty information for details). Customers are responsible for the cost of shipping or can pick it up at our factory without cost. The hinge grommets are not covered as their wear depends on the amount of use and maintenance. Regular lubrication with silicone spray or silicone grease will extend the life of the bushing considerably.

Q. Does the warranty cover rust?

A. No. We use G90 grade sheet metal that is the highest grade of rust-resistant steel available. With proper care and maintenance the steel parts will last many years. My Dog Den insulated doghouse is seven years old and there is not a spot of rust on it. However, zinc that is chronically exposed to dog urine will eventually rust if not cleaned on a regular basis. If your dog is either urinating on the steel parts or tracks urine into the Dog Den’s bare interior floor, rust will be sure to follow if not cleaned. For added protection, a coat of spray or roll-on bed liner will protect the zinc coating on the steel and is impervious to the acid in dog urine. Bed liner can be bought by the can at most auto parts stores.

Q. Are Dog Den models vented?

A. Although we used vents on some of the earlier Dog Den models, we learned that vents did not offer enough pluses to outweigh the minuses. We found that dogs would lay inside the Dog Den until ambient temperatures reached 95 degrees Fahrenheit regardless if it was vented or not. The vent opening was a magnet for dog chewing, and it was difficult for the customer to seal during cold weather.

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