Q. Will the Dog Den keep my dog warm?

A. No other manufacturer makes a warmer outdoor doghouse. Our closest competitor uses only 3/4" foam insulation in the ceiling and walls and none in the floor. By replacing corners with radii, much wasted space is eliminated—wasted space that your dog could not use but had to heat. We have never had a Dog Den returned because the owner felt that our insulated doghouse did not keep the dog warm. If the customer wants something even warmer, we can include a Hound Heater Pet House Furnace for $134.95.

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. What are the dimensions of Dog Den 2?

A. Dog Dens 2 measures 34" long x 22" wide x 22" tall. 

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

A. Flaps are chewable and seldom last more than a few days. Moreover, they 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. The Kennel Door stops rain, locks open for superior rain protection, and channels rain away from the interior. 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 ten years and with more than 50,000 Kennel Doors in use, none have required replacement as a result of chewing.

Q. Does the doggie 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" (not included) skids must also be attached to the floor. The lid latches require attachment with three screws each, and the self-sealing weather stripping 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 in a matter of minutes. 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.

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. The Dog Den 3 has a door barrier that measures 6".

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 3/4" 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 3/4" foam. 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. Where is the optional dog heater located and how does it work?

A. The Hound Heater Pet House Furnace is installed on the back wall of the Dog Den. It is powered by 110-volt household current and uses a maximum of 150 watts.

Q. Can I use bedding with the dog heater?

A. Yes.

Q. Is there any danger of the bedding catching fire from use with the dog heater?

A. No.

Q. Is the heater and electrical cord protected from chewing?

A. No. The cord passes through the back wall of the Dog Den. The Dog Den should be positioned in such a way that the cord is not accessible to the dog.

Q. How many watts is the dog heater rated at and how many amps does it draw?

A. The Hound Heater produces 150 watts and draws only one amp. It must be used with a 110-volt ground fault receptacle.

Q. How warm will the heater keep my Dog Den?

A. This question is very difficult to answer because of the number of variables. Dog size and weather conditions will affect the heater’s performance greatly. Normally you can count on at least a 20-degree increase over ambient. Temperatures are dependent on the size of the Dog Den, outside temperatures, and wind velocity. Approximate settings are as follows: Low/Medium, 45–75° F; Medium/High, 50–80° F.

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. We replace these at the nominal cost of $18.00 for a package of 10. 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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