Cold Weather Dog House - Page 2

I like how Capri gets a chair... I know she's a grandma and all, but now I imagine her sitting in her chair knitting sweaters for the grandpups....

Hahaha, that's MY chair, because that's really the puppy pen. *I* sit in the chair and watch pups. When they get dangerous, I move to my other chair, just outside the pen.   I assure you, she may be older, but she ain't knittin' $*&+ ! 

Thank you everyone for your comments and suggestions! Sorry to take forever to get back!

 

Jenni, looks very nice, like a lot of the Amish made dog kennels.  

I like the idea of adding rubber horse mat to the bottom.  Seems like it would be easier to clean if the dogs tracked in mud or poo.

I also like the "build your own" idea! 

Check out what the rubber mats are made from.

http://www.rbrubber.com/company.html
If it's not safe for kids to play in, how can it be safe for dogs to lay on the same material made into a stall mat?
http://blog.familywize.org/2013/12/are-your-kids-playing-on-toxic.html?m=1

I'm with Joan. No rubber here. 

There's always a compromise with flooring, wood deck you can have problems like Jen (didn't even think of the gravel tracking in with that), cement you can have raw feet and stressed joints, rubber mats (or any solid floor) you can get puddles of pee or other liquids, anything the dogs can get an edge up of ou can have chewed pieced, ingestion and GI impactions. Choose your poison. I tend to go with wood decking right now, it has benefits that other flooring doesn't for my needs, and most people who I have recommended it to like/love it. Each has it's own benefits and detriments though.

Ang

Yeah......that's why most gym's and playgrounds in the country use rubber products for area cover..........because they are hazardous to our health.

I've had horses on rubber mats, in their stalls and horse trailer flooring,  for over twenty years.....never any issues.

My dog's are on rubber mats in their kennels .....no issues.

I'd have to see numerous accredited studies done on the proven side effects before I'd quit using them.

 

Not talking about just rubber...talking about recycled tires. Years ago, horse stall mats weren't made from recycled tires. They are now...it's called "progress", they gotta do something with all those discarded tires. Horses don't usually lie down in the trailer, and usually, if the mats are used in a stall, (which I never have cause the urine collects under them and stink), there is some sort of bedding on top. Dogs on recycled tires are likely to inadvertently lick the rubber while grooming, etc.
Just in case some dog owners are not aware of what's contained in recycled tire rubber I figured I'd bring it to their attention...... they can take this info or leave it.
I'm certainly not suggesting you quit using them....some people won't quit smoking in light of evidence cigs cause ca. Not my problem.

Joan......Your right people can take posted information or leave it. That's why I posted my response.

Comparing cigarette smoking to rubber mats? Really......The affects of cigarette smoking have been proven both medically and scientifically time and again.

You post one article from a blog and act like rubber mats are the absolute worst thing a person could put down for kennel flooring. Where is the proven data?

 

Rubber:

Does not absorb urine = reduced bacteria, easier to sanitize

Easy on the joints

Long term cost: Rubber mat $55 for 4x6 (not mandatory replacement)

Wood:

Does absorb urine = increase bacteria production and you can't sanitize it.....think dish sponge.

Wood ply (not OSB) $25.00 frequent replacement for ware and sanitary reasons.