Dog kennel idea. I need some input

[PA BEN]

I'm getting a new Lab pup. I have a few months to get ready for the new guy, so I thought I'd do it right this time. It's been 11 years sense my bird dog passed. My idea is to dig into the bank where I plan on putting the kennel for the dog house. Like the old root cellers. Warm in the winter cool in the summer. I was thinking of using  pressure treated wood. Do you think this type of wood would be toxic to my dog. I would paint over the treatment. Or I could use treated wood for the outside frame and sheet the inside with cedar. I was thinking 2x6 framing with insulation.

[Ridgeratt]

If your concerned why not build the foundation out of CMU's and then use Non treated lumber for the base pad. Notch the CMU's to lay the lumber into.

[vandeman17]

I have pressure treated lumber in my kennel and never had any issues

[PA BEN]

CMU?

[Ridgeratt]

Concrete Blocks then you could pour the cells full of stryo peanuts

[Curly]

[wildweeds]

Awful lot of work for little gain. Concrete slab with 3 inches fall in 15 feet , 8 foot wide ,6x12 kennel and a regular old dogh k9 condo doghouse that comes insulated with a perching spot for lounging around. A sunshade cover can cut down the amount of sun let in and does quite a bit to cool things down if there is no shade available. Clean neat and rock solid containment to keep from having runner over or getting a big vet bill from chewing and eating the materials used. I built a bunch of houses out of car decking mill ends from the local mill. Glued em togeter, plywood floor,flat roof for lounging,hinged lid for bedding,angle iron frame for doorway to curb the chewing. And they are cool in summer and warm in winter with full thickness wood

[PA BEN]

I have a small back hoe, so the work to dig out the bank and back fill will be no big deal. The reason I want to do the in ground dog house is a nice cool house to get out of this Eastside heat in the summer. I might do a trex type floor instead of concrete.

[JJD]

About the only advantage concrete has over Trex is the ease of cleaning.  Trex has the groved joints that waste can get caught up in and will take some srubbing to get clean.
Concrete takes a spray nozzle on a garden hose and you are done in minutes.  You can also sanitize it with a tiny bit of bleach in a bucket full of water.  Slosh it around with a mop, let set for a few min and rinse it good and let it dry before dogs enter.  yeah, concrete is a pain to pour, but I believe it is worth the initial cost and trouble.

[KFhunter]

I love the idea of digging into the bank, it would be much cooler and if you have a backhoe why not?

I would use all concrete though

[WRL]

How are you going to clean your "doghouse" if its in the bank?

A removable dog house is going to be way more sanitary.

BTW, treated lumber is toxic to animals.

WRL

[bhawley76]

Pervious concrete has your name all over it! look it up, hope that helps. Not easy to work with or pour but well worth it. Easy to clean with just a garden hose.

[ghosthunter]

I thought about concrete but went with pea gravel instead.
It's cheap,clean and stays clean with very little work. I keep a flat shovel and children's rake at the door. Just rake the dropping into shovel and dispose.
In summer the dropping dry out quick.
Once a week I rake the gravel out.

Every two years I add more gravel.

2 nd lab now.
Took two used kennels and put  them together to make 12x13. Covered 1/3 with roof over dog house and feeding area for shade and protection.

[KFhunter]

How are you going to clean your "doghouse" if its in the bank?

A removable dog house is going to be way more sanitary.

BTW, treated lumber is toxic to animals.

WRL

I was thinking partially bury a concrete well ring with a lid on it, open the lid -spray everything out - drop in a bale of straw  done.  You'll have to knock a hole for the dog to get in and make a nest.  If I remember right they're pretty cheap.

[PA BEN]

How are you going to clean your "doghouse" if its in the bank?

A removable dog house is going to be way more sanitary.

BTW, treated lumber is toxic to animals.

WRL

Make the front removable