kennel temp

[nb11]

I needed a new wireless indoor/outdoor thermometer. Had to go to Lowes today, so I got one. Just for entertainment, I put the outdoor transmitter inside the dog box to check the temp. at 9 p.m. it was 40 degrees outside. The box was 47 degrees inside. This was in a box where one dog is kenneled by himself.
In the past I have never had dogs kenneled alone. I have one male now and he causes problems with the other dogs when kenneled together. This temp reading was taken out of his box.
Typically, I do not turn on the light in the box until it gets below 30.
In the case of this one dog being kenneled alone, should I turn on the light earlier than with the other dogs who are kenneled together? when?
thanks

[DIXIEDOG]

It depends on the dog. I have a couple older females that get cold when it's below 40 deg or so, they'll be shivering when it's that cold I turn their light on. If your dog doesn't seem like it's cold I wouldn't worry, you'll know for sure when it's time.

[Panther Creek]

When you say "turn the light on", are ya talkin about a light bulb for warmth?

[DIXIEDOG]

When you say "turn the light on", are ya talkin about a light bulb for warmth?

I can't speak for nb11 but that is what I'm referring to.

[nb11]

yea. light for heat.

[BuschBound]

You know I tried heated kennels and for me and a few others out this way it is a bad thing. For one, dogs regulate thier body temps just like any other wild animal. take a dog out of heat and put him in colder conditions and they will not last long as a dog that lives in the cold will not even be affected but it. I've even tried it when the temp got down to 20 degrees and just kept the kennel house in the 50's and we would go out on a cold mornings when it was in the single digits and the dogs that were in heated kennels just wouldn't go... I've even seen where at some trials this way where the temps were in -15 to -20 degree temps and the dogs that were in heated kennels were just shaking like crazy before they were even casted and the ones that lived in the conditions and produced thier own heat were never fazed abit. I think the best thing for a dog is a good insulated box with a door on it works the best. Some of us even use straw bedding. I make my boxes very small so two dogs fit snug... low ceilings, walls close, Well insulated and a spring loaded door to the outside.
My dogs have had to come into the house a few times just to be sure, but I won't even bother until the nights hit about -30 below. I bring them in and put them in the basement in dog crates for the night and back out in the mornings.. only happens about 3 times a year...

We've been beat as well coming from our colder conditions and trying to compete down south where the temps were in the 40's and it was just to darn warm for our hounds during the winter months...

Dave

[Hare Hawk]

Buschbound,

Do you have a picture of the spring loaded doors that you put on your houses. I live in western Wisconsin and right now my dog house has a rubber flap but the pup chews on it and it gets smaller and smaller over time. Just wondering what material you use for your doors and how they work.

I also agree with leaving a dog to produce its own heat. As long as they have a well constructed house they should be fine in the cold temps.