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Is anyone here using plastic 55 gallon drums for dog houses? If so, what do you do to them, if anything? I'm building a new kennel and was thinking of using drums since they're readily available and hold up well in our humidity and rain. Trouble is, I've never used any. I plan to put them up off the ground, with the majority on the outside of the pen. Any suggestions?

I use them. I just cut the smallest hole in the front I can, so that the straw stays in, as well as the heat. I build a little wood stand for them to go on, so the don't roll away. Easy to pick up, dump out, and clean out. They stay warm and dry, even in the snow.

I use them too the draw back for me is the heat. if your not careful here heat stroke is the main issue. I put wood chips in during the summer and wet them down. I also put a "awning type deal" on mine probably not necessary most places.

I made a log frame for it and put some small holes here and there on the bottom so any moisture or water from dogs can drain out I dont know if it helps but the idea works in my head so what the heck the pups like it

we use them the exact same as reedwood does. they wrok great

I start with a 4 in treated post sawed in half, fasten them on both sides bottom of barrel then 2x4 treated uprights each corner with 2ft x4ft plywood on top for hounds to lay up on.for cold weather take them to a foam home insulator and have them spray a couple inches on the outside.best,don

Again

they work good in some climates not worth a tinkers damb in snow and cold temps dogs can not stay warm in them if it get below zero no substitute for a good wood house

i stopped using them a few years ago due to the fact unlike popular opinion they are not as warm as you would think unless you do the insulated foam like stated above. the dogs just adapt. you can place a thermometer in it during winter and find no temperature change, also laying on a curved surface is worse for the dogs. distorts the body.

Fill them full of straw u can't ask for a better long lasting dog house......it hit -38 here this winter my dogs did just fine....I've Used them for 15+yrs now

I use them in camp. I put dirt in them, and then add straw or grass hay. The dogs seem to do just fine. I think it's neccasary to put the dirt on the inside in order to give the dogs something to hold their body heat, with the grass hay as additional insulation, as well as comfort.

benny you hunt off horse back right? I've used boxes in the trailer or back of the truck or camping. so long as its a long days hunt i don't have any issue. but the if i make the mistake of not getting there the first day until late.

I use them all the time here in Canada and have zero problems with the dogs getting cold in the winter. I make sure that there is a flap over the door opening in the winter (till the dog pulls it off) and make sure there is lots of straw in the barrel. I would recomend to put holes in the bottom to drain and extra moisture that comes in. I have all of mine on 4x4's to keep them off the ground.

If you have small dogs stand the barrel upright and burry it half way in the ground. Super insulated!