Small room for dog (how much, house, crawl space)

[UnhandyAndy]

Hello! I have a crawl space which is rather large about 400 square feet and about 5 feet high. I wonder if I can create a small room for my dog there. Say 20 or 30 square feet. With insulated walls he would have far more space than the crate he is now in. And heating or cooling a small area may be pretty easy especially if it is built with the right walls and floor and ceiling. There may be ways to heat or cool without using energy if it is insulated just right (so I suppose). There is already electricity down there so lighting should be pretty easy to arrange. What would be approximate cost per square foot? Would it add to the square feet of the house? what are the advantages or disadvantages?

[cheapdad00]

I think an easier solution, since you only want 30 Sq ft, is to use one of those inside fence/play yard type things they sell to contain pets and small children.

[lottamoxie]

Yes, it's called an x-pen and that would be a good solution. I used one for my golden retriever when I needed to leave the house and needed to contain her to a safe area of my living room where she wouldn't chew on anything like furniture. In that area she could watch TV, she had access to her doggy door and could go outside in my small fenced yard, or stay inside. Once I was home she had free run of my place. As an adult she no longer needed to be contained and had full run even when I wasn't home.

An important note: Your dog needs to be with you or near you, be able to see and hear you when you're home. It's very important for a dog's emotional well-being. So whatever solution you choose, please do not isolate your dog. (I'm not saying you do this, but I'm surprised by how many people do not understand the needs of their pets, so I'd rather err on the side of caution ).

[UnhandyAndy]

Yes that is a good idea except a) it does not solve the temperature issue (It can get quite cold or hot in there) and b) my dog is a student of Houdini. Escape artist.

[UnhandyAndy]

Yes I would only use when I have to be away and cannot take him with me. For example I cannot take him into work. So if I use a crate then it is relatively small compared to how much space he could have otherwise. If I were one of those people who would isolate a dog then why bother owning one? Agreed! In addition, if it were large enough I could get a second dog ( friend for him.)

[cheapdad00]

Also, what types of stuff are located in your crawlspace? If your dog is an escape artist, I would plan for them escaping from whatever you construct down there and then having free reign of the crawlspace. You think chewing on furniture is bad, just wait until they get their teeth on electrical cables, plastic water pipe or a gas line to a hot water heater or furnace. With a few hours of unsupervised time and lots of boredom, there is no telling the damage they could do.

My boss built an outdoor "kennel" area with tarps as "roofs" for protection from the elements (and the acorns the squirrels would launch at his dogs.

[NM posts]

In your crawlspace?

No

[UnhandyAndy]

thanks for your comments. Good insights. As I see it, it would be a "room" albeit with a lower ceiling than most rooms. The damage he has done so far is mostly entries, exits, and anything restraining: examples, doors, windows and shades and blinds, leash, and harness. But anything can happen. thank you.

[Jkgourmet]

Instead of investing money in this questionable idea, I'd suggest finding a good dog trainer.

[NM posts]

Just rehome the dog if you want to keep it alone in your crawlspace. Seriously.