The Puppy Coop is Open
We start riding tomorrow, gathering cattle in the muddy badlands.
That meant today was a deadline of sorts. One that separates me from all the new additions. There would be no one here to let Dally outside... and she's had more than one accident inside as of late. She HAD to move outside, meaning puppies had to move too.
It's been fun, but my house smelled like Wet Dog, and there was plenty of mud being tracked in by all the people, much less the dogs.
The Puppy Coop had to be completed by today.
I'm transforming the chicken coop to dog status. If I ever get chickens, I won't have a place for them!
Windows needed repaired. The bottom of the dutch door was not attached. And a dog sized door needed to be installed. Plus I wanted a threshold for the straw/pine shavings I'll put in when the pups are a little bigger, leaving some "clean" floor for romping around.
The roost holds dog kennels and tunnel...
The windows are repaired and caulked... the bottom screen door rehung.
Yes, the grass outside the door needs to be mowed down... and then eventually a kennel will be placed here. Nice view, eh?
The curvy walls are only partly my bad use of a sawzall. Old wood with cracks in it sometimes creates its own direction!
A scrap piece of plexiglass sandwiched between two boards and some innertubing created my doorway.
I need to support it a smidge more, but it'll work for a bit this way.
An interior wooden door was hinged over the swinging plexiglass. I'll put a hook and latch on it to keep it shut. I also have a piece to hang outside... thereby creating a better blizzard barrier if it becomes necessary to keep this place warm in the winter.
All the dogs quickly caught onto the door. Lucas will need a step as he has to get a run at it with his bad hips. He can make it though! I was figuring on a step at some point anyway.
It works both ways too!
All settled in. I'm leaving on the heat lamp for now... it was 36 degrees the other night... but I'll turn it off tomorrow morning.
So, I met my deadline. Even though it needs some tweaking, it's perfectly fine for now.
The Puppy Coop is OPEN for business!
****
May 30, 2010 Thrilled With Green
May 30, 2009 Sore and Achy Part 2
May 30, 2008 First Day
Posted by Carol at 5/30/2011 10:07 PM 
Categories: Ranchlife, Dogs, Projects
Tags: ranch Wyoming English Shepherds
Categories: Ranchlife, Dogs, Projects
Tags: ranch Wyoming English Shepherds
very good job!! i would rather have a dog/puppy coop than a chicken coop. we had chickens once - way too labor intensive for the rewards. i love dogs much more than chickens. they all look wonderfully happy and content.
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Love the "yankee ingenuity" you have!
Looks good - and I think you've thought of everything to turn the chicken coop into a kennel.
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What a great job you did and what a great place for those pups. I am impressed. I put together a small chest but needed a pamphlet with step by step directions and all the holes predrilled! I love the photo with Elsa close by keeping company.
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I love your puppy coop. ..and I can't wait to watch the puppies as they grow.
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You did a great job... It does look so clean and cozy... They will be so happy here where they will soon run and romp all over. You won't have to worry about them at all....
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How has Elsa been with the puppies, and seeing Dally as a mother? The coop looks great, can't wait to see hte puppies when they're a little older!
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Wow, you have been busy. Looks great. Now they have a perfect little place and warm and snug!
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