Need advice. Wood and urine

[Guest Anonymous]

I'd like to build a nice structure for my 2 dogs. I want to
use 2 x 4's. What is stopping me is I know the wood will
absorb urine and it will stink. Any ideas?

[nadooshkinz]

Woudn't varnishing the wood prevent that from happening?

[pollysmith]

Maybe but wouldn't varnish be dangerous if they dig and scratch or eat it? Maybe you could use some sort of wire for the bottom and build it up so that you could slip a pan or newspaper underneath

[courtnek]

get "green wood"..the kind that is used for outside fencing. it resists absorbtion from liquid. get it wet, and rub black pepper into it. one chew session and they'll hate it. I did this with my privacy fence and shed.

it doesnt look pretty, but it does the job. it will ahv to be re-coated with pepper after it rains...

until they learn to leave it alone.

[Lucky Chaos]

Theres something people use for small animal cages that protects from urine, I imagine its the same thing. It has to be safe for them to chew too. I'll look around as I can't remember the name.

[Guest Anonymous]

Is it gonna be an outdoor structure??
If it is, I don't think you'd need a floor besides the ground. And plus if it's gonna be a relaxing spot, I doubt if they'd want to pee in it. Same thing like a crate.

I think for the four corners, you might want to use the 4 x 4 posts for added stability. Let me find some stuff online to show you what to use. I've been wanting to build an outside dog house for Kiani if we actually had grass.

[Guest Anonymous]

Bah... if only I could find it online. Well I'll try to describe it as best as possible. Well if you're gonna build it outside on the lawn, You could use the stakes that you put in the ground for like a mailbox post. They sell them at the HomeDepot. It's about four feet tall that you drive into the ground, then there's a 4x4 open box shape on the top that you put the post into. And for the rest of the frame you could use the 2x4.
For the short sides you could always you something like lattace to allow for a breeze (especially if you live some where like here in Florida). And a piece of plywood to go across the top for some shade. And if you did want to put in a bottom. You could always get a big "pillow" that's made with vinyl material so it's water resistant. The marine stuff works great against water and sun damage. (I used to work for a wholesaler that sold it). And if there are any accidents, it'll hose right off.

My room-mate's a techie and builds theatre stages, so she's taught me quite a bit. I could ask for her advice when she goes to lunch.

[DogPaddle]

Wash it down weekly using a hose and resevoir with a dilute solution of bleach and water or Nature's Miracle or something?
Or use metal instead of wood?