DIY Network

Introducing Gizmo and Rocky From "Barkitecture" episode DBAR-110

This pair is the best of friends.

This is Gizmo and Rocky. They are best friends and they have it made. The pair lives in a great house with a nice, big fenced backyard. Their owners, however, are concerned about them getting overheated on hot summer days. That's where the Barkitecture team can help! Dr. Karen will offer tips on caring for these little guys while Kenny will come up with a creative way to keep Gizmo and Rocky cool.

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	Rocky
	Gizmo

Gizmo and Rocky

This cuddly shih tzu is Gizmo and this cute poodle is his buddy Rocky. Hosts Dr. Karen Tobias and Kenny Alfonso are on board to help these dogs stay healthy and comfortable during hot summer days. Both shih tzus and poodles are a part of the toy class breeds. These animals make wonderful pets...they are lots of fun, full of energy and good indoors. However, they do have health issues, so it's important to be able to recognize problems when they are spending time outside in the summer sun. For Gizmo and Rocky, there are no trees or shades in the backyard. Kenny will need to build something to get these guys out of the sun...so they can 'have it made in the shade.'

Owners Thao Nguyen and Ken Walker allow Gizmo and Rocky to stay inside at night, but they like to let them outdoors during the day. Because there isn't much coverage outside, they worry over the dogs getting too hot.

Overheating for dogs is dangerous just like it is for people. Dogs cool off by panting, but if a dog is ever flat out on his sides, he is overheated. If your dog is unresponsive, get him immediately out of the sun and check his body temperature. If your dog is overheated, cool him down in a tub of cool water, not cold, and then get him to a vet.

	The composite material used doesn't need weatherproofing.
	Gizmo and Rocky will have plenty of shade underneath this structure.

Dog Shade Structure Plans

The plan is to get Gizmo and Rocky out of the sun. Kenny could build them a doghouse, but they already have a nice house with Thao and Ken. They need a shade structure in the backyard. The trick for Kenny is to build a structure that provides a lot of shade and still allows air to circulate through it...basically a house without walls.

Another concern is durability. This structure will be left outside year-round in the elements. Kenny decides to use a sturdy composite material manufactured to build decks. It doesn't need weatherproofing or paint, it is easy to use and will look great too.

The L-shaped composite material will make up the outer frame of the base. The 2x6 planks will be used to deck the floor. The L's will work for the uprights and the gable can be cut out of the 1x10. A handrail will tie the whole thing together at the top. The shade will come from a piece of outdoor upholstery fabric stretched over the top and nailed down with stainless steel upholstery tacks.

Barkitecture Tidbit:

• Both poodles and shih tzus enjoy human interactions. Some shih tzus can be difficult to housetrain, but they come around with consistent, patient encouragement.

RESOURCES :

Young-Williams Animal Center
Website: www.knoxpets.org

The American Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)
Website: www.aspca.org

Petfinder.com
Website: www.petfinder.com