How to choose a durable water spigot for dogs? (Find reliable models that last season after season)
Okay, so today I wanna share something I knocked together over the weekend – setting up a dedicated water spigot thing for my dogs outside.
Why I Did It
Honestly, the water bowl situation was getting ridiculous. Either it was bone dry because Max drinks like a camel, or it was full of dirt and leaves that Lucy loves to splash in. Plus, constantly cleaning and refilling it, especially when I just wanted to relax in the yard, was a pain. I figured there had to be a better way.
Getting Started - The Plan (Sort Of)
I didn't have a super detailed blueprint or anything. My main thought was to tap into the existing hose spigot on the back of the house. I'd seen those little push-paddle or lick-activated waterers online, the ones that connect right to a hose or pipe. Seemed simple enough. So, the plan was:
- Find a suitable dog waterer device.
- Get the right fittings to connect it near the existing spigot.
- Put it all together.
Easy, right? Well, mostly.
The Actual Work
First stop was the hardware store. Found a pretty sturdy-looking metal paddle waterer designed for pets. It looked like it could take some abuse from my two goofballs. I also grabbed a Y-splitter for the main spigot, some extra hose washers (always need these!), and some plumber's tape just in case.
Back home, the first really important step was shutting off the water supply to that outdoor spigot. Learned that lesson the hard way years ago... let's just say it involved a geyser and a very soggy me. Found the shut-off valve in the basement, gave it a good crank clockwise until it stopped.
Then, I went outside and opened the spigot to drain any remaining water. Once it stopped dripping, I unscrewed the hose.
Next, I screwed on the Y-splitter. Put a little plumber's tape on the threads first, just to be safe. Tightened it up nicely. One side of the 'Y' was for the regular garden hose, the other was for the new dog waterer.
Connecting the waterer device itself was straightforward. It came with a short, flexible hose piece. I connected one end to the open side of the Y-splitter and the other to the inlet on the dog waterer. Again, used plumber's tape on the threads and made sure the washers were seated properly inside the connectors. I tightened everything by hand first, then gave it a gentle nudge with a wrench – not too tight, didn't want to strip anything or crack the plastic fittings on the splitter.
I placed the waterer device on a couple of flat paving stones I had lying around to keep it stable and off the dirt.
The Moment of Truth
Okay, time to test it. Went back to the basement, slowly turned the water supply valve back on. Listened for any weird noises. Nope, sounded okay. Went back outside.
Checked all the connections – the Y-splitter, the hose connections to the waterer. No drips! Success! I pushed the little paddle on the dog waterer, and fresh water flowed out nicely. Let go, and it stopped. Perfect.
Getting the Dogs Onboard
Now for the real test. Called Max and Lucy over. Max, being the curious one, sniffed it immediately. I pushed the paddle gently with my finger, water came out, and he got the idea pretty quick, giving it a tentative lick, then pushing it himself. Lucy took a bit more convincing. I had to put a dab of peanut butter on the paddle (don't judge!), but once she pushed it and got water, she figured it out too.
Final Thoughts
It's been a few days now, and honestly, it's great. They mostly use the new waterer. I still keep a small bowl out sometimes, just out of habit, but the main hydration station is the spigot thing. Less mess, less refilling for me. Took maybe an hour total, including the trip to the store. Definitely a worthwhile little project if you've got dogs spending time in the yard.
