Learning from books can be difficult as the information can easily be outdate in the matter of months of it being published.

I myself in all my life have never heard any of the expresions you just mentioned right now, I don't think it's something to worry about too much as no one will ever use it, and your probably shouldn't either because people might look at you like o.O
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That's just my opinion on this, I'm sure someone else will probably have heard it and can give you a more detailed answer.

First, the English is perfect.

In my opinion, in the doghouse means to be in trouble. I wouldn't say that it means "to lose face" as this implies that the person is ashamed or embarrassed. Rather, "in the doghouse" means that you have done something to that angers or upsets another person and that person is now mad at you. It is used quite often, especially between two people in a romantic relationship. For example, if a husband comes home late one night without calling his wife, he may be in the doghouse and have to sleep on the couch that night.

I agree with Aaleen. Trying to learn all these expressions to say things you already know to say in a more straight forward manner makes it easier for everyone, especially those who have not heard of the expressions you are using.

I vaguely recall "in the doghouse" so I can't even say that I've really heard of it. But, I've heard of "up the creek without a paddle".

Maybe "In the dog house" is mainly an American expression; I don't know. But, I agree with how Jenn phrased it. It's typically a casual expression, though.

You could use either, or you could use "First off, "

To give you a more realistic view of the English speaking world:

People do not use expression all the time, I notice many people learning English tend to be heavly interested in expressions, but the truth is you will not be using them that often, or hearing them as often. They have become more to only be used in a joking manner, probably the older generation is the only one that might use them in a serious tone, but even the the younger generations don't take them seriously.

It's best to just speak with which is comfortable to you, don't try to use expressions if you don't feel comfortable with them, the only other place they may come in use is when you're watching TV, or reading a magazine as they are used to make a lot of jokes, many expressions are used.

Usually you're "in the doghouse" with somone or something specific.
"He came home drunk last night so he's in the doghouse.
(In trouble with his wife)
He went to work drunk so he's in the doghouse. (At work)

There's a similar phrase that is more slang.
I wouldn't use it for business.
It's "One ____'s shitlist."

He came home drunk last night, now he's on his wife's shitlist.
He went to work drunk so he's on his boss's shitlist.

Shit is slang for feces (糞便?)
Being in "shit" means being in trouble or an undesirable situation.

Being in the doghouse is not necessarily embarrassing (which is what "lose face" translates to. to be honest, "losing face" does not exist in America to non-asians).

Typically, someone puts you in the doghouse. Whereas you can be up the creek without a paddle all by yourself.

Illustrations
Coming home late to an angry wife. She puts you in the doghouse. Hence you are in the doghouse with your wife. Strangely, "with" does not mean that you are both in the doghouse. Here it indicates whoever is upset with you.

Running out of gas because you can't find a gas station. You are up the creek without a paddle. It's not really anybody's fault, no one is upset at you, but you are still in trouble (or a predicament).

Up the creek without a paddle because you got tired and threw the paddle overboard. Now you will be in the doghouse with whoever is in the canoe with you.

In the Dog house refers to a party of two people. Usually some one close to you like your wife or your friends. For example this situation.


"Hey did you hear, recently Jason got himself in the doghouse.. "
"What why, what happened."

"Apparently, he was caught at the football game with some other girl, Jason said she was just an old friend from middle school, but Monika won't listen to him right now. So he's really down on him self."

"Man that's got to rough"

In that example, because of the fact Monika won't listen to him it puts Jason in a bad predicament with his girlfriend. Usually, "In the dog house" is only used under these type of conditions.
__________________________
"Up the creek with out a paddle" is usually only associated with the main person. "

Example: (A) "Dude, I totally forgot about studying for the big exam and it's this evening."
(B:) "Man your up the creek with a paddle then aren't you?"

In this example person (A) is in a bad situation because he hasn't studied for his test. And it's useless for him to try studying at the last minute. (Hopeless situation")しょうがないことです。

Person B: Is simply implying that he is stuck in a predicament with out an way out. By saying "Your up the creek with out a paddle" .

I hope my examples help you. ^^ Have a wonderful evening Sand-san.

"Yo dawg i heard you and yo dog like yo yo's so we put yo dog in a yo yo so you can yo yo yo dog while yo dog yo yo's, dawg."

http://knowyourmeme.com/i/179/original/PRn7VIafuhc60f6moPwXp38Co1_500.jpg

意訳：
ほら、あんたと犬はヨーヨーがすきと聞いたから、あんたの犬をヨーヨーの中に置いたから、犬がヨーヨーしている間は犬をヨーヨーできる。

Yo = hey/your

この冗談は紛らわしいですか？^^

In the doghouse more implies that you are in trouble, that you have done something wrong and will be severely punished.

For example:

Worker 1:"Hey Jim, I stole the boss's lunch from the company refrigerator."
Jim: "Ooooh! Your in the doghouse now!"

Similarly in the doghouse can mean "Your gonna get it now" and it would have to be the wrath of whatever person you offended.

Hmm, I don't think I have ever heard about this expression. Maybe it's a strictly business-use word? ^^

Well, I surely wouldn't like to be in a doghouse, especially if it were a bulldog's house D:

It sounds like the origin of the expression is that
a man is in trouble with his wife and she won't let
him in the house so he has to sleep in the doghouse
to keep out of the weather.

Here's a song called "Move It On Over" by Hank Williams Sr.
about a man who's in the doghouse after coming home late.

Hi Sand,

The expression, "in the doghouse" means that you caused some trouble and someone is angry with you and punishing you as a result. The expression originates from people keeping a small house for their dog in the back yard. The idea was that if you made your wife angry (typically for drinking, staying out late, or being with another woman) she would kick you out of the house. Then you would have to sleep in the house in the back yard with the dog.

http://musiccelebrations.blogsome.com/images/doghouse.jpg

The expression, "up the creek without a paddle," means that you are in trouble, you can't do anything about it, and that things are just going to get worse. The idea is that you are in a canoe on a river, but that you have lost your paddle. So the boat is moving downstream out of control. In this case, you will be getting more and more lost, or farther from help and you can't steer the boat.

I don't think either one means "to lose face." Hope that helps!

> Aaleen,

Unfortunately I'm not a young girl. haha. I'm using English mostly at work. So even if it's something young people don't care about, as long as adult people use it, I need to know it. There are a lot of old people in business. (^o^)
Thank you for your comment!

> Jenn,

"In the doghouse" doesn't mean "to lose face." I see.
Thank you for your explanation!

> madao,

Yes, probably I might not use such kinds of expressions. But I need to understand when someone say it (^^;)
Thank you for your comment!

> havarlan,

"First off." It's a new idiom for me.
Thank you for your correction and explanation!

> EroOyaji,

"In the doghouse with someone/something." I see. The expression of "shitlist" is interesting.
Thank you for your explanation and the music which fits the topic!

> 王っさん,

Oh, the meaning of "in the doghouse" is different from "up the creek without a paddle." I see. I understand well.
Thank you for your correction and explanation!

> 罪なバラ,

Wow! Your example sentences and those situations are easy to understand.
Thank you for your explanation!

> Tip,

Haha! I didn't understand the sentence without reading your translation.
Thank you for the funny joke!

> デレック,

"get it now" is a new idiom for me.
Thank you for your corrections, explanation and easy-to-understand example!

> Kame Sennin,

Yes, I found this phrase in my business English textbook. Bulldog... scary! (^o^)
Thank you for your comment!

> agentchuck,

Relying on just a dictionary and textbook is dangerous isn't it? None of them explains such difference. (^^;) It was good that I asked about them here.
Thank you for your explanation!

I thought both of them had the same meaning until I read the explanation in other peoples' comments. What I understood upon reading them is that they both implied "you are in trouble now". Honestly, you don't need to learn a lot of these expressions. Once you've heard a couple expressions in English you've heard them all. Also, anyone who tries doing business with people in other countries should be smart enough to know not to use archaic expressions in business meetings. In the event that you can't understand something, it would be reasonable to say "Sorry, I didn't quite catch what you meant by that expression."

Shin,

Thank you for your advice. What you are saying is right, but business field isn't so easy and simple... (><) haha. That's why I'm struggling with English. (^^;)
Oh, "In the first place" sounds better. I see.
Thank you for your corrections and comment!