How to Build a Dog House


Every dog owner loves to keep their pooch as comfortable as possible. Here is how you can build your dog a house suited just for them. This is a house built with love for the pet you love most.

Step 1

Measure your dog’s length and height. The height of your dog’s new house should be 12 inches longer than your dog, 9 inches taller in the front of the house and 3 inches taller than your dog at the sloping back of the house.

Step 2

Now that you have calculated the size of the dog house, construct the base of the dog house. Cut the measured wood from treated 2×4 boards. Place the ends of the house together. Secure the pieces of wood with rust resistant screw. Cut a ¾ inch panel of plywood for the base. Secure it with rust resistant screws.

Step 3

Make sure the dog house has identical angled sides to ensure rain doesn’t ruin the structure. To ensure the sides are identical, stick the two boards together with double sided tape. Then, use a straight edge to the boards and mark the angle. Use a saber saw to cut. Secure the pieces together with rust resistant screws.

Step 4

Brace the structure. This weather proofs the house, prevents drafts and racking. Apply a brace to every corner of the house. Each brace is made of two plywood strips that have been screwed together. Attach them to the sides of both the back and front panels of the house using rust resistant screws.

Step 5

Install a partition in your dog house. This helps to keep the weather outside of the house and also makes a space small enough for small pups’ body heat to warm them. Make sure the partition is secure to the base of the structure and install an angled plywood panel.

Step 6

Insulation is important. It keeps the dog house warm in the cold months and cool in the warm months. Use 1 ½ inch thick foam for insulation. Cut the foam to fit and cover it with ¼ inch think plywood.

Step 7

Use your dog to mark the door. Mark a notch several inches above its back. Make the width of the door as wide as your dog is plus 3 inches. Mark the place. Use a saber saw to cut out the space. Sand the edges of the wood smooth and secure the front to the corner braces.

Step 8

Make the roof lightly oversize to aid in rain runoff. Secure the back edge with weather resistant piano hinges to make cleaning it easy. Cover the roof with tar paper and install a metal drip edge around the perimeter of the house. Apply asphalt shingles. They are water proof. Add roofing cement to the top perimeter to lock water out.

Filed Under: Home & Maintenance

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About the Author: Jason Prickett loves to write about home maintenance and stuff you can do yourself instead of hiring any professional. His step by step guides will assist you in completing your home maintenance tasks.

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