If you’ve ever had an interest in woodworking, building a dog house is likely one of your top choices. It appears to be easy, doesn’t it? Furthermore, even if you make a mistake, your dog won’t ridicule you!
Thankfully, constructing a dog house can be a simple undertaking as long as you have the necessary knowledge and skills.
The Kind of Dog House You Want to Build
Inquiring about the construction of a dog house is quite ambiguous since there are nearly as many variations of dog shelters as there are standard homes. Therefore, the initial step is to determine the type of dog house you wish to construct.
Ready to discover everything there is to know about dog houses? Whether it’s an A-frame, an igloo, a house with a sun deck, or a simple box, there are some essential features that every dog house should include.
All About Dog Houses
By constructing a raised floor, you can provide a warmer and welcoming environment for your dog, as well as keep rainwater out and potentially deter bugs.
Ensure that your dog has ample space to unwind in her designated area. It is vital for your furry companion to have sufficient room to move around freely and stretch out without constraint.
When the weather deteriorates, your dog will instinctively seek refuge inside its shelter. It is important to ensure that there is sufficient protection from the elements such as wind and snow. A preferable option would be to construct a separate room that is situated away from the entrance.
To provide a comfortable interior for your dog, it is recommended to design the house in a way that resembles a cave that a dog would naturally prefer in the wild. Consequently, the ideal features include ceilings that hang low and walls that are approximately the same width as your dog’s body.
Choose an Entry Point: When designing, make certain that the opening is sufficiently spacious for your pet to enter without difficulty, but not so large that it allows too much warmth to escape. It may also be a good idea to install a door or a flap.
Understanding these fundamental principles enables you to construct any type of dog house that your mind can conceive.
The Planning Stage
Prior to constructing a dog house, some strategic thinking is required. These are the primary considerations to ponder over:
Determining the appropriate size is crucial as it will help you calculate the amount of material to purchase. To arrive at this decision, it is necessary to measure your dog’s length from its nose to tail base while in a standing position, as well as from the top of its head to the ground while seated.
What material should be used depends on your budget and the durability required for your climate. You will most likely need to purchase both 2x4s and plywood.
Is insulation necessary? We advise insulating the house for the sake of your pet’s comfort, although it’s not crucial unless you’re in a particularly cold location. Keep in mind that insulating it will result in higher expenses and a longer construction period.
After getting a general idea of the type of dog house you plan to construct, begin outlining a design blueprint. Utilize your dog’s measurements to determine the size of the structure and keep in mind that the house requires a total of six panels- front, back, top, bottom, and two sides- at the very minimum.
By doing this planning, you will obtain all the necessary information to proceed to the hardware store.
There are two options for cutting the boards: either have them cut to your desired size at the location or use a chop saw at home. However, it is recommended to have the plywood cut there unless you have a well-equipped workshop at home.
1. Purchase the Necessary Wood, Screws, and Other Materials
Once you have finalized your plan, you should have a general notion of the supplies you must buy. These may comprise 2x4s, plywood, 3-inch screws, 1½-inch screws, roofing nails, and shingles.
The quantity of 2x4s, plywood sheets, screws, nails, and shingles needed for the assignment is dependent on the dimensions of the canine shelter.
When building the doghouse, it is important to consult the measurements in your plan to ensure that you have everything required. It is advisable to err on the side of caution and procure more supplies than needed instead of facing shortages during the construction process.
2. Measure and Cut
After establishing the dimensions of the doghouse, the next step is to begin constructing the foundation. Take two lengthy 2x4s and cut them to match the intended size of the doghouse.
Measure and cut three 2x4s that are shorter in length and equivalent to the intended width of the doghouse. The lengthy pieces are needed to build the base’s length, while the shorter ones will serve as the base’s width.
Position the 2x4s so that they are sitting flat on a 2-inch side, then line them up to create a rectangle by placing two short 2x4s opposite each other and the two long 2x4s opposite each other.
Insert the remaining shorter piece at the center to reinforce the middle of the floor.
Align the length and width pieces and fasten them by driving two 3-inch screws at all four corners with your drill. Additionally, bore through the center of each of the length pieces into both ends of the central width piece, fixing it with two 3-inch screws on each side.
3. Building the Base
Begin the construction process by creating the foundation of the house. This involves placing four planks in a square or rectangular shape and then covering them with a layer of plywood or a comparable material.
Keep in mind that it’s necessary to raise the floor above ground level. You have the option of creating an airspace between the ground and the floor, or using dual boards and stuffing the gap with insulation material.
In order to connect the boards, create two small holes at the end of each board with a drill, and then fasten them together with wood screws. Alternatively, you may use nails or angle brackets if that is your preference.
To create a comfortable resting place for your pup, the floor can be fixed using nails or screws and topped with bedding, carpets, or straw.
4. Install the Insulated Floor
Plywood will be utilized for the flooring of the doghouse. Take the dimensions and slice a piece of plywood to match the foundation frame. In case insulation is being added to the doghouse, trim the foam insulation board based on the floor joist’s size and fasten it to the plywood with outdoor adhesive that is resistant to weather.
Secure the plywood floor to the floor framing by placing it with the insulation-side facing down and using 1½-inch screws.
5. Construct the Framework
To proceed further, the process includes constructing the framework of the doghouse for the front, back and sides by measuring, cutting and building it. Four 2x4s can be measured and cut for the corner posts of the doghouse.
Verify the dimensions on your blueprint and slice those four 2x4s to match the height of the walls. In addition, you will require four further pieces of 2x4s that are equivalent to the measurements of the foundation.
Place the corner posts upright at each of the four corners and attach them to the base by means of two 3-inch screws drilled through each post. Use the remaining four 2x4s that correspond with the floor base to construct the rectangular roof base.
Fasten each corner post securely to the roof base. In case you are constructing a doghouse with a level roof, prepare a third shorter piece that can be fixed at the center of the roof base, just like the beam used to support the floor base.
If you intend to construct a gable roof with a slope, you must measure and trim six extra segments for the A-frame walls positioned at both ends of the roof and the central support that extends throughout the peak’s length.
Ensure that you have accurate measurements using the Pythagorean theorem formula provided, and proceed to slice two inclined 2×4 pieces for both the front and back of the doghouse.
Arrange the two pieces towards the front in a way that forms a triangular frame, utilizing the roof base as the triangle’s bottom. Fasten the pieces in the center and attach them to the roof base using 1½-inch screws. Duplicate this procedure to construct the back part of the doghouse.
To create a triangular support beam, measure and cut two 2x4s to fit the length of the roof peak. Secure the two pieces together with 3-inch screws drilled through the 4-inch side of one board and into the 2-inch side of the other.
To create a center support beam for the roof in a triangular shape, place the support beam at the top between the two triangular frames. Fix the support beam to the triangular frame with two 3-inch screws on each end.
6. Putting Up the Walls
Take the plywood that you plan to use for the walls and keep it aside. In order to construct an A-frame, it is necessary to triangularly cut the front and back panels at the apex, creating a foundation on which to mount the roof.
Secure your base by screwing the 2x4s onto it. Ensure that you place one on every corner and include at least one on each side and back in the middle. Moreover, attach 2x4s across the top in a manner that forms a flawless square. Also, add a board along the middle.
At this point, the fundamental structure of your dog house should be visible. To complete the walls, all you need to do is attach your plywood panels to the 2×4 studs that have just been installed.
Additionally, it is possible to attach both the front and back panels. Prior to joining the front panel with the frame, make sure to use a jigsaw to cut an entrance into it. Moreover, it might be necessary to include a stud that runs from the front panel to the back.
Installing the roof.
You have the option of selecting from different types of roofs, which range from plain wood to asphalt shingling. Although we’re using plain wood in this case, it’s recommended that you weather-treat your plywood or choose an alternative if you live in an excessively damp climate to prevent deterioration.
If the previous steps were executed correctly, the roof panels should fit perfectly over the current frame. Secure them with screws and the task will be complete.
Unless you have plans to paint the house or add any additional features such as heat pads to the interior, it’s not necessary. However, we suggest doing both.
8. Add Shingles to Prevent Leaks (Optional)
Although not essential, you may wish to enhance the longevity of your doghouse by incorporating roofing shingles onto the plywood roof. First, layer the roof with waterproof tar paper, then fasten the shingles to the plywood using roofing nails.
Be observant of the alignment of shingles to guarantee adequate overlap, preventing the infiltration of water through crevices or openings in the structure.
9. Prime and Paint (Optional)
Similar to shingles, a doghouse doesn’t necessarily need the application of primer and paint. However, incorporating both primer and a visually pleasing paint can enhance the appearance of the doghouse and provide a weather-resistant barrier over the wood, ultimately increasing the longevity of the doghouse.
An outdoor, weather-resistant adhesive can be used to attach supplementary insulation to the interiors of walls and roofs.
Safety Considerations
When your furry friend is outside, a doghouse’s purpose is to keep them cozy and protected, but if it’s constructed poorly, it can endanger their safety.
To avoid this, make sure to use high-quality building materials and meticulously plan the doghouse’s precise dimensions to ensure it remains stable during intense winds, heavy rainfall, or snowfall.
Bear in mind that it is not appropriate to leave your dog outside during harsh weather conditions.
To safeguard your canine from extreme summer heat, strong winds, and heavy downpour, it is recommended to place the doghouse in a shaded and protected area.
In addition, it is possible to apply insulation to the floor, walls, and ceiling to minimize heat transfer, resulting in warmer conditions for dogs during the winter and cooler conditions during the summer.
After building the new doghouse, be sure to inspect the interior thoroughly for any protruding nails or screws before allowing your dog to use it.
