If you have been thinking about building a dog house, researching and having plans to follow will be very helpful. This project is not that difficult, and can usually be completed in just one weekend for most do-it-yourself ers. By building it yourself you will be able to modify and customize it the way you like.
Providing a house for your dog will protect him from the rain, wind, and cold temperatures, however if temperatures get extremely cold it is recommended you provide a place with moderate temperatures, such as indoors or garage.
When you build or buy a dog house, make sure you get one that will accommodate your pet comfortably. Make sure it is big enough for the dog to turn and lay down comfortably. Also be aware if it is to big, body heat will be lost during cold weather. One way to get an idea of the size you will need is by measuring the dogs width and length.
Basic Steps to build a Dog House
1. Begin by building the foundation. Assemble the foundation frame. The foundation base can be built with 2×4 pressure treated lumber. Next cut a piece of plywood the size of the frame, nail or screw two inch nails or screws through the plywood and into the frame.
2. Assemble and screw the side wall frames into the floor. The wall frame can be constructed with 2×2 lumber. Measure and cut top and bottom plates for both sides. Cut the wall studs, cut as many studs needed, and place about 16” apart. Nail or screw through the top and bottom plates and into the wall studs. Next cut and assemble the front and back wall frames, position between the side wall, nail or screw into the floor.
3. Measure and cut the plywood siding and nail or screw into the wall studs. Cut the door on the front siding. The door size will be determined by the size of your dog.
4. The roof frame can be built using 2×2 lumber. Cut a 2×2 ridge and the rafters. Screw the rafters into the wall top plates and the ridge. Next cut out plywood for the roof top. The plywood should exceed the frame at least three inches to give it an overhang.
5. You can install trim to give it a nicer appearance. Shingle the roof decking. Sand rough areas around the door. Paint or stain to complete the dog house.
There are many different type of dog house designs. The two most common and easiest to build are the gable roof and the sloped roof. The sloped roof will give your dog an area on top of the roof to lay. If the roof will be used to lay on, use plywood for the roof, you will not want to shingle, shingles tend to get extremely hot during the summer.
You can find free dog house plans by searching the net. You will notice that there are many different ways to build them. For best results, it is a good to research and have plans to follow when building it yourself.
