A Step by Step Guide to Building A Doghouse

Providing a nice dog house is a great way to protect your dog from the elements. There are several options available for building a dog house. If you would like to build a standard dog house, here is a step by step guide to build a dog house.

Step # 1 - Determine the style of dog house you would like to construct. There are A-frame dog houses, slanted dog houses, two-room dog houses, and others.

Step # 2- Get your dog's measurements. Take the length of your dog and add one foot; this is the smallest width your house should be. Then add 1 ½' to the length of your dog, this is the smallest length of your house. Now, add the height of your dog plus 9 inches, this is the shortest height of your dog house. The door will also be determined by the width and height of your dog. A standard door size is 2'x2' for a larger dog and 1'x1' for a smaller dog. A good dog house should be large enough for your dog to turn around in, but small enough to keep him warm.

Step # 3 - You need to pre-cut all the timber skids, studs, rafters, and flooring to the lengths stated in your plans. Having the materials pre-cut will save you a lot of time in the construction process.

Step # 4 - Start construction on the floor frame of the dog house first.

Step # 5 - Once you have constructed the floor frame; you can nail the piece of floor plywood to it and nail the wall frames to the floor. Be sure to leave room for the doorway when you construct the frame.

Step # 6 - Attach the plywood walls to the sides of the wall frames. If you are insulating the dog house, you will need to attach the plywood to the interior wall too.

Step # 7 - Attach the struts, ridge boards, and rafters. A typically roof height is about a 45 degree angle. Center the roof front strut on the top edge of the wall frame and nail it into place from the underside of the frame. Follow the same procedure for the back strut.

Step # 8 - Place the plywood roofing boards in place. The roofing boards will be attached to the rafters, begin by attaching the lowest board first. The roof boards should overhang each end of the kennel to allow for water to drop off the roof and not get the dog wet.

Step # 9 - Shingle the completed roof. You have two options to choose from when you shingle, you can do a double thickness shingle in which the first row of shingles is turned upside down so it hangs over the edge. Then, you shingle over this row and use a shingle utility knife to cut off the hanging parts. Place shingles sideways over the ridge board to cover it and give it protection from the weather. The second option you have is to shingle the roof with tar paper and regular shingles. You want to overlap the shingles so they will gain adequate protection from the rain and snow.

Step # 10 - Paint the dog house with a waterproof paint to protect it from the elements. Sand the door frame and corners so you and your dog won't get slivers. Look for any nails that have poked through the wood and bend them over. Cover the nail with caulk so your dog doesn't stab himself when he is in the dog house. If you plan on leaving your dog out in the winter, you should consider installing a light bulb to give them some heat.

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