In the Dog House: Tips for the Beginner

Building a dog house is an easy project that practically anyone can do. With a sheet of plywood, some pine 2x4s, a hammer, and nails, you can construct a professional-looking dog house. All of the materials you need to construct a dog house can be found at your local hardwood store and many supplies may be lurking around in your garage or storage shed. Here are the supplies you will need to construct a dog house:

· 1 piece - 4'x8' Exterior Grade Plywood Sheathing (5/8" thick)
· 2 piece - 2"x4"x8' Pressure Treated
· 1 piece - 2"x2"x8' Untreated
· 1 Box - 16d nails
· 1 Box - 1-5/8" Galvanized Deck Screws
· 1 Quart - Exterior Grade Paint

The tools you need to construct a dog house include:

· Tape measure
· Circular saw or table saw
· Drill - with drill bit and screw driver bit
· Spade Bit (3/4" or larger)
· Hammer
· Paint Brush
· Pencil or pen
· Safety Glasses
· Carpenters Square

As you begin construction on your dog house, keep in mind some of the following:

· Never use pretreated wood on an area in which you think your dog will chew. Pretreated wood contains harmful toxins.

· You should always elevate the dog house from the ground to keep moisture from seeping into the dog house. If the dog house is elevated, the temperature will stay regulated as it will provide better insulation on the floor.

· The size of the dog house will depend upon the size of your dog. The standard rule of thumb is that a dog house should only be large enough for the dog to turn around in comfortably, so it will retain the body heat from the dog.

· Once you have completed the dog house, check for nails that may be sticking out. Your dog could easily scratch themselves on a nail and get an infection.

· Check for slivers and be sure to sand the entrance to the dog house.

· Use cedar wood chips instead of a blanket for bedding. The cedar wood chips not only keep the dog house smelling fresh, they store the heat from your dog's body and keep him warmer on those cold winter nights.

Find some dog house plans to follow as you begin construction of your dog house. Start by cutting all the wood parts to the specifications listed in the dog house plans. Use your carpenters square to ensure you are getting straight perpendicular lines. You should use the pencil to label each part so it is easier to identify as you build the house.

Start construction on the base first. Once you have completed the base, you can move onto the floor of the dog house. After the floor is done, frame the walls, allowing enough room for the door. If you have an A-frame dog house, you will need to build the struts, ridge boards, and rafters. If you have a sloped roof, you can install the walls to the dog house and then install the roof. Most sloped roofs have hinges so you can open the roof for easier cleaning.

Once the roof is in place, you will shingle it. Most dog houses are shingled with asphalt shingles or cedar shingles, the choice is up to you. After you shingle the dog house, you should paint it with a nice weatherproof paint to keep it looking new and clean. If you live in a colder climate, you should install a plastic dog door. A plastic dog door can be purchased for around $30.

Price: dog house, build a dog house, tips to build a dog house, roof, construct a dog house, shingles

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