How to Build a Dog Box for Sled Dogs

When you transport your sled dogs, you want to keep them safe from the weather elements and sudden traffic stops, prevent them from escaping out of the back of your truck and keep them from unwanted interactions with one another. So, build your dogs separate dog boxes for maximum comfort while traveling.

Things You'll Need

  • 1/2-inch or 3/4-inch plywood
  • 1-inch x 3-inch pine strapping
  • High gloss or semi-gloss paint
  • Welded steel mesh, expanded metal or galvanized fencing
  • 1 ¼-inch deck screws
  • Screwdriver
  • 22-inch stainless steel piano hinge (cut from a 4-foot hinge)
  • 1 stainless steel hasp latch
  • 1 stainless steel padlock
  • 4 bolts, grade 8
  • Bedding material
  • Circular saw
  • 4 1/2" angle grinder with metal cutting disc
  • Ruler or measuring tape
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Instructions

  1. Build the Dog Box

    • 1

      Based on a sled dog measuring 24 to 25-inches at the shoulder and weighing 70 to 80 pounds, saw out four pieces of plywood 32-inches long x 24-inches high for the top, bottom, front and back of the box, according to the September 2007 issue of "Fan Hitch";Building a Sled Dog Box, Part 1 by Mark Hamilton, available on the Journal of the Inuit Sled Dog International website. Then cut two additional pieces, 20-inches wide x 24-inches high, for the two sides.

    • 2

      Saw out a 12-inch long x 5-inch high rectangular opening on each side for window vents. Cut one opening in the front piece for a door, 22-inches high and 10-inches wide, says Hamilton. Cut a second door if desired. Save the leftover plywood from the door cutouts.

    • 3

      Cut the steel mesh vents for the windows measuring 1-inch larger than the cutout windows in the plywood. Use a 4 1/2" angle grinder with a metal cutting disc, says Hamilton. Saw a frame for each window from another piece of plywood. Cover each window with one piece of steel mesh, on the side that will face inside the box once you assemble it, and screw the frames around the edges of the mesh to keep your dog from hurting itself during travel.

    • 4

      Connect the front, back, sides and bottom of the dog box by screwing the 1-inch x 3-inch pine strapping into the inside corners . Reinforce the outside joints (edges where the wood comes together to form corners) with the strapping, as well.

    • 5

      Build each door, using the leftover plywood from the hole you cut back in Step 2. Saw an 8-inch high x 5-inch wide center out of the plywood to form a frame, according to Part 2 of the Hamilton article. Cut a piece of steel mesh, 1-inch larger than the hole you just cut, and attach it to the back. Screw the strapping around the edges of the screen to cover them. Hinge the left side of the door to the box, using the 22-inch piano hinge. Add the hasp latch to the other side of the door. Padlock the door once your dog is inside.

    • 6

      Screw on the roof.

    • 7

      Paint the wood using high-gloss or semi-gloss paint for added durability and decoration.

    • 8

      Add bedding material for comfort.

    • 9

      Attach one grade 8 bolt to each side of the bottom of the box and drill corresponding holes into the bed of the truck to secure the box to your pick-up.