How to Build a Simple Dog House

Many dog lovers make the mistake of building lavish dog palaces, equipped with insulation, tons of room and heating systems, only to find their canines camping outdoors on snow-covered ground. This problem presents because man's best friend knows his own needs and can keep himself warm. While dog lovers want the best for their pets, dogs really only want simple houses made from wood and plastic. Dogs can take care of keeping themselves warm; they have natural insulation all over their bodie, but appreciate a dry place in wet weather and a shaded location on hot days. You can easily construct a simple dog house for your canine in only a matter of hours, using simple, inexpensive materials.

Things You'll Need

  • Tape measure
  • Two 1/2-inch thick plywood sheets
  • Pencil
  • Carpenter's square
  • Miter saw
  • 2 by 2 inch by 8-foot board
  • 1 1/2-inch long wood screws
  • Electric or battery-powered screwdriver or drill
  • Jig saw
  • Shingles or tin
  • 3/4-inch nails
  • Hammer
  • Exterior wood paint
  • Paintbrush
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Instructions

    • 1

      Measure your dog to custom build the best house for your pet. Each dog should have its own custom-sized house that allows him to lie down comfortably and offers a snug, small space for security and conservation of the dog's body heat. To simplify this article, the instructions included explain how to build a house for a dog that is 15-inches tall and 24-inches long, though you can use the directions in the tips section to custom-size a house for a different sized dog.

    • 2

      Cut the front, back, two sides and roof pieces for the dog house from the two plywood sheets. Use the pencil and carpenter's square to ensure squared corners and the miter saw to perform all cuts. You will require two pieces measuring 42 by 24 inches, two pieces measuring 36 by 24 inches and a roof piece measuring slightly larger than the top of the dog house at 45 by 39 inches.

    • 3

      Cut the 2 by 2 pieces into four sections that each measure 24 inches. These pieces will set into the corners of the dog house to hold it together.

    • 4

      Lay both 42 by 24-inch pieces down, flat on your floor or work surface and attach the four 2-by-2 pieces from the previous step onto the ends of each plywood piece. Set the 2-by-2 pieces into place parallel against the ends of the 24-inch sides of the plywood pieces. Flip the pieces over and drive the wood screws down through the plywood pieces and into the 2-by-2 pieces approximately every 2 inches.

    • 5

      Have assistants hold up the two pieces from the previous step so the 24 inch stands vertical. Hold the pieces approximately 36 inches apart and set the two 36 by 24 inch pieces into place to construct an open-ended box. Drive wood screws into the 36-inch piece and into the 2-by-2 pieces, staggering the screws from their position in the previous step to avoid driving screws into screws.

    • 6

      Choose one 36 by 24-inch end to serve as the front of the dog house and use a jig saw to cut a square door hole opening that measures 3 inches wider and taller than your dog's width. This provides your dog with enough room to get inside without allowing much draft into the house.

    • 7

      Set the roof piece of plywood into place on the top of the dog house. Align the piece so that 1 1/2 inches of the plywood roof overhangs on all edges of the house. To attach this piece, you will drive the wood screws down through this top piece and into the 1/2-inch edges of the plywood pieces that make up the front, back and sides of the dog house.

    • 8

      Apply shingles or tin to the roof of the dog house as desired, using 3/4-inch nails. Paint, stain or apply siding to the dog house exterior as necessary. Remember to use exterior wood paint for a more durable paint job.