How to Build a Dog House for a Lab

Every outside dog deserves a place to call home. Labradors aren't fully grown until 14 months and can become quite large. They will need a sizable house to keep them dry on rainy days, for shade when the weather is hot and a quiet place to take a nap when they're feeling lazy.

Things You'll Need

  • Post hole diggers
  • Four 5-foot 4-by-4 wooden posts
  • Four large sheets of 1/2-inch-thick plywood
  • Table saw
  • Wood glue
  • Hammer and nails
  • Wood paint and finish
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Instructions

    • 1

      Plot out a 4-foot square on your lawn where you would like to erect the dog house. Dig four 1-foot-deep post holes at the corners of the square. Plant the wooden posts securely into the holes.

    • 2

      Cut two 4-foot square slabs of plywood for the left and right sides of the house. Adhere the sides of the house to the posts with wood glue and nails.

    • 3

      Cut two pentagonal plywood slabs for the front and back of the house. They must be shaped and sized identically to the 4-foot squares, except with an additional equilateral triangle atop to accommodate the slanted roof.

    • 4

      Cut a U-shaped hole at least 2 feet tall into the front wall of the house. Adhere the front and back walls to the posts with wood glue and nails.

    • 5

      Measure out and cut two slabs of roofing that will protrude over the sides of the house at least 2 inches to carry off rainwater. Adhere the roofing with wood glue and nails.

    • 6

      Paint and finish the entire house to weatherproof.