How to Build a Canopy for a Dog Kennel

Dogs love to be outside, yet they still need to have adequate shade to protect them from overheating and getting dehydrated on hot summer days. If you are not concerned about rain or snow falling, you may want to construct a simple canopy over your dog's kennel. Canopies are made of canvas or other breathable materials, providing shade while maximizing the air circulation in the kennel. Making a canopy requires materials found at a local hardware or home improvement store and basic carpentry skills.

Things You'll Need

  • Large canvas
  • Flex pipe
  • Tent stakes
  • Heavy duty nylon cord
  • Fabric glue
  • Scissors
  • Measuring tape
  • Fabric pencil
  • Hammer
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Instructions

    • 1

      Measure the area over your dog kennel you wish to cover with a canopy. Some prefer to cover the entire kennel while others create a shaded area so the dog can retreat when it gets too hot.

    • 2

      Measure the canvas to meet the area you are covering then add an extra 1 to 2 feet of canvas making it wider than the actual kennel area you are covering.

    • 3

      Cut the canvas to the size measured in Step 2. This should include the size of the kennel area covered plus the extra width to accommodate the dome.

    • 4

      Cut the two flex rods to be the same length of the canvas.

    • 5

      Lay the canvas on the ground. Place flex rods at the top and the bottom of the canvas so they are parallel to each other and 2 inches from the edges of the canvas width.

    • 6

      Apply fabric glue to the outer edge of the canvas, following the line of the flex rod. Roll the fabric over the flex rod. Press the fabric together firmly and give it 10 minutes to dry. (You may want to lay several bricks on the seam to add weight making the seam tighter.)

    • 7

      Cut a hole in the canvas at each corner just inside of the flex rod. Apply fabric glue around the hole and allow it to dry to prevent fraying.

    • 8

      Cut four nylon cords of equal length. The length is determined by measuring the height of the kennel and adding 2 feet to each cord. So if your kennel is 5 feet high, cut four cords 7 feet long.

    • 9

      Thread each cord through the holes you cut in Step 7. Each hole should have its own cord. Knot the cord so that it is secured to the canvas.

    • 10

      Lay the canvas on top of the kennel with the cords hanging along the fencing of the kennel. Thread and wrap each cord through the chain link below the canopy. Pull the cords taught so that the width of the canopy shortens into a dome to match the width of the kennel. This happens as you pull more tension in the cords.

    • 11

      Thread the ends of each cord into a tent stake and drive this into the ground with a hammer, making sure there is enough tension to keep the dome rounded over the kennel.