How to Build a Small Dog House

Building a dog house for your outdoor dog is not terribly difficult and can provide a shady place in the summertime and warm and dry sleeping quarters in the winter.

Things You'll Need

  • 2 X 2s or 2 X 4s for framing
  • 2 X 4s or a pallet for the base
  • 1/2 inch plywood for sides and roof
  • Nails or screws
  • Hammer or drill with screwdriver drill bit
  • Polyurethane or Paint
  • Tar paper
  • (Asphalt shingles)
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Instructions

  1. How to Build a Small Dog House

    • 1

      Design your dog house ahead of time so you know its dimensions and how much material you will need. Remember to design a base which is raised off the ground and (especially in colder climates) design an entry way to the doghouse which has one turn in it so that the door of the house does not open directly onto the sleeping quarters.

    • 2

      Build the base of your doghouse out of treated 4 X 4s laid edgewise so that the floor of the house is approximately 4 inches off the ground, with an airspace underneath. Lay a sheet of 1/2 plywood over the floor you have built. (alternatively, use a wooden pallet as a base for your dog house, leveling it and laying a sheet of 1/2 plywood over it as a floor for your dog's home.)

    • 3

      Frame your dog house using either 2 X 2s or 4X 4s. Make the back wall of your dog house at least 4 inches taller than the front wall so that your roof will slope forward for rain and/or snow runoff. If making an entry way be sure to frame for that as well using 2 X 2s and be certain that there is sufficient room between the end of the entry way and the back of your dog house for your dog to make the turn into the main sleeping quarters of the house.

    • 4

      Attach the 1/2 inch plywood walls to the outside of the framing studs you have put up, preferably using wood screws. Set the side pieces in place and mark the height of the back and the height of the front. Draw a line and cut the side pieces with the proper slope for the roof. If warranted, add another 1/2 inch plywood wall on the inside of the framing studs; insulation can be stuffed into the wall space if the house is to be used in cold climates.

    • 5

      Nail on the plywood for the roof. Alternatively attach the roof with hinges at the back so the roof may be raised later for easy cleaning. Paint all the exposed wood with polyurethane or house paint to protect it from the elements. Lay a piece of tar paper over the roof for added weather protection. Asphalt shingles can be added for even more protection if desired.