How to Build a Simple Dog Kennel

If having your dog permanently living in your home is a concept not ideal to you, then it would be worth building a doghouse. There are a range of different designs to go for, but some may leave your head spinning as to how you could possibly put them together. In reality, all that is required is a sturdy and safe shelter for your dog to reside in.

Things You'll Need

  • Three 4.7 inch pieces of pressure treated timber, 2 by 2 inches
  • Eight 2 1/2 foot pieces of pressure treated timber, 6 by 3/4 inch
  • Four 2 1/2 foot pieces of untreated timber, 2 by 2 inches
  • Eight 14 inch pieces of untreated timber, 2 by 2 inches
  • Two 3 foot, 7 inch pieces of untreated timber, 2 by 2 inches
  • Two sheets of 3/8 inch thick plywood, 47 by 20 inches
  • Two sheets of 3/8 inch thick plywood, 31.5 by 35.5 inches
  • Six 1 foot, 10 inch long pieces of untreated timber, 2 by 2 inches
  • 10 5 foot pieces of pressure treated timber, 6 by 3/4 inches
  • A box of 2 inch galvanized flathead nails
  • Hammer
  • Circular saw
  • Hose
  • Paint of your choice
  • Paintbrush
  • Tape measure
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Instructions

  1. The Wood

    • 1

      Purchase from an appropriate store all the different types of wood necessary.

    • 2

      Use a circular saw to cut the wood into the necessary measurements listed.

    • 3

      After all the pieces have been cut accordingly, take one of the 31.5 by 35.5 inch sheets of plywood. Make a cut from the bottom of the sheet measuring 15.7 inches in height, 11.8 inches in width and with an arch in at the top. This will be the entrance.

    • 4

      Take the six 1 foot, 10 inch pieces of timber and make 45 degree cuts at both ends, with the cuts facing the same way. These will make up the rafters.

    Putting Together The Doghouse

    • 5

      Fix together, using the galvanized nails, the eight 2 1/2 foot pressurized pieces with the three 4.7 inch pressure treated timber. This will be the floor. The eight boards will make up the floor with the three posts acting as supporter. Have the posts going horizontally across the boards and evenly spaced out, with two at each side and one in the middle.

    • 6

      Nail together the front and back frames using the eight 14 inch untreated timber for vertical support and the four 2 1/2 foot untreated timber horizontally, bracketing the vertical wood. Make sure to leave enough room at one side to allow for an entrance. Once those frames are in place, fit them together using the two 3 foot, 7 inch pieces on top of each end. Then use the two 47 by 20 inch plywood sheets as wall panels and fix them to the frames using the flathead nails.

    • 7

      Put together the rafters. Space them out accordingly with two at each end and one in the middle. Fit them with the shorter side, after the 45 degree cut at both ends, facing inward. This way they should meet as a triangular at the highest point.

    • 8

      Begin to fit together the roofing boards with the rafters using the 10 5 foot pressure treated timber. Start at the lowest point and work your way up. The boards should be fixed in place so that they overlap each other to help prevent leaks from rainfall.

    • 9

      Clean out the doghouse using a hose. Once it is dry, paint the doghouse in a fashion desirable to you.