How to Build a Cedar Dog House

Pet owners who want to build a cedar dog house have a great spring or summer project that kids will enjoy. Dog houses in the backyard can be ornamental or they can be practical. A standard square cedar dog house is easy to build. Seal the cedar when done to protect the wood and keep the dog house in great shape. The following instructions are for a medium-sized dog.

Things You'll Need

  • Eight cedar 2-by-4s cut to 36 inches long Three cedar 4-by-4s cut to 48 inches long 1 box of wood screws or wood nails 2 sections of cedar plywood cut to 40 by 48 2 sections of cedar plywood cut to 36 by 48 1 section of cedar plywood cut to 40 by 36 1 section of cedar plywood cut to 40 by 36 with a 12-by-18 hole cut in the horizontal center, 6 inches up from the bottom Saw Drill Screwdriver or hammer Warm blanket
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Instructions

    • 1

      Make the frame by screwing or nailing the 36-inch 2-by-4s together. Place two 2-by-4s parallel to one another, then cap them by placing the other two 2-by-4s perpendicular to the first two. Designate which pair is to be the top and bottom then fasten top/bottom into the ends of the two wall sections with two screws or nails per end. When you are done, you should have two squares that are 40 inches tall and 36 inches across, give or take a 1/2 inch.

    • 2

      Connect the two framing squares with the 48-inch 4-by-4 sections by laying them inside the framing squares on both sides of the bottom, with one in the middle, and then applying screws or nails through the framing square wood into the 4-by-4 section. When you're done, the framing squares should be standing upright, fastened to either end of the 4-by-4 sections, and the three 4-by-4 sections should be inside the framing squares (not resting on the ground, but resting on top of a 2-by-4 at either end of each 4-by-4) with one 4-by-4 section on the left, one on the right and one in the middle.

    • 3

      Use the saw to notch the corners of the floor section of plywood so that it will fit INSIDE the framing squares, on top of the 4-by-4 base. This means you will have to cut an approximately 2-by-4 inch notch out of each corner of the floor section of plywood. Notch them going the same direction as the frame. Once the floor is notched, place it inside the framing squares, down on the floor braces, and secure to the braces using screws or nails.

    • 4

      Attach the sides, back and front pieces of plywood to the outside of the doghouse using nails/screws.

    • 5

      Cut a sufficient hole (18 inches in height for medium-sized dogs) into the front of the doghouse to allow your dog entry, and then paint the house to taste and put dog's name over the door.

    • 6

      Place the warm blanket inside the doghouse.