How to Make Homemade Dog Kennels

You can build dog kennels with wood posts and field wire or a chain link fence. The materials and size of the fence depend on your preference and the types of dogs that will be fenced in. It should be large enough to give the dogs plenty of room to exercise and move around. Ten feet wide and 15 to 20 feet high should be sufficient for most dogs. Some outdoor kennels are left open on the top with individual dog houses inside to protect the dogs. You can also cover them with a large tarpaulin for additional protection.

Things You'll Need

  • Stakes
  • String
  • Spray paint
  • Wood posts
  • Boards
  • Nails
  • Fence wire
  • Fence staples
  • Gate
  • Tarpaulin (optional)
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Instructions

    • 1

      Drive a stake into the ground at each corner of the kennel area. Attach a string to one stake and run the string around the perimeter from stake to stake.

    • 2

      Mark lines on the ground for the corners and the placement of the gate with spray paint. Then spray a line following the string guideline. Remove the string and the stakes.

    • 3

      Drive the posts into the ground at the post marks, planting them securely.

    • 4

      Place boards along the top edge of the posts. Nail them from post to post. These boards help to brace the fencing wire.

    • 5

      Attach one end of the wire to one gate post using the fence staples. Roll out the wire and place it around the perimeter of the kennel, stapling it to each post. Five or six staples should be sufficient for each one. Pull as much slack out of the wire as you can when unrolling and attaching the wire. Attach the end of the wire to the other gate post.

    • 6

      Attach boards to the bottom of the fence going from post to post. These boards should rest solidly on the ground.

    • 7

      Attach the gate hardware to one gate post and hang the gate. Partially bury a section of a post in the ground directly under the gate to prevent the dogs from digging out.

      Drape a large tarpaulin over the top of the kennel, securing it at each corner and in the center of each side, if desired. Attach the tarpaulin to the posts and boards with staples.