How to Build a Mini Dog House

If you like to leave your dog outside in your backyard, the first thing you'll need is a dog house. As a dog can face many risks if overexposed to the heat and sun, a dog house is essential protection for your pup. It isn't necessary to go and buy an expensive dog house when building your own is relatively simple. It can be customized and decorated to suit your dog's size and personality. A small dog will be more comfortable in a miniature dog house.

Things You'll Need

  • Hammer
  • Nails
  • 2- by 4-inch boards
  • 1/2-inch plywood sheets
  • Jigsaw
  • Shingles
  • Paint
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Instructions

  1. Building the Base

    • 1

      Determine the size you would like your dog house to be. If you have a smaller dog, you can build a mini dog house. Generally a dog house is sized so that a dog can stand and turn around inside comfortably.

    • 2

      Take your 2-by-4 boards and create a square base frame, nailing the boards together at the corners.

    • 3

      Take the 1/2-inch plywood sheet and fit it over your base frame, nailing them together.

    Building the Walls

    • 4

      Use your 2-by-4 boards to create four wall frames the same way you created the base frame.

    • 5

      Attach a center stud board to the side and rear walls for support. The front wall will have a doorway and thus does not need a stud.

    • 6

      Nail a 1/2-inch plywood sheet to the outside of each frame.

    • 7

      Use your jigsaw to cut out a doorway in the plywood to be used for the front wall before attaching to the frame.

    • 8

      Fit the walls on top of the base frame and nail together through the bottom of the base.

    Building the Roof

    • 9

      Use your 2-by-4 boards to create the struts, ridge board and rafters of the roof.

    • 10

      Cut two 2-by-4 boards to the appropriate length determined by the pitch of roof you desire. These are the struts.

    • 11

      Nail struts into the center of the front and rear wall frames, hammer in the nail from underneath.

    • 12

      Determine how much overhang you would like the roof to have and cut a 2-by-4 board to that length. This is the ridge board.

    • 13

      Place the ridge board on top of the struts and nail into place.

    • 14

      Cut six 2-by-4 boards into the right size for rafters. The appropriate size is determined by the pitch of roof you chose.

    • 15

      Nail the rafters into place, three on each side of the ridge board.

    • 16

      Place a 1/2-inch plywood sheet over top of the roof frame and nail into place.

    Finishing Touches

    • 17

      Shingle the roof for a more polished dog house look and in order to weather-proof the plywood top.

    • 18

      Paint the exterior, perhaps add a nameplate--personalize it for your pup.

    • 19

      Put a throw rug or dog bed inside to make it cozier.