How to Make a Dog House

We all want the best for our dogs, to this end we invest in nutritious dog food, regular trips to the vet, and even to grooming shops. All dogs could do with a little time outdoors though, particularly larger breeds that need room to move. If you have a large lot and you want to have your dog spend days and even some nights there, then you should definitely invest in a good doghouse.

If you are of the do-it-yourself persuasion and you think the available ready-made dog houses are overpriced or simply not good enough; then why not build your dog a house? In fact, even if you aren’t a do-it-yourselfer, wouldn’t it be great if you could build your dog a house? Nobody knows your dog like you do, and nobody but you will be able to build a house that will do your dog justice.

Building a dog house is not that difficult a do-it-yourself project, as such projects go. In fact if you feel really insecure about your abilities, there are actually DIY kits available. These are made of wood, PVC, or plastic, they are pretty easy to bolt together, and can be assembled in a few minutes with few or no tools at all. However, if you want your doghouse to be a real labor of love, then you’ll build your dog a house from scratch.

If you do plan to build a dog house from scratch, here are some tips to remember:

1. Make sure the dog house you are planning is big enough for your dog. Measure your dog before you even draw up your plans.

2. As with any construction project, you need to start out with a plan, there are a lot of guides you can download online, you can also ask a carpenter or a friend who may have built one.

3. Make sure the house is made of non-toxic materials, particularly if you are building for a puppy. Avoid using nails, a dog house is exposed to the elements, and over time, it will show signs of wear and tear, when the time comes, you don’t want any exposed rusty nails.

4. The roof should be watertight, but it should also be removable, so the house can be easily cleaned. You may want to put in “windows” for ventilation.

5. Light colors are better because they will help keep the house cool on hot days.

Put a lot of thought into the aesthetic aspects of your doghouse; try to inject a bit of your dog’s personality and of course a bit of your own into it. When you are finished you will have a lasting testament to how much you love your dog.

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