How to Build a Customized Dog House

A store-bought dog house could cost you an arm and a leg and it might not even fit your dog properly. Building your own customized dog house doesn't take as much time as you would think, nor does it take nearly the amount of money that you will spend on a pre-made dog house. It will also keep you from ending up with a dog house that is way too big or way too small for your dog.

Things You Will Need to Build a Customized Dog House:
Pressure-treated two-by-fours
¾-inch plywood
¼-inch plywood
Table saw or circular saw
Rigid foam insulation
Weather-resistant screws and screwdriver
Short nails and hammer
Asphalt shingles
Tape measure

Step One:
Measure your dog to determine the size your dog house should be. The width of your dog house should be 12" wider than your dog's length. The length should be your dog length plus an additional 18" and the height should be 9" taller than your dog.

Step Two:
Cut 2x4s to the proper length and width of your dog house to build the base of your dog house.

Step Three:
Butt these boards against each other to build the base of the dog house. Attach these boards using screws.

Step Four:
Screw a floor board to the top of the base you just created. Make sure that the plywood is cut to the correct the size of the dog house.

Step Five:
Cut the side pieces with an angled top. Cut both of these pieces at the same time to ensure that they use the same angle. Cut the proper size for the back piece of the dog house as well.

Step Six:
Mount the sides to the base that you've created using the same weather-resistant screws. Mount supports in the corners. These supports can simply be 2x4s measured to the correct height.

Step Seven:
Cut a piece of plywood to act as the divider for the dog house. The divider will keep the dog safe from weather and give him/her additional privacy. The divider should have the same slanted top as the two side pieces, but should be about half the depth of the side pieces.

Step Eight:
Screw pieces of rigid insulation to the exterior walls as well as the divider. This will keep your dog warmer in the cold months.

Step Nine:
Cover the insulation with the ¼" plywood to protect your dog from chewing on it.

Step Ten:
Cut the front edge to the proper size and also cut an opening that is a couple of inches taller than your dog's back and also 3" wider than your dog. This cut should be in the center of one of the small rooms you created with the divider.

Step Eleven:
Mount the front piece to the dog house and use the same supports at the corners to secure the dog house.

Step Twelve:
Cut the roof piece slightly larger than size needed. This will allow for runoff in the rain. Install asphalt shingles to the roof using short nails that don't poke through the roof. Lay these, overlapping each other and folding under the edges. Mount the roof to the side supports with screws.

Now that you have built your customized dog house you are ready to stain or paint it. If you are staining the dog house make sure to choose a non-toxic stain that will hold up well against outdoor weather such as rain or snow. Don't forget to also customize the inside of your dog house with a soft pillow or bedding for your dog to lay on. You dog will love the newly build customized dog house!