How to Make a DIY Dog House

Your dog will love it. And so will you.

Time

A full day

Complexity

Intermediate

Cost

$101–250

Introduction

Here is a simply-designed, low-cost dog house you can build in an afternoon

Tools Required

  • Bar clamps
  • Circular saw and cutting guide (or table saw)
  • Drill bits
  • Drill/driver
  • Hearing and eye protection
  • Measuring tape
  • Metal straightedge

Materials Required

  • 1-1/2-in deck screws
  • 1-1/4-in finish screws
  • 2-in screws or nails
  • 2x4-ft 1/2-in PVC (2)
  • 3-in. deck screws
  • 4x8-ft 3/4-in plywood (1)
  • 8-ft 2x2 (3)
  • 8-ft 2x4 (2)
  • Silicone caulk

Project step-by-step (14)

Step 1

Cut Floor Material

  • Cut two 2x4s at 34-1/2-in.
  • Cut three 2x4s at 19-1/4-in.
  • To make it easier to manage the large 4×8 sheet of plywood, first cut 22-1/4-inches from one end of the sheet, using a table saw or circular saw.
  • Cut the 22-1/4-in piece to 34-1/2 inches.
Step 2

Assemble the Floor

  • Set the 2x4s on edge and create a box frame with the three shorter boards evenly spaced between the two longer boards, as shown.
  • Attach the boards using three-inch deck screws.
  • Place the 22-1/4-in. x 34-1/2-in. plywood floor on the frame, keeping it flush with the edges.
  • Attach the floor using 1-1/2-in deck screws.

Step 3

Cutting the Dog House Front & Back

  • First cut 36 inches from one end of the sheet of plywood, using a table saw or circular saw.
  • Cut the 36-in. piece into two 23-3/4-in. pieces.
Step 4

Roof Peaks & Door Layout

  • Make a mark 24 inches up from the bottom on each side of the front and back boards.
  • Make a mark in the middle at 11-7/8-in. on the top edge of each board.
  • Draw a line at a 45-degree angle from each 24-inch mark up to the 11-7/8-in. mark on both front and back boards.
  • Cut on the lines using a circular saw.
    • Pro tip: Clamp a straight edge to the plywood to guide your saw.
  • Make another mark in the middle at 11-7/8-in. on the bottom edge of the front board.
  • Draw a line 15 inches up from the 11-7/8-in. mark.
  • Draw a 12-inch circle at the 15-inch mark using a compass.
  • Draw a line 4-1/4-in. up from the bottom across the width of the board.
  • Measure 5 -7/8-in. from each side and make marks on your four-inch line.
  • Connect the two 5-7/8-in lines with the outer edge of the circle.

Step 5

Cut the Door Opening

  • Drill a 3/8-in. hole on the inside edge of the opening.
  • Cut along the lines using a jigsaw.
  • Round over the sharp edges of the opening with 150 grit sandpaper.

Step 6

Cutting 2×2 Frame & Ridge

  • Set your saw to a 45 degree angle.
  • Cut four side frame 2x2s so they measure 22-1/4-in. to the long point of the 45 degree angle.
  • Cut four roof frame 2x2s so they measure 13-11/16-in. to the long point of the 45 degree angle.
  • Set your saw back to 90 degrees.
  • Cut one roof ridge 2×2 to 34-1/2-in. long.

Step 7

Attach Front and Back Frames

  • Draw lines 3/4-in. from each side on the inside of the front and back boards.
  • Apply a small amount of glue to the side frame 2x2s.
  • Attach the four side frame 2x2s to the inside of the front and back boards on the ¾-in. mark, using two-inch screws or nails. Be sure the 45 degree angle is flush with the top and follows the angle of the roof.
  • Apply a small amount of glue to the roof frame 2x2s.
  • Attach the four roof frame 2x2s along the top edge of the inside of the front and back boards, using two-inch screws or nails. Be sure they are flush with the top edge and follow the angle of the roof.
    • Pro tip: Use a 3/4-in. scrap of plywood as a spacer when attaching the side frame 2x2s.

Step 8

Assemble Front, Back & Bottom

  • Place the front assembly against the short end of the floor platform, assuring the 2×2 side frames are flush with the long edge of the floor. Clamp it in place.
  • Secure the front assembly to the floor platform using two-inch screws.
  • Repeat the same with the back assembly.

Step 9

Roof Ridge Board

  • Apply a small amount of glue to both ends of the roof ridge board.
  • Place it in the cradle of the roof peak between the front and back assemblies.
  • Secure it from the outside of the front & back assemblies using 1-1/2-in screws.

Step 10

Cutting Sides

  • Cut two 23-3/4-in. x 34-1/2-in. sides from the remainder of the plywood.
  • Set your saw to 45 degrees.
  • Cut a 45 degree angle on the 34-1/2-in long edge of each board.
Step 11

Attach the Sides

  • Draw a line 3/4-in. from each side the length of both side boards.
  • Pre-drill six 1/8-in. pilot holes at your 3/4-in. line, three inches from the top and three inches from the bottom, with one hole in the middle on each board.
  • Tip the doghouse on to one side.
  • Place the side between the front and back on the 2×2 side frame. Slide it up so the 45 degree angle meets with the roofline.
  • Secure the side to the front and back using 1-1/2-in. screws in the pre-drilled pilot holes.
  • Tip the doghouse onto the other side and repeat the previous procedure.

Step 12

Cut the Roof Panels

  • Cut the right roof panel at 20-in. x 46-in.
  • From the left edge make a mark four inches in on the bottom edge.
  • Draw a line from the top left corner down to your four-inch mark.
  • Cut on the line using a circular saw.
  • Cut the left roof panel at 20-1/2-in. x 46-in.
  • From the right edge make a mark four inches in on the bottom edge.
  • Draw a line from the top right corner down to your four-inch mark.
  • Cut on the line using a circular saw.
    • Pro tip: Clamp a straight edge to the PVC to guide your saw.

Step 13

Attach the Roof Panels

  • To make it easier when attaching the roof panels, pre-drill 1/8-in. pilot holes as per the drawing below (optional).
  • Place the 20-in. right panel on the right side of the dog house roof letting it overhang three inches off the back.
  • Clamp the panel to the roof ridge.
  • Secure the panel to the roof ridge, front and back 2x2s using 1-1/4-in. finish screws.
  • Add a bead of silicone caulk along the top edge of the roof panel you just installed.
  • Place the 20-1/2-in. left roof panel on the left sides of the dog house roof so it overlaps the right roof panel’s ridge, keeping it flush with the front and back edges.
  • Secure the panel to the roof ridge, front and back 2x2s using 1-1/4-in. finish screws.

Step 14

Finishing Touches

  • Round over the sharp edges of the PVC roof panels with 150 grit sandpaper.
  • Fill the screw holes on the roof with white silicone caulk.
  • Prime and paint the dog house to the desired color. While you’re at it, learn how to build DIY dog stairs.