How to Build an Inside Wood Dog Crate
Anyone who has ever brought home a new puppy knows how the excitement of the first days clash with the frustration of nighttime. The puppy wanders through the house crying for its mother and siblings. Even after it gets used to living in its new home nighttime accidents and episodes of chewing are common. It can help to keep the puppy in a box or crate at night until it becomes used to its new home. Luckily, building such a crate is relatively easy.
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Things You'll Need
- wooden slates
- two wooden sandwich boards
- nails
- hammer
- saw
- hinges
- latch for door
- wood glue
Instructions
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Building an Inside Dog Crate
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1
Decide how large you want to build your crate. It should be large enough to allow the dog to stand, sit and turn around comfortably. Measure the length and width that you plan to build the crate.
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2
Cut two sandwich boards to that size. These will serve as the base and the top of the crate.
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3
Cut the wooden boards/slats to the height that you want. There should be a slat placed every few inches along the edge of the crate's base (the spacing will depend on the size of the dog - a crate for a smaller dog will obviously need smaller spacing between the slats).
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4
Glue the slats to the base. Leave one end open for the door.
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5
Turn the crate upside down so it is resting on the slats. Nail the slat to the base.
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6
Measure the opening on the end. This will be the door of the crate.
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7
Cut two boards to fit the width of the door and several boards (as many as you need, leaving the proper space between the slats) to fit the length/height of the door.
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8
Glue the slats lengthwise to the two short boards.
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9
Nail the long slats to the boards on both ends.
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10
Attach hinges to the door and to the opening for the door on the crate. Attach the two parts of the hinges so that the door swings open.
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11
Attach a hook and eye latch (or another kind of latch) to the crate and the door so that the door of the crate can be closed.
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12
Put an old rug into the crate along with any dog toys and rawhide bones and other items that the dog might enjoy. Create a space where the dog will feel comfortable.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Crates are extremely helpful for housebreaking a dog. Dogs instinctively will not eliminate when they are confined to a small area, so if the dog is crated at night she will learn to wait until she is let out in the morning to do her business. For a puppy who misses his mother and siblings, a soft pillow or towel can be added to the corner of the crate to offer a bit of comfort. A soft ticking clock also adds a feel of his mother's heart beating, though the alarm must be turned off!
Some dogs might try to chew the wood so it is advisable NOT to stain or paint the wood on the crate.
