How to Construct Dog Kennels
Constructing a dog kennel or doghouse is a great activity for individuals or a way to spend time with family and friends. With basic home-improvement tools and a few careful measurements, you can have an attractive and sturdy dog kennel completed in a weekend. Figuring out what supplies are needed and building the kennel can improve your carpentry skills. Children can gain self-confidence as they learn to handle tools and work with building materials, and your dog will have a great shelter. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Metal tape measure
- Pencil
- 2-by-4-inch pressurized wood
- Circular, reciprocating or hand saw
- Weatherized screws
- Screwdriver
- 3/4-inch pressurized plywood
- Tarpaper
- Roofing nails
- Hammer
- Roofing shingles
- Roof cement
- Paint
- Paintbrush
- 1/2-inch insulating foam sheet, optional
- Liquid nail glue, optional
- 1/4-inch plywood, optional
Instructions
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1
Measure your dog's height and length to calculate the dimensions of the kennel. To create a comfortable space, use your dog's length plus 12 inches for the width, length plus 18 inches for the kennel length, height plus 9 inches for the front panel and height plus 3 inches for the back panel. This will give the roof a slope for rainwater runoff.
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2
Cut two 2-by-4s to the length measurement, and three to the width measurement. Place the width pieces in between the length pieces at both ends and in the middle to create a base for the floor. Screw together securely. Cut a sheet of 3/4-inch plywood to fit the base. Screw the floor onto the base.
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3
Cut two 2-by-4s to the front height and attach them to the front of the floor, flush to the corners. Cut two 2-by-4s to the back height and attach to the back at the corners. Cut two pieces to the length measurement and attach to the top of the corner pieces. This creates the frame for the dog kennel. Cut the 3/4-inch plywood to the frame measurements for the front, back and two side panels. Screw the back and side panels to the frame.
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4
Cut an opening in the front panel. A good size for the opening is your dog's height plus 2 inches and their width plus 3 inches. Screw the front panel into place. Cut the roof panel from 3/4-inch plywood. Allow a 2-inch overhang on the sides, a 3-inch overhang at the back and a 6-inch overhang at the front. Screw the roof panel onto the frame.
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5
Use roofing nails to attach tarpaper to the roof, then nail on the roofing shingles. Make sure that any holes or gaps are well-sealed with roof cement. Paint the kennel.
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Tips & Warnings
To insulate the kennel, cut 1/2-inch foam sheets and glue them to the walls and roof panels as you build. It is a good idea to cover them with 1/4-inch plywood to prevent damage from dog clawing and chewing.
