An Easy DIY Dog House

Make this simple homemade dog house with just a few materials. Your furry friend will flip.

By: Sam Henderson

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Photo By: Photo by Sam Henderson

Doggy Digs

Make this simple dog house from one sheet of plywood. Use it as a great base for your doggy designs.

Gathering the materials

You will need: 4’-8’ sheet of 5/8” exterior siding/ marker/ measuring tape/ square/ circular saw/ jigsaw/ drill with bit large enough for jigsaw blade/ (1) 10’ 2x4/ (2) 8’ 2x2/ 3" nails, 2" nails, short roofing nails/ hammer/ shingles/ paint or stain/ paint brush

Marking the plywood

Begin by laying your plywood out and drawing the pieces according to the diagram. Use a square for accuracy. Use a marker for drawing the design so the lines are thicker than a pencil line.

DIY dog house

Use this layout to get all the pieces you need from one 4'x8' sheet of plywood.

Cutting the plywood

Cut directly on the marker lines with a circular saw or table saw. Lightly sand any rough edges.

Cutting the framing

Cut the 2x4s and 2x2s with a circular saw or table saw. Lightly sand any rough edges.

Drawing the door

Your door should be just big enough for your dog to enter. Any bigger will allow unwanted weather to enter. Start by drawing a line 3 inches from the bottom of the front of the doghouse. This will be the bottom of your door. Determine the width (width of your dog plus a few inches on either side). Center that measurement on the line you drew for the bottom of the door. Draw two perpendicular lines from the bottom line at either side of your width measurement. Determine the height (dog’s height to top of head plus a few inches). Use a circular object that fits between the two perpendicular lines as the guide for the top of the door. The top of the circle should be at the height measurement to determined. Use a permanent marker to draw out door shape.

Cutting the door

Staring just inside a corner, drill a hole big enough for a jigsaw blade. Insert the jigsaw blade and carefully cut out the door hole using the marker lines as your guide.

Building the base

Assemble the base by nailing the 6” 2x4 pieces (G) to the ends of the longer pieces(E). They should be flush with the ends. Add the shorter pieces (F) to the outsides of the longer pieces and attach with 3” nails. Turn the base over with the legs down and place both floorboard pieces (A) on the base frame. Nail both pieces of floor board to the base with 3” nails.

Creating the framing

Add 2x2 framing flush (H) to the outsides of the side pieces (B). They should start at the top edge leaving 3 1/2” at the bottom that will overlap the base. Add 2x2 framing flush to the top of the front and back pieces (C). the 13” piece (I) will overlap the 11 1/2” piece (J) at the top leaving 2 1/2” at the bottom. Add a 2x2 framing piece (K) flush to the edge of one of the roof pieces (D). It should be centered leaving 5” on either end of the framing.

Assembling the pieces

Begin by adding the side pieces (B) to the base. Use 2” nails to drive through the outside of the side piece into the base at the bottom. Next add the front piece (C) and attach with 2” nails at the bottom. Additionally, drive 2” nails through the plywood and into the framing attached to the side pieces. Repeat that process for the back side. Lastly add the roof pieces (D) starting with the one that has framing attached. Line the top edge up with the point on the front and back pieces. Attach by nailing through the plywood and into the framing attached to the front and back pieces. Attach the other roof piece, lining it up with the front and back points, with 2” nails into through the plywood and into the framing attached to the other roof piece and the framing attached to the front and back pieces.

Adding the shingles

Add shingles starting at the bottom and overlapping the bottom and front and back edges by about 1/2”. Cut away any excess with heavy duty shears or a utility knife. Attach with short roofing nails. Add the next layer of shingles staggering the gaps and overlapping at least 1 1/2” past the center of the previous shingle. Continue in the manner until the side is covered. Cut away any excess at the top. Repeat for the other side. Note: on the bottom layer there will be wood showing through at the gaps in the shingle. Simply cut a small piece to wedge under the shingle and attach with a single nail.

Adding the ridge cap

Cut away about 10 individual flaps from shingles. Starting at the front edge lay a cut flap over the peak of the roof lengthwise overlapping the top of the shingles on both sides. Attach with roofing nails about halfway on either side. Lay the next flap over the first leaving about 4” of the first exposed, but covering the nails. Nail that flap in place at about halfway on either side. Repeat until the entire cap is covered. Cut away any excess with heavy duty shears or a utility knife.

Protecting your dog house

If your dog house will be exposed to the elements it will need to be treated in some way. It can be stained, painted, sealed, or covered in some other exterior, weather-treated material. If you are going to stain, seal, or paint it be sure to give it a quick sanding first. Use an exterior grade product.

Finishing touches

Make the space homey by adding your pet’s name above the door. For the inside, consider a blanket or a rug that can be removed for cleaning. Make sure no nails have poked through the inside. If they have, file down the points so your dog will not be harmed.

Fur, Fun and Function

Your pup will love playing outdoors when it has its own retreat from the cold and heat.