How to build a small dog house

This step by step diy article is about how to build a small dog house plans. In this article we show you all the techniques, materials, tools and plans required for building a simple dog house for your pet. Therefore, building a shelter for your dog is simple enough for any amateur handymen that knows the basic carpentry techniques. The easiest method to get the job done is to build a frame from 2×2 lumber and to attach the 3/4” siding.

In order to get a professional result, we recommend you to buy quality materials. Therefore, build the joists from 2×4 lumber, while the frame and the rafters from 2×2 lumber. Buy pine, cedar of pressure treated lumber, if you want to make a durable construction. When selecting the materials, we recommend you to check if they are in a good condition and perfectly straight.

Always align the components before locking them together with screws or nails. In addition, plumb the side walls and make sure the top ridge is perfectly horizontal, using a spirit level. Moreover, pre-drill the lumber before driving in the wood screws, to prevent the wood from splitting. Countersink the head of the screws, as to get a nice appearance and a professional result. See all my Premium Plans in the Shop.

Made from this plan

In order to make a small dog house, you needs the following:

Materials

A – 3 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 21” long, 2 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 24” long JOISTS
B – 1 piece of 3/4” plywood – 24×24” FLOORING
C – 9 pieces of 2×2 – 12”, 4 pieces of 2×2 – 24”, 4 pieces of 2×2 – 21” FRAME
D – 2 pieces of 3/4” plywood 24 x 19 1/2”, 2 pieces of 3/4” plywood 25 1/2 x 32 2/3” SIDING
E – 6 pieces of 2×2 lumber 20”, 4 pieces of 2×2 lumber 21 1/2”, 1 piece of 2×2 lumber 24” RAFTERS
F – 1 piece of 3/4” plywood 21 x 28 1/2”, 1 piece of 3/4” plywood 21 3/4 x 28 1/2” ROOFING
G – 12 sq ft of tar paper, 12 sq ft of asphalt shingles SHINGLES
H – 12 ft of 1×3 lumber, 6 ft of 1×2 lumber TRIMS

2 pieces of 3/4″ plywood – 4’x8′
1 piece of 2×4 lumber – 10 ft
6 pieces of 2×2 lumber – 8 ft
1 piece of 1×2 lumber – 12 ft
1 piece of 1×2 lumber – 6 ft
12 sq ft of tar paper, 12 sq ft of asphalt shingles
2 1/2″ screws
1 1/4″ screws
glue, stain
wood filler

Tools

Safety gloves, glasses
Miter saw, jigsaw
Chalk line, tape measure, spirit level, carpentry pencil
Drill machinery and drill bits

Tips

Pre-drill holes in the wooden components, before driving in the screws
Smooth the exposed edges, by using a router with a 1/4” bit

Time

One day

Building a house for a small dog

Building a small dog house

Building a dog house for your pet should be a priority, especially during the winter time. If you haven’t found a kit that fit your budget or the size of your dog, you should pay attention to the instructions described in this tutorial.

Building the floor of the dog house

First, assemble the frame of the floor. Therefore, drill pilot holes trough the rim joists and insert 3” screws into the joists. Next, attach the 3/4” plywood to the frame and insert 2” nails, every 6”.

Make sure the components are aligned properly and check if the corners are right-angled, using a carpentry square. In addition, measure the diagonals of the floor and make adjustments if necessary.

Installing the side walls

The next step of the woodworking project is to build the side walls from 2×2 lumber and to secure them into place. Pre-drill pilot holes trough the bottom and top plates, before inserting the 3” wood screws into the studs.

Installing the front and the end faces

Continue this diy project by fitting the front and the back ends of the small dog house. In order to get the job done quickly, we recommend you to use the same techniques described above.

Attaching the siding into place

After building the wooden frame, you should cut out the exterior siding from 3/4” plywood and secure it into place tightly. Drive 1 1/4” nails to lock the panels into the frames, every 6”.

Exterior siding plans

As you can see in the free plans, you have to make a lot of cuts, in order to build the exterior siding. Use a blade with fine teeth, otherwise you might tear the edges of the plywood. Make sure the blade of the saw goes exactly over the cut lines.

Smart Tip: In order to cut out the front opening, you should drill a starting hole with a drill machinery and a large bit. Next, cut the opening with a jigsaw along the cut lines.

Attaching the rafters

Build the wooden rafters from 2×2 lumber and fit them into place with 3” screws. As you can see in the image, you have to cut one end of the interior rafters at 45º. Oppositely, you have to cut the both ends of the rafters placed on the outside of the dog house at 45º.

Build the top ridge form 2×2 lumber and secure it to the rafters using 3” screws. Don’t forget to drill pilot holes in the ridge, otherwise the wood might split.

Rafters plans

Use our free plans to build the rafters at the right size and shape. As you can easily notice in the image, you should notch the rafters as to fit on top of the plates easily. Use a carpentry square to mark the notches on the rafters.

Fitting the roofing sheets

Continue by cutting the roofing sheets from 3/4” plywood. Attach the sheets to rafters, make sure they are flush at both ends and insert the 1 1/4” galvanized wood screws, every 6”. Work with great care and attention, if you want to obtain a professional result.

Fitting the shingles and trims

First of all, you have to cover the whole surface of roof with tar paper and staple it into place with 3/8” galvanized staples. Cut the excess material with a cutter. Next, install the starter course (place the tabs upward-oriented) and secure them with 3/4” screws. Fit the rest of the tabs, making sure you follow the right pattern.

How to build a small dog house

Last but not least, you have to take care of the finishing touches. Therefore fill the head of the screws and the other holes with a good filler and let the compound to dry out properly. Next, sand the surface along the wood grain, using 120-grit sandpaper and a sand-block.

Thank you for reading our article about how to build a small dog house and we recommend you to check out the rest of the projects. Don’t forget to share our article with your friends, using the social media widgets, if you have found this project useful.

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