Simple Doghouse 1.0

About a month and a half ago, I welcomed a new member in my family, Max a very nice and sweet little Silky Cocker. :o) I quickly realized I needed a doghouse for Max since he is staying in my enclosed backyard during the day, when I'm not home. Of course I could've bought a doghouse at my local pet store but since I already had some plywood sheets , I thought it would be more fun to actually build one and write an instructable from it.

Step 1: Gather what you need

In order to build your own doghouse, you'll first need some basic but essentials tools:

• saw with a miter box
• hammer
• multi-bits screwdriver
• file
• tape measure
• ruler
• protractor
• a pair of compasses
• power drilling / screwing machine

The following tools are not obligatory but strongly recommended:

• nailing gun
• jigsaw

That's about it for the tools you need, so now here is for the materials you need:

• plywood sheets (I chose 1/4" tick)
• 2x2 studs
• one drywall bull nose (to rainproof the roof)
• screws
• nails
• 8 L shape braces and 2 T shape braces

I didn't specify any dimensions in the following instructable' 'since you can size the house to your dog's size.

Once you gather all the tools and the materials, you can begin the construction of the doghouse: let's go to step # 2 !

Comments

[ANCO 222]

Really great plan, when I looked at the step by step guide I thought "Now this looks easier than it's going to be, I constructed the frame in my shed which is fairly large and it worked out deadly, but as I made a fairly large one I had to take it apart to get it tout the shed door lolol but it was even more straight forward then to complete it,,
If only all assembly and construction instructions were as easy to follow as these,,,great house,delighted,,Buster loves his new pad,he says WOOF WOOF (THANKS CHRISMAKE)

[jkrever]

I like it !!!

[IdahoDavid]

That is a fine looking dog.

[animal lover]

Chrismake's dog is so cute.

[thecodfather14]

I put a hinge on the back panel i could put the blanket and toys in easyer but thank u so much thi helped

[chrismake]

That's a good idea 1 Do you have any pictures ? Post them here !

[led235]

 GREAT INSTRUCTABLE!
MAX LOOKS LIKE HE LOVES IT!!!

[awang8]

Looks absolutely awesome! I wish my dad would let me get a dog... Actually he did let me get a dog but the RSPCA shelter doesn't have any good dogs... Also, I don't think I can afford all these materials.

Quote from dad: "Why would you build a doghouse if you can buy one for 30 bucks?"

Response from me: "Cause it's cheaper and funner and awesomer"

Response from dad: "It's not funner. It's hard work to make. And it's not awesomer, it's too... Different. And who cares about the extra savings? I can afford it you know."

Sigh...

[ktalex]

ur dad sounds like a real buzzkill.

[Parakeet Crazzzy]

congrats! your i'ble is on a public guide by me!

[chrismake]

Thanks ! ;o)

[Whaleman]

Aww, such a cute puppy! It makes me wish my dad would let me get a dog =( Oh well, I could make one, then he would have to get my family a dog!

[bdl]

Crash2108says: That must've been why he thought it necessary to add steal brackets Crash2108, Some really questionable spelling there. See! Not nice is it?

[mrbob1000]

thats a pretty little cavachon there... i have one. my family got ours from some menonites in pennsylvania

[gebbetje]

this is no cocker, this looks like en foofoo!

[Crash2108]

(removed by author or community request)

[vphilly]

He did confess to a lack of woodworking skills, so maybe cutting him a break is in order?

[screaminscott]

For a structure of this size, he doesn't need the frame to support the plywood skin. The plywood has enough strength to support itself. The framing is mostly to provide a place to put the screws and provide some extra stiffness. So the framing for the roof doesn't need to be connected to the framing for the body. He probably didn't even need a miter box to make the 45-degree cuts.

[Crash2108]

That must've been why he thought it necessary to add steal brackets.

[Zoso]

Another way would be to make the entire roof assembly removeable, held on with ball catches somewhat like a pop-off panel on a yacht.

[Suppafly]

You could either hinge it at the bottom or put a hinge under on side of the roof.

[chrismake]

theRIAA, LasVegas -> No I let MAX outside during the day but I let him inside the house - out of the cold - during nighttime. colinj -> That's right, thanks for the tip ! IdahoDavid -> thanks, but I knew by posting a picture of the dog, it would overlook the actual dog house ! ;o) screaminscott -> thanks for your constructive remarks

[colinj]

If you make sure to put the dog house on top of something (like a couple of 2x4s or some bricks and not have it sit directly on the ground it will keep the floor from rotting out too quickly.

[LasVegas]

Great job! By "enclosed backyard," I hope you mean "out of the cold." I wouldn't be kind to make a pet stay out in the cold, even with a small shelter.

[theRIAA]

awwwwwwww, you dont let him sleep inside? D':