I love reusing stuff like cardboard. For one, it is cheaper than buying a new item, it's green, and i get a little ego boost by being inventive.
This is a great way to reuse one of the worlds most common items,boxes are everywhere. shoot,lots of boxes contain more boxes.lol.(example- big boxes that have lots of litte boxes of candy)

Maybe you make this crate because you want to be green. or maybe you just got a new puppy and have to wait til your next paycheck to get an expensive crate.Either way this is a cheap,green way to acclomplish your goal.

Step 1: Simple Household Items That You Will Need

*card board box (big enough for you dog to go in and be able to stand up and turn around )
*duct tape (there are lots of pretty/cool patterns these days. Let your imagination go crazy-have fun with it)
*screen ( you could also use the mesh from a mesh laundry bag)
*zip ties
*scissors or serrated knife
*pen/pencil
*some sort of hook
*paint (optional)
*carpet or dog bed or some sort of bedding for your pet (optional)

Step 2: Let's Get Started

Cut a big square big enough for you dog to fit through but you also dont want the "door" part so thin that it wont hold its shape.Then cut a square in the "door" so you can put a screen there. Next, cut airholes on the sides and back of the box. you can make circles or paw prints ,just have fun with it. cut the screen to be a little bigger than your airholes and "door". Duct tape them on from inside the box.

Step 3: Finishing Touches

I used a pen to poke two holes, one in the door and on the box.( do this two times,once towards the top of the box and once towards the bottom of the box...as shown)ok, now put you zipties in so that you create "hinges". Tighten as needed. be carefull not to make it so tight that your "hinges" wont work. Then on the opposite end of the front ,poke two holes onto the "door" about 1-2 inches apart vertically and then again on the box. Now put your zip ties in those holes. Tighten as needed. be carefull not to make it so tight that you can't "clip" your door shut. you are done ... now you can paint or decorate with duct tape, stickers , pictures, etc. do whatever you want to make it your "own " style.

***please excuse how awful the box looks..i started to paint a "primer" on it to see how well the paint would cover the print that was on the box.

*** dont forget to trim your ziptie and you can cover the tip with duct tape

Step 4: Finished Product

Here is my finished product. This one is for my daughters dog. For my dog i will make it black with leopard print duct tape and i will probably put some blingy letters of my dogs name on it. Please send me pics of your style when you make this fun and easy project.

Charlie was so kind to be my lovely little model. I got her from the pound almost 1 year ago. She is a great dog. Knows lots of tricks and loves to retreive.