How We Build It- Dog Houses

We won't take credit for the design, these dog houses we've been building are a modified version of what Karen Ramstead/North Wapiti Kennels builds for their sled dogs.  We didn't feel we needed quite as heavy duty as they are building, and a slight change in material preference.  Trust me, these houses are plenty heavy as they sit even with the redesign!

Materials Needed

8' Pressure treated 4"x4" board
16' Pressure treated 2"x6" board
1- 3/4" 4'x8' sheet of plywood *we chose marine grade plywood* This sheet can build 1 house or become 4 roof sections
1- 4'x8' sheet of MDO board *fiberglass sealed board*
16' 1"x1" stick
1 box 1 3/4" self tapping deck screws
1 box 1 5/8" self tapping deck screws
2' 2"x4" pressure treated wood

Step One

Start with making the quick, easy cuts.  

Take the 8' 4"x4" board and cut into 2 equal 4' sections.  This will be the feet of the pallet we'll be building. 

Next take the 16' of 2"x6" and cut into 2' sections.  This will be the platform of the pallet. 

Finally take the 16' of 1"x1" and cut into 24" sections (2 of these will need to be shortened to 21" sections).  These will be what secures the walls together from the inside.  Also shown here are the 2' sections of 2"x6" that will become the chin rest at the front of the house.

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Step Two

Continue making your cuts to construct the sides, roof, front, and rear sections.

The 2 sides will be 3' long with the front height of 24" and the rear height of 21".  This will create a gradual slope to the roof.

The roof will be a 2'x4' piece of plywood.  The front will be a square 24"x24" section.  The rear will be a 24"x21" section.

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To make the opening for the entry, we used the bottom of a "Home Depot" bucket to make the arch and drew straight lines down from that.  

For best results you'll want to use a quality JIG saw.  An extra set of hands is always welcome too!

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If you choose to use the MDO board  you will need to tape your cuts with simple painters tape to prevent the fiberglass from chipping as you cut.  It is very simple material to work with other wise.  

We chose the MDO board for weather resistance, longevity of the material, and most importantly chew resistance!

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Step Three

Build the pallet platform that the house will sit on.  To do this take your two 4' sections of 4"x4" and place them 2' apart.  Place the 2' sections of 2"x6" across the top making a deck.  Secure using the long deck screws.

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Step Four

Next secure the 1"x1" sticks to the inside side walls (remember one wall will be opposite the other, a mirror image or they will both be built for the same side).  You'll want to make sure they are flush to the outer edges of the wall.  Use the shorter deck screws for this step to prevent pushing through the outside of the wall. 

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Step Five

Secure the rear wall to the two sidewalls using the short deck screws.  Do not secure to the deck yet!

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Step Six

Secure the front in the same manner that you secured the rear.  

Line up the rear of the box to the rear of the deck and then secure, we recommend using long deck screws for this step.

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Step Seven

Attach the chin rest using long deck screws.  This will add stability to the front of the structure, helps keep straw in, and the dogs love having a place to rest their heads.

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Step Eight

Place the roof, we prefer to leave about an inch overhang off the rear purely for somewhere to grab when moving the unit and a bit of a drip overhang.  Secure with the shorter deck screws into the 1"x1" on the sides.

At this stage we like to take some outdoor spray paint and seal the exposed edges of the walls, just to prevent weather damage.

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Step Nine

Repeat as needed!  Congratulations you have a completed dog house that your sled dogs will LOVE and that will LAST!

If you have any questions about the construction of these houses, please feel free to contact us!   We'd be happy to help!

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