The doghouse that I built was a weekend project I did in early March
. I was able to get this adventure accomplished on schedule and within my budget due to some excellent plans that I was able to get my hands on and some borrowed tools. Dog kennel building is one of the easier woodworking projects to do without hiring a professional but you need to have a good set of blue prints.
Once this is accomplished, it will also be great for your self esteem and you can move on to other woodworking projects such as building a shed or a deck. It is always nice to brag about something you built from nothing I have found.
There are a vast number of plans for building a dog house some of which are free and some that are not. Depending on what you choose, you must ensure that the plans are detailed and provide step by step instructions as well as photos.
You must also get a set of plans that not only list all the materials that you shall need for the project but that also discusses what size to cut all the wood pieces. You want to make sure that all bases are covered and that you get the project accomplished on your first try. You do not want to have an unfinished project to eat at you and remind you that you still have not accomplished your goal on a daily basis.
It is always good to remember your dog's habits especially bad habits, as you build the dog kennel. If your dog chews on furniture, then in all likelihood, he or she will also chew on the doghouse so you need to make sure that you do not use pressure treated wood that are treated with dangerous chemicals in areas he or she can easily access.
It would be best to utilize natural wood that is sealed with a good quality primer and outdoor paint that is not toxic should your dog chew on it. If the dog chews on certain areas, though it is a nuisance, you will need to repaint the areas before moisture is drawn in which will do serious damage to the wood.
It is also crucial to know that the larger you build the dog kennel, the harder it will be to keep it warm with the dog's body heat. You might think that giving your pet a roomy structure to walk around in is a good thing but those open spaces will not be comfortable at all for him on a cold night.
Remember that the first step is to get your hands on a good set of plans preferably drawn up by a professional to save you time and money as well as headaches so that you can get the project accomplished from start to finish in a weekend as I did.