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How to Build a Dog House |Dog How2 Vids|
Tools & Materials
Tools:
Hammer
Square
Circular Saw
Table Saw
Paintbrush
Measuring Tape

Materials:

Dust Mask
Goggles
Hearing Protection
4 x 8 Sheet of 5/8-inch Exterior Siding
8-foot 2 x 4
10-foot 2 x 4 (rated for outdoor use)
Nails (16d for base, 8d for house and short roofing nails for shingles)
Shingles
Paint or Stain
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Planning

Cutting Out the Parts for Your Dog House

Cut the parts.
The illustration provides the dimensions for the panel elements of our dog house. The house is designed to make the most use of a single sheet of plywood siding. Notice that the drawing has two floor panels. This is done so that you can double the thickness of the floor for rigidity.

Step 1
Lay out the panels on the back of the siding as shown in the drawing. Then, carefully cut out the panels on the lines. Cut the entry hole only large enough to allow your dog easy access.

Step 2
Cut your 10-foot 2x4 into the following:

2 pieces 22-7/8-inches long (platform sides)
2 pieces 20 3/4-inches long (platform front and back)
4 pieces 6-inches long (platform legs)
These will be used to build the platform on which the house will be built.

Assembling the Dog House Platform

Assemble the Platform
Consult the drawing at right when performing the following steps:

Instructions
Step 1
Round the bottom of the 6-inch platform legs.

Step 2
With tops aligned, nail the legs flush against the inside edges of the 22-7/8-inch long side pieces of the platform.

Step 3
Assemble the frame by nailing the 20 3/4-inch front, back and side pieces in place as shown.

Note: The front and back pieces overlap the ends of the side pieces.

Step 4
Finally, align the first floor panel with the frame. It should align without overhanging edges. This will assure that the frame is square and that it's properly assembled. If the floor and frame don't match up, double-check to make sure you have correctly assembled the frame. If the frame is assembled properly but there's a slight overhang in a place or two (perhaps because the panels weren't cut perfectly straight), trim off the excess with a circular saw. When you're donel, nail both floor panels in place.

Building the Dog House

Instructions
Step 1
Build the doghouse.
Rip the 8-foot 2x4 into 2x2 stock to be used as frame elements.

Step 2
From these, cut 4 pieces 12 1/2-inches long.

Step 3
Nail these pieces flush against the short edges of the sides. One frame piece should be positioned starting at the top of each side corner, leaving a 3 1/2-inch space at the bottom to allow the side panel to overhang the platform.

Also attach frame pieces to the inside roof line of the front and back panels. The frame pieces should meet at the top and extend along the roof line to approximately 2 1/2-inch from the sides.

Step 4
Put one of the sides in place (the edges of the side should align with the front and back of the platform) and nail it to the platform at the bottom. Repeat this step for the other side.

Step 5
Now you may attach the back of the doghouse. Align it with the sides and nail it in place, first against the platform, then into the 2-inch by 2-inch frame members in the corners. Do the same for the front.

Putting on the Dog House Roof

Step 1
Nail a 22-inch long piece of 2-inch x 2-inch flush against the top inside edge of one of the roof panels (along the 32-inch axis). The piece should be centered, 5-inches in from the edges of the panel. When both roof panels are installed, this piece will run across and support the ridge cap.

Step 2
Place the first roof panel in position (the one with the frame piece along the top inside edge). Nail it to the frame attached to the top of the front and back of the doghouse. Be careful not to miss with the nails. You don't want to leave exposed nail points inside the doghouse. You may not be able to get inside once it is finished to take care of any problems.

Step 3
Nail the remaining roof panel in place.

Finishing the Doghouse

Round and sand any rough edges of the doghouse that could injure your dog. Some people prime and paint their doghouses to match their homes. Others treat the wood with linseed oil only, in case the dog tries to eat it. If you do paint your doghouse, use a good quality exterior latex house paint.

How to Build a Dog House |Dog How2 Vids|
www.DogHow2Vids.blogspot.com http://goo.gl/z68zcf