Constructing a Wooden Outdoor Dog Kennel

Introduction 

Most families have that one exceptional member that they all love – a dog. However, it takes a little more effort to be a good canine caretaker than just feeding and walking the dog. A dog must have a home, its castle; because at the end of the day, families have different reasons for not sleeping with their canine in close proximity. Therefore, this article targets individual dog owners who face the challenge of investing incredulous amount of money on buying dog kennels. You do not need any prerequisite knowledge or skills as the article clearly sets out stepwise instructions for you.

The key areas covered in the guidelines include location of the appropriate site, design of the kennel, and construction of the kennel. The task covers procedures for functional kennels for small, medium, or large sized dogs and uses readily available materials that can withstand all weather conditions with good care. You can undertake this task anywhere in the outdoors as the finished kennel is easily movable, but it is preferable to perform it at the chosen location where large kennels are involved. With all materials and tools assembled, the task can take you a maximum of three hours to accomplish.

Figure 1: Sample of a finished dog kennel without the door piece (https://www.pinterest.com/explore/outdoor-dog-kennels/?lp=true).

List of Materials and Tools 

Treated pine for sub floor and side frames (100mm x 50mm) – 10 @ 2.7m

Structural grade plywood 12mm 2400 x 1200, - 3 sheets

Bullet head galvanized nails for frames (100mm x 4.5mm)

Bullet head galvanized nails for fixing plywood (40mm x 2mm)

Roofing nails

Corrugated iron sheet for roofing 12mm – 1010mm x 810mm

Note: Dimensions given are for medium size kennels for breeds such as Hounds, Boxers, German Shepherds, Labradors, Corgis, and Irish Setters among others (Home Timber & Hardware, 2017) 

Power circular of handsaw

A pencil

A carpenter’s square

Tape measure

Claw hammer

Figure 2: Some of the tools that you may need to accomplish the task

List of Steps 

Step 1: Decide on the location of the dog kennel 

Your choice of the place directly influences the design of the structure and materials and methods to be used. For instance, an isolated dog kennel must be built with all the sides complete, while that attached to the side of the house may reduce the need for some parts.

You should consider aspects such as barking noise and the need for its control, dog odor from urine and fecal matter, flies, and cleaning efforts when choosing the location (Thoms, 2016).

Step 2: Assemble all materials and tools 

You should ensure timber, plywood, nails, and corrugated iron sheet, and all tools needed for the task are at the chosen location prior to save time and eliminate potential inconveniences.

Step 3: Build the sub floor frame 

The floor holds the key to the sturdiness of your dog’s kennel, which is helped by the treated pine that is rot and termite proof. To accomplish this task, do as follows:

Cut the treated pine timber to obtain;

2 pieces 975mm long for the sides

3 pieces 745mm long for long ends

2 pieces 415mm long for cross pieces

To start, use a carpenter’s square to square one end of the timber, marking pencil lines across all the four sides and then cut neatly with a saw.

Repeat the process this time using the dimensions provided to cut each piece to length while ensuring sawed ends are square for stronger joins.

Lay down the pieces to form a perimeter as indicated in figure 3 below, then butt join each joint using two 100mm x 4.5 mm galvanized bullet head nails, driving them at an angle towards each other for stronger joins.

Figure 3: Sub floor frame for dog kennel (Home Timber & Hardware, 2017)

Now, measure and cut out a piece of 12mm plywood and nail it on the sub floor frame with 40mm x 2mm galvanized nails along all sides and cross pieces

Step 4: Build the sides (walls) 

Repeat the squaring procedure using a carpenter’s square and a pencil to cut side pieces from the pine timber as follows:

2 pieces 685mm long

2 pieces 680mm long

2 pieces 675mm long

4 pieces 415mm long

2 pieces 745mm long for the back and front cross pieces

Lay down the respective side pieces (2 for the front, 2 for the middle, and 2 for the back) at distances of 415mm.

Join the pieces at the midpoint using the four 415mm pieces to form a side frame.

Repeat the procedure for the second side frame.

Nail the side frames on each side of the sub floor frame using the 100mm x 4.5mm galvanized bullet head nails.

Note: The sub floor frame must be 50mm off the ground supported by 6 pieces of the side frames. 

Nail the 745mm back cross piece at 50mm from the top of the 675mm back pieces (legs).

Repeat this with the front piece at the top of the 680mm front piece (legs).

(At this point, you should be having a sturdy structure minus the roof and the door piece and the plywood walls.) 

Step 5: Build the roof 

Measure and cut roof frame pieces from the pine timber as follows:

3 pieces 1000mm long

2 cross pieces 745mm long

Lay down the three long pieces on a flat surface and join them at mid-distance using the 745mm center cross-pieces.

Step 6: Create a slant at the top 

Saw off the top of the top of each of the leg pieces at a bevel (wedged) to allow the roof frame to rest on the top slanting.

Step 7: Fix the roof 

Nail the roof frame into place using the 100mm x 4.5mm galvanized bullet head nails.

Nail the iron sheet piece into place using roofing nails.

Step 8: Complete the front 

Repeat the squaring procedure to cut 1 piece 745mm in length.

Nail it as the front cross piece 100mm from the top of the 685mm front legs.

Step 9: Complete the sides 

Measure and cut 2 similar pieces of plywood for the sides; 1 piece for the back end, and 1 piece for the front end.

Cut a door on the front piece 580mm x 310 mm.

Step 10: Fix the sides 

Nail the plywood pieces in place with the 40mm x 2mm galvanized bullet head nails along all the pieces of the side, back, and front frames.

Step 11: Finish off 

Paint the walls of the complete kennel with a suitable agent/paint for durability and aesthetic

Figure 4: Sample of finished kennel without the roof and paint, but with a side door (Pinterest).

Tips and Warnings 

Cut butt joints perfectly square for a strong neat join, using a carpenter’s square and a visible pencil all the time.

Mark the butting ends by painting before fixing and smoothing with a sanding block.

When cutting many pieces of the same length, clamp as many as you can and cut them together.

Use protective wear such as goggles, gloves, and ear muffs when using powered tools.

References 

Home Timber & Hardware. (2017). Build your own dog kennel. Retrieved on 05/06/2017 from: https://www.homehardware.com.au/diy-advice/diy-projects/backyard-outdoor/kennel/.

Pinetrest. (n.d). Outdoor dog kennels. Retrieved on 05/06/2017 from: https://www.pinterest.com/explore/outdoor-dog-kennels/?lp=true.

Thoms, J. (2016, June). How to build the perfect dog kennel. GUNDOG. Retrieved on 05/06/2017 from: http://www.gundogmag.com/gear-accessories/how-to-design-the-perfect-dog-kennel/.