Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Step by Step Guide to Building a Dog House

If you are like the dozens of other people who have been procrastinating building a dog house for your dog, then summer time is a good time to begin the project. All dogs need a good shelter from the heat and summer thunderstorms, and a doghouse is ideal. If you don't really know how to build a doghouse, don't fret - with this guide, even a beginner will have a better idea of how to start.

Especially if you are a beginner, the first thing to do is check your local area for resources. Several big box home improvement stores, such as Lowe's and Home Depot, offer guides (both in print and online) that you can follow step by step. Lowe's also offers on-site help with projects, and that includes building a doghouse. Not to mention that you can save money by buying the building supplies at Lowe's. Some parts can be obtained for free at the local junkyard. So, here we go! Stop procrastinating, and follow this guide to building a doghouse. Remember to make use of your local resources and obtain a simple doghouse blueprint to follow.

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First, you must always remember to measure your dog. You might be surprised how many people forget to measure the size of the dog before building a doghouse. This is important so you will know what size of doghouse to build. You can customize the size of the doghouse just for your dog. This way the doghouse will not be too small or too big. If you are building a doghouse for a young dog, remember to make the house big enough to compensate for the dog's growth.

Next, you need to make sure that the roof of the doghouse is not too sloped. This is to help prevent any unfortunate nesting of insects such as wasps, hornets, or bees. It would probably be best to have a flat roof, since most dogs will want to lay on the roof of the house to soak up some sun. Also, do not build the roof with aluminum or any kind of metal, since they can heat up very quickly and easily burn a dog who wants to lay on the roof.

Remember to insulate the dog house according to what kind of dog you have. If the dog has a lot of fur, such as an Alaskan Husky or German Shepard, then the dog house won't need as much insulation. If the dog is short haired like a greyhound or a chihuahua, then the house will obviously need more insulation.

Make sure that air can circulate through the house and that the doghouse is well-ventilated. Using breathable construction materials will help the doghouse be ventilated. Wood is one such material. To save money, you can find scrap wood at a junk yard and even a lumber yard. Make sure the door to the doghouse will always be open, as this helps tremendously with ventilation, and the addition of a small window will help even more. Also make sure that the dog has enough room in the doghouse - enough room to stand up, turn around, play with any toys or bones, and move a bit without hitting the walls. This way, the dog won't be cramped and a doghouse that is big enough for your dog to move around in will help with ventilation.

Next, make sure the doghouse is tough, durable, and quite sturdy. It needs to be durable enough to survive any bad weather that may happen, and to keep your dog protected from such bad weather. It also needs to be sturdy enough to withstand normal wear and tear from the dog. When you construct the doghouse, make sure the floor of the doghouse is built a few inches off of the ground. This is important because, when it rains, any water will be able to flow under the doghouse and not get inside and flood the doghouse. The floor itself also needs to be very durable and sturdy.

Lastly, make sure the doghouse is not right out in the open where the hot summer sun can beat down on it and heat up the small abode. It is best to have a doghouse positioned under a tree, large shrubbery, porch overhang, or some other kind of shade. Having the doghouse placed in the shade will make relaxing a lot more comfortable for your dog and reduce the risk of your dog overheating in the summer sun.

Also, make sure to keep it as simple as possible. It isn't necessary to pile up blankets or a dog bed in the doghouse and it isn't necessary to heat the doghouse in the winter (unless the house is for a very small, short-haired dog that gets cold easily). If you decide to go ahead and put extras in the doghouse, be sure that they are durable and not easily destroyed in case the dog decides to chew on them, and that any extras can withstand wind, rain and snow.

In conclusion, building a doghouse doesn't have to be overly complicated - in fact, it can be easy. Just remember to keep things simple. Use an easy-to-follow doghouse blueprint or tutorial. Make sure you plan and prepare so you know what to buy and have all the supplies ready. Don't be afraid to ask for help if you need it - many home improvement stores like Lowe's offer help for a plethora of small home projects. You don't have to go all out for building materials. A lot of the materials can be gotten from a discount home improvement store like Lowe's, from excess supply at a lumberyard, and even from a junkyard. Using materials from the aforementioned places will help you save money on building a doghouse. Building a doghouse can be both wallet-friendly and fun! Your dog will be sure to appreciate having a cozy place to relax. So stop procrastinating, get out there, and build a doghouse.

Step by Step Guide to Building a Dog House

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