Follow the illustration on the left to measure and draw out the back, front, sides, and platform panels on the sheet of exterior safe siding. The dimensions in the drawing are for an average sized dog, but they can be modified to fit the dimensions of your pet. 

Note: The drawing has two floor panels. This is so you can double the thickness of the floor for comfort and warmth.  

Use the circular saw to cut carefully along the lines drawn on the siding. Then cut the entry hole in the front panel.  

Cut one of your 2x4 boards into the following: 

•  Platform sides: Two piece that are 3 in. shorter than the width of the sides of your dog house. 
• Platform front and back: Two pieces that are 2 in. shorter than the width of the front and back of your dog house. 
• Platform legs: Four pieces that are 6 in. long.  

 

• Rip one of your 2x4 boards into 2x2 stock for the frame.  
• From these, cut four pieces that are 4 in. smaller than the short end of the side panels, and four pieces that are 4 in. smaller than the roof line of the front and the back panels of the doghouse. 
• Cut one piece the same size as the short side of the roof.  

 

Using the circular saw, round out the bottom of the platform legs. Make sure they are even for a sturdy base for your dog house.  

Align the tops of the legs with the sides and back and front pieces of the platform. The legs will be flush against the inside edges of the long side of the platform. The front and back pieces with overlap the ends of the side pieces.  

Nail the front, back, and side pieces to the leg, with three nails connecting each side to each platform leg. (You'll be using a total of 24 nails for this step).  

Side Panels: Nail two pieces of the frame flush against the short ends of each side panel. One frame piece should start at the top of each corner, leaving a 3 ½ in. space at the bottom to allow for the side panel to overhand the platform.  

Front and Back Panels: Nail the frame pieces to the roof line of the front and back panels. They should meet at the top and extend along the roof line to approximately 2 ½ in. from the sides.   

Roof Panels: Nail a frame piece flush against the top inside edge of one of the roof panels. It should be centred 5 in. from the edges of the panel.  

Put one of the sides in place by lining up the edges of the side panel with the front and back of the platform. Nail it to the platform at the bottom. Repeat this step on the other side of the platform with the other side panel.  

Attach the back of the doghouse by aligning it with the sides, and nail it into the platform and the 2x2 frames that are attached to the side panel. Repeat this step with the front panel.  

Before you attach the roof, it is very important for the safety of your dog to check if there are any exposed nails. Cut and file down edges of the any exposed nails that could injure your pet.  

Nail the roof panel, with the frame piece attached to it, to the top of the front and back of the dog house. Make sure to get the nails into the frame pieces on the back and front panels. Nail the remaining roof panel to the frame piece on the roof panel, and the frame pieces on the back and front panels.  

A great way to prevent your dog house from leaking, shingles are easy to install, and you can shingle the dog house to match your own.  

• Run the first row of shingles upside down (split tabs up), along the bottom of the roof edges.  
• Using short roofing nails, nail the shingles in place, row-by-row, in the pattern that you desire.  
• Cap the ridge with cut shingle tabs to prevent any leakage from inclement weather.  

Get creative and paint the outside of your dog house! Make sure you use exterior paint that is resistant to moisture, fading, mould, blistering, mildew, and algae.