Building Your Own Dog Kennel

Once you start thinking about buying a dog you will automatically start to think of all the accessories that will need to be bought for it: water and food bowls, a bed, toys and the all important dog kennel. Dog kennels are recommended by dog behaviourists as a good place to put your dog when you don’t want him under your feet or if you have visitors are nervous around him. It is important that the kennel is seen as a safe and comfortable place and is not used as a form of punishment. Of course once you have decided that you need a kennel you will be swamped with the huge variety available, from plastic portable kennels, through kennel cages to the traditional wooden dog kennel.

If you decide that you would like a wooden home for your dog then you may find building a dog kennel to be a very satisfying experience. Start by drawing out dog kennel plans which show 3D dimensions of the structure. It needs to be taller than head height, long enough to lie down in and wide enough to turn around in. One of the advantages of producing your own dog kennel design is that you can make it unique and ensure that it has all the features that your dog requires. It is important that the kennel is insulated to keep in the heat in the winter and to keep it cool in the summer and that it is made from good quality wood which won’t warp after a few seasons of rain and sunshine.

Your dog kennel design can be as elaborate as your woodworking skills will allow. Some people have kennels with 2 rooms so that the dog has somewhere to sleep and another room to rest in with a view of the outside world. A flat roof is easier to build but a pitched roof is more attractive if you want something aesthetically pleasing.