How to Build a Custom Insulated Dog House
Pamper your pooch with this perfect-fit palace
This customized doghouse can be made to fit any sized dog and will offer your pooch all the comforts of home - warmth, protection, comfort and privacy. Download our free plans.
Step 1
Size the Parts
To size the parts for your doghouse, make the width equal to your dog's length plus 12". The length equals the dog's length plus 18". And the height equals the dogs height plus 9" in the front and sloping back to the dog's height plus 3" in the back.
Step 2
Build the Base
After you've determined the size of the doghouse, cut the base parts to length from pressure-treated 2x4's. Then butt the ends together and secure the joints with weather-resistant screws. Cut a floor panel to fit from 3/4"-plywood and secure it to the base with weather-resistant screws.
Step 3
Angle the Sides
To keep your pooch dry, the roof sits on angled sides. To cut identical angles, first attach the side pieces together temporarily with double-sided tape. Then clamp a straightedge to the sides at the desired angle and make the cut with a circular or saber saw. Secure each side to the base with weather-resistant screws.
Step 4
Add the Corner Braces
To create a sturdy, weather-tight structure for your pet, corner braces are installed to keep the house from racking and also prevent drafts. Each brace consists of two strips of plywood screwed together. These are then attached to the sides and then to the back and front panels with weather-resistant screws.
Step 5
Install the Partition Wall
The partition wall is an important part of your pet's new home. Not only does it keep out weather and provide privacy, it also creates a space small enough for the pup's body heat to keep them warm. Secure the partition to the base and install a plywood panel angled to match the sides.
Step 6
Insulate the Walls
To help keep your pet warm in the winter and cool in the summer, install rigid foam insulation in the wall cavities. Use either 1-1/2"-thick foam or glue up layers of 1" and 1/2" foam. Cut these to fit and then cover them with 1/4"-plywood. (If you don't, your pup may discover the foam is fun to nibble on.)
Step 7
Cut the Door Opening
Before you attach the front, have your pup stand in front of it and make a mark a couple of inches above his back. Make the width the pup's width plus 3". Center the opening and cut it out with a saber saw. Secure the front to the corner braces and then sand the opening smooth.
Step 8
Add the Roof
The roof is cut slightly oversize to aid in rain runoff. It's secured at the back edge with a weather-resistant piano hinge to make cleaning a snap. Cover the roof with tar paper and install a metal drip edge around the perimeter.
Step 9
Install the Shingles
We used asphalt shingles to make the roof waterproof. Just make sure to use nails that are short enough so they won't poke through the roof and endanger your pet. Start at the bottom overlapping each row and work your way to the top. Apply a bead of roofing cement to the top edge to seal out moisture.
69Project Comments
We welcome your ideas and suggestions. Read through comments from other readers or leave your own.
Doghouses are hard to make. This one seems easy and cool and spacey for the dog that needs it. Thanks for the useful information!!!
P.S - u should probably post more about how to make a hawaiian doghouse-tiki hut!!! I’d LOOOOVE to see that kind of doghouse!!
Bob
May 3, at 12:20pm
A magazine theme would make ur blog look nicer 
Phyllis
Apr 9, at 5:47pm
The roof needs to be insulated too.
The door could use clear heavy duty curtains.
SaGa
Mar 18, at 4:26am
“Size the Parts:To size the parts for your doghouse, make the width equal to your dog’s length plus 12”. The length equals the dog’s length plus 18”. And the height equals the dogs height plus 9” in the front and sloping back to the dog’s height plus 3” in the back.”
Ok fine, HOWEVER! There is a partion in this dog house SO, is this the OVERALL measurments or the individule partion measurments. FOr those of you getting all pissy at those who are asking about dimensions this is a fair question!’
No one
Mar 13, at 12:40pm
I was just curious if treated wood was also used for the corner braces and support beans inside the dog house?
Ryan
Feb 28, at 11:08am
Who are you people that are asking about the plans for the dog house & what size to build it? Better yet, I don’t want to know who you are!! Just a hint, it’s all spelled out clearly in the video. If you people would just listen to what the guy is saying, then you would get it. Unless of course you’re deaf!! Even you people who have never built anything before should be able to build this within a reasonable time frame based on the instructions in the video. Or do all of you who are asking this question learn just by what you see & not at all by what you hear? Use you’re heads, because EVERYTHING is spelled out for you. All you need to do is follow the instructions!! Even my wife who was sitting beside me minding her own business understood all the instructions & she doesn’t build things like this!
anonymous
Feb 21, at 1:33am
What is the slope of the roof?
Rick
Feb 19, at 10:12pm
Dog died inside doghouse. Had to remove roof to extract deceased dog. Now kindling for bonfire.
Raymond Jones
Feb 19, at 5:49am
For everyone trying to get the plan from this video, just go to the main page with the full video, and right under it, theres a description, and just locate where it says download plans and click on plans and it will redirect you to the plans
Edgar C.
Feb 9, at 2:39am
você pode por favor me e-mail a lista de materiais e os planos? que será muito útil . eu vou comprar um yorkshire terrier e um pastor alemão, o yorkshire é para meu filho
Nilson
Feb 8, at 6:19pm
você pode por favor me e-mail a lista de materiais e os planos? que será muito útil. E os nomes das ferramentas, eu vou comprar um cachorro yorkishire terrier para meu filho e um pastor alemão para tomar conta
nilson
Feb 8, at 6:16pm
Can you please send me the list of the materials you used to build the doh house?
Thanks
Octavio
Feb 4, at 6:12pm
How can I get the plans and building list for this dog house?
JR Hayes
Feb 1, at 4:00pm
Looks great, please email me the plans and materials needed for this project.
MeChelle
Jan 31, at 1:38pm
Those of you asking for measurements:
Size the Parts:To size the parts for your doghouse, make the width equal to your dog’s length plus 12”. The length equals the dog’s length plus 18”. And the height equals the dogs height plus 9” in the front and sloping back to the dog’s height plus 3” in the back.
Tyson
Jan 29, at 3:10am
Hey would you send me the blueprints to this video it would help a lot please and thank you
Danny
Jan 24, at 2:14am
I think I’ll build one just like it, because I’ve got 4 small dogs and I think its high time they move outta my shed and into their own home!
James
Jan 23, at 5:12am
You might also want to add a door I used an old piece of carpet cut into strips for easy access in and out and it also keeps out snow and rain
James Lennox
Jan 21, at 7:48am
Hi, great project, could you sent to me the material list and blueprints? I want to do an house for my little gran danois.
Regards,
Joao
Joao
Jan 20, at 6:12pm
will that dog house be big enough for that fat cow? looks kind of small for her fat ass.
also, does said fat cow dress her husband?
what a disgrace to humanity.
on both accounts.
joe smo
Jan 17, at 3:50pm
Thank you so much for your time to help people like me to build a very nice sturdy home for my dog.
Lynette Thames
Jan 7, at 11:33am
Great video! I’m all ready to build my dogs’ house. I have three large dogs (lab, husky, lab mix) and wasn’t sure if I should build three small or one large house. My compromise will be to build one long house with three partitions in it. This way they will have a separate entry and three separate “cubbies” in which to sleep. For those of you that need blueprints and material lists…REALLY???!!! I can watch this video once, make modifications to the plan and build it myself.
BTW, this dog house is for my pets comfort when they are outside during the DAY on cold winter days, when I am away. The rest of the time they are in the house with the rest of the family. If you plan to keep your dog outside 24 hours a day, please be humane and buy a stuffed animal instead.
Sarah
Dec 26, at 5:31pm
From the pics, does not seem the fat lady will fit in the dog house. Better remeasure either the plans for the dog house or have the fatass go on a healthy, life changing diet.
Her husband, dressed in matching color top and short, is a fatass also.
You ought to do better to get better looking models for your videos. Honestly.
Disgusting!
slim shady
Dec 25, at 7:45am
Only an Idiot would put the partition door on the back side of the dog house so that cold air can more easily circulate through. The partition door goes to the front. If you want to see how to build this dog house properly for cold weather see leerburg.com
Ben
Dec 25, at 1:13am
Dear Ron, You did a really nice job. The video and instructions empowered
me to believe I could really duplicate what you and your novice helpers
accomplished. The information you provided was really helpful. I am a
bit disgruntled that many of your readers are so demanding and almost
disrespectful. They seem to be the type that want something for nothing, a
common problem in our great nation. Thanks again Ron.s
Ronald Holt
Dec 20, at 9:26pm
Excellent video and instructions. Wondered what the process for a metal roof would be as we are in a very windy place that tears shingles off in a heartbeat.
Estimated cost of project at the time would help as well, but altogether a very nicely done video which encouraged me to give it a try.
Thanks.
Char
Char
Dec 17, at 9:59am
you posted the plans for the dog house about a month or so ago, my neighbor wnet and got the materials and built it for me TOTAL COST 130.00 and that included his labor!!! my dogs love it (it was built for 2 med size dogs) now I know they will be safe and warm this winter ........Thanks Ron, but I still want the plans for the play house for my grand daughters plz
Rhonda Hiatt
Dec 11, at 10:24am
I have been watching your show for years and been making some things for myself around the house. My only problem is that i can’t afford all the tools that i need, so some of my projects dont come out as nice as yours. This is the frist time i have enter the contest. I’m hoping i will win some of the tools so i can continue to make some of the great projects you have to offer.
Rosa Fowlkes
Dec 10, at 7:15am
HOW COULD I GET THE PLANS FOR THIS EXACT DOG HOUSE AND MATERIAL LIST???? I AM A FIRST TIMER WHO IS WANTING TO TRY AND BUILD THIS DOG HOUSE FOR MY DOG…. I WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR HELP ON THIS PROJECT.. THANK YOU..
ruben fuentez
Nov 30, at 4:34pm
Nice video and well made house. I put one together today and found a few things not in the video, but was able to recover. Guessed on a few braces and framing for insulation. It came out great and the chances of this without your instruction were slim and none. Thank you.
George
Nov 7, at 12:17am
JUST WHAT I WAS LOOKING FOR!!!!! IM MAKING THIS HOUSE TOMORROW FOR MY DOG….THANKX A LOT
eneida
Nov 5, at 1:40am
Ron, wish you had a materials list and a blueprint that
you seemed to use on this site. great dog house plan.
thanks .
Harold
Nov 4, at 3:03pm
I love this dog house and want to know how I get the blue prints to build this.
Bethany
Nov 2, at 10:11am
Love the dog house..but folks word of caution dont get a high energy dog if you are not a high energy person…hate that the dog is outside….basically cause he is not getting enough exercise..he’ll be jumping the fence soon from boredom and then turned into a shelter “we cant handle him”...think before you get a dog..and get one who is a level below your energy level.
Maureen
Nov 1, at 7:53pm
Where can I get the plans for this dog house, would love to build this one for
my dog.
Frank Hubbard
Nov 1, at 12:53pm
I have been looking for a dog house for 2 outside dogs!!! i can do this myself, thank you so much Ron!!!!
rhonda hiatt
Oct 29, at 9:40am
I have seen the video and printed off the building plans I am going to have my three kids under 6 help me with this very simple but great idea of a dog house and we should have a blast as long as they do not work the power tools…
For those who are asking for more than what is needed you might want to just hire someone or go spend the money to have it done for you. I am being nice about the questions I have read above.
Most people work off of napkins where I come from and this is a well put together DOG house building plan with video included for FREE!!! at that for those who are wanting more just think out side of the dog house a TAD bit.
If you need it bigger house just put all of the measurements in to consideration of the size of the dog. Ron H. you have made my dog house building easy and comfort of knowing my dog may have a better house then mine….Just Kidding at least if I have to go to the dog house we will be warm this year….10/19/2011
Thanks again from Ron B.
Ron B.
Oct 19, at 12:03pm
People can be so mean at times. How about just saying thanks? The only way 2 build this dog house is 2 measure your dog n follow the video/instructions (if u are concern about weather add more insulation 2 front n roof of your dog house) GREAT DOG HOUSE THANKS N GOD BLESS
GOLIGTHLY
Oct 18, at 8:14pm
R u people who r asking for sizes, dimensions and plans retarded? If not, I’m really scared for our species. I mean, c’mon, really?!? How can u possibly navigate thru life if u dont have enuf sense to figure out how to build something this simple WHEN IT’S SPELLED OUT FOR U ON TWO WEBPAGES?!? Ron invested his time to put together a thorough set of instructions on his website available FREE OF CHARGE no less and u expect him to read every stupid comment then take even more time mailing every one of u morons asking for more info?!? And people think those in the construction trades r dum….
b.
The_Isle
Oct 16, at 12:29am
Please send me a set of blueprints. I love the design.
angela
Oct 15, at 9:50am
Please email me video 3. I was able to get all to play except that one. I need to see how to cut the angles. Thank you.
Theresa
Oct 6, at 5:16pm
Did you insulate the front of the dog house? It didn’t show on the video, but I am assuming you did. Do you have plans you could email me. My son has a Husky and needs and insulated house for our winters. I like this one.
Laura
Oct 4, at 11:00pm
Some suggestions for a day-use insulated dog house (no partition)
- use 1/2” or 3/4” exterior plywood for outside
- use 1/4” birch paneling for inside walls
- I built an open square base with treated 2x4"s and tucked a sheet of insulation up underneath
- don’t run exterior walls to the ground or the cut edge will wick water; start the walls and inch or so up
- for a 48"x32” house I needed two 4x8’ sheets of plywood, paneling and
1 1/2” insulation board
- use 2x2” to make an open frame inside the roof to hold a sheet of 1 1/2” insulation
- need to seal the cut exposed edge of the door opening at the bottom, so it doesn’t wick water into the plywood
I really like the corner braces since they make it easy to get the walls up and provide a place to attach the inside paneling. Hope Laker likes it!
Birkie
Oct 2, at 12:24pm
While your concept is great ,why did you only do a half way job ? The theme was an” insulated dog house” ,yet only the walls are shown to be insulated. WHY ? Only 30% of your heat loss is through a wall ,while 70+% goes out through the roof and you finish it with a single sheet of plywood !!!!??? You would have been better off just insulating the roof and forget the walls… NOT to mention the floor…you boxed that in fine, but what happen to the floor insulation ? If you live in the northern half of the country (like you do) would you not think of these things ? Would you build your house that way ?
THE MASTER
Oct 2, at 7:37am
Is there any possible way to make this a portable dog house. Military responsbility has me on the move from time to time. My 2 mini dobies would appreciate it. Thanks alot
Robin Yardy
Oct 2, at 2:22am
Could I get a materials, cut list, and blue prints for this dog house. I have three dogs that all get along but will be going into a house. Based on the video I have already added additional width and length to the home. Any help would be appricated.
Jeff Taggart
Sep 29, at 5:55pm
Would love a copy of the blueprints as well! has anybody received anything? Great video though, will help a lot!
Travis
Sep 29, at 1:55pm
Hello, the videos are great. Are the plans and materials list available online for downloading?
richard
Sep 26, at 12:12pm
can you please e-mail me the material list and the plans? that will be very helpful… thank you
ingrid
Sep 25, at 4:35pm
This dog house is awesome. Want to build it for my dog just would like to have the blue prints and material lists. Any way I can get them?
Aleese
Sep 24, at 2:55pm
Hey so u all know it cost more they 200$ and just build it and it cost me 250$ for all i need for it..but it looking good my is 5x4..!!
jason
Sep 20, at 9:14am
Love this design. I have a great dane i will be building it for but i need material list and blue print if possible
Keegen Daniels
Sep 19, at 11:18pm
Could you please send me the plans to the dog house?
sam
Sep 18, at 2:07am
Would I be able to get the blue prints from you? I have never built anything like this in my life, but I would know if I try I could.
Kim
Sep 17, at 4:05pm
loved the video, plz email me the blue prints to try n make it plus material list.
dominique
Sep 17, at 8:18am
Thanks for the video
Terry
Sep 13, at 8:21pm
I love the video and can u email me the buleprints so I can make it ty
jason
Sep 10, at 10:23pm
I liked the video. I want to build this dog house. Could you please email me the printed plans so that I can actually Do It Myself?
Marsia Jager
Sep 10, at 7:55pm
We built this house. It would have been nice to have the materials list for thicknesses and even maybe prints for certain size dogs. The hardest part was the inner wall and trying to decide how to construct it. Our materials cost was $250 without the shingles, roofing paper or paint supplies. The house is stout and should be a great place for our pup to hang out. Now I just hope he uses it. I strongly suggest you build it where it will be…ours weighs about 200 pounds.
Stacey
Sep 4, at 10:21pm
I would use natural sheeps wool insulation from Black Mountain USA
www.blackmountaininsulationusa.com , we have many customers that use it for horse barns.
Mike
Aug 31, at 10:21am
I have one question, I live in AZ where the temp. can reach 115 in the summer. how can i kept the dog hose cool.
joaquin nunez
Aug 28, at 7:47pm
I built this dog house -it’s great. It makes me feel better that the dogs have somewhere to stay warm if it rains while we are away. I even added tile flooring for the hot summer days as well. The only thing that would be better is if my dogs actually used it instead of just sleeping on my kitchen floor or on the couches.
For a person that never uses power tools or even has any type of construction/handyman experience, it really wasn’t that hard to build. So thanks for the blue prints and instructions - it made me look like a pro!
Nancy
Aug 27, at 1:11pm
No need to be nasty or condescending. I have built many things and it would be nice to know the sizes/thicknesses of the needed lumber which was not discussed in the video.
Jeannine
Aug 24, at 9:04pm
Think people!
Everything is said in the movie. Just measure your dog, add apropriate amout of inches and you know how big room your dog need. Now draw a simple plan of doghouse and go store for the materials.
If it is still problem for you, leave this subject, go to store and buy the ready doghouse. Belive me youre not able do do it right in the reasonable time.
Adam from Poland
Aug 17, at 3:13pm
Has anyone been able to find a downloadable materials list for this dog house? I love the plan but need to know what size timber I would need.
Jeannine
Aug 17, at 12:08pm
I would love the plans for this dog house including how to come up with the measurements for our particular dog. Are there plans available and a materials list? I love the two room idea and the insulation. We have a boxer and he is not a fan of the cold at all.
Stacey Ellibee
Aug 15, at 11:31pm
ARE THERE ANY DOWNLOADABLE PLANS FOR THIS DOG HOUSE,AND ARE THERE AND MATERIAL LIST FOR THIS BEGINNER.
janice
Aug 13, at 2:17pm
Are there any plans that can be downloaded for this wonderful dog house?
Beau
Aug 13, at 2:58am
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Thanks for a good plan to start with and the clear instructions. I will make it a little bit heigher myself because it needs to be insulated at the bottom and the top as well. Can you give me the length of the partition wall or the room between the back wall and the partition wall? (it’s not mentioned in your plans or videos).