Free Dog House Plans - 3 Tips on How to Make a Good Dog House

When making your dog house, be careful if you are relying on free dog house plans. I used some of them when I build my first one and I had to do an other one the following year because I did a lot of mistakes. Let me tell you what I did wrong.

We suddenly realised that our dog was spending a lot of time inside the house while we were at work during the day. Since we have a fenced yard and he is not a barker, we taught that he would be a lot happier outside. So I decided to build him a dog house and give it a try.

I quickly went online and found some free dog house plans.They did not say much about what to use, in fact it was just a drawing with measurements and a picture of the actual completed project. I taught that would be good enough to built it.But there are things I did not know that I wish I knew so I could do it right the first time.

Be Careful What Material You Use

First mistake: I just bought some of the cheapest plywood to build my dog house.I did not realised that plywood is pressed wood and when it gets wet, it softens and bubbles. The layer on top separate from the middle.Next thing I noticed after a few months is a bunch of ants sharing the place with my dog. Besides my dog started to chew the corners and pretty fast the dog house started to look like hell.

Later I learned that only rot resistant, untreated, bug proof wood such as cedar should be used to built a dog house. That is a very good thing to know but my free dog house plans did not specified it. Remember that treated wood contains toxic chemicals that could make your dog sick if he is a chewer.

Make a House That Fit Your Pet

Second Mistake: The house I build was way to big for my dog. The perfect house should be just big enough for the dog to get in, turn around and lay down. If the house is too small, he will not want to go in after a while. If it's too big, the house will not warm up in cold temperatures.

Build Your dog House With Insulation And a Compartment

The walls, the roof and the floor of your house should have a layer of styrofoam in between two layers of wood. This will keep it cool in the hot summer months and warm in the cold winter temperature. Also don't do the same silly mistake like I did to put a large door right in the middle. The door should be on one side and there should be a panel inside to split the living area in half. Your dog has to find a place to protect himself from the wind and the rain.

So thanks to free plans, I completely messed up this project and I had to redo it from scratch. Thank god I found some real good dog house plans and got it right the second time. To find those plans go to http://www.woodworkingplansonline.blogspot.com and enjoy building your project!

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Free Large Dog House Plans - As They Say, You Get What You Pay For

Having any kind of pet inside is a lot of work. But having a large dog inside can be an even bigger challenge, specially if they are not house trained. You end up with furniture being chewed up, things knocked over and off of tables with their powerful wagging tails, and even worse than that, if they aren't potty trained to let you know when they need to go outside, your house will smell like dog piss. And the larger the dog, more dog hair will be shedded all over everything in the house.

Even with these problems, it is hard for most dog owners to not want the family dog inside with them at all times. However, you will find if you build them the right type of doghouse that will keep them warm and dry and put their favorite toys in their with them, they will be quite happy with their own bedroom, so to speak.

You can go to your local pet store and buy a pre-built dog house, but you will spend a small fortune and may not have exactly what you want. You can also go online and check out the free large dog house plans. Beware though that if you go for one of the free dog house plans, you may only be getting a detailed drawing and possibly a material list, thus you get what you pay for. However, if you are willing to spend a few bucks you can get a good set of plans designed by a professional, which will include a complete material list, cut sheets, and step by step instructions.

By getting a good set of dog house plans, you will have a complete list of materials in order to budget your project. Take the list to two or three of your local lumber yards and get prices. You may find you can save at least 10% on your materials by doing just this. The cut sheets that come with your set of plans is also a major help. They will show you exactly how to cut your pieces of wood (length and angles). This will definitely save you time and probably a little money too by not having to scrap pieces that aren't cut correctly.

When choosing the wood to build your dog house, keep in mind that pressure treated wood is not safe for you dog if he is a chewer. You can however use it for the frame work of the dog house because your dog won't have access to it. Pressure treated wood is full of chemicals which eliminates rot and insect damage and could make your dog sick if ingested. For the exterior and interior walls, you have two choices, use natural wood or a composite type material. When you are ready to paint, it is recommended to use a good quality sealer and exterior enamel paint, it will last longer and be easier to keep clean.

If you live in a cold climate, you may want to insulate the walls and to choose the right size dog house. You want your dog to be able to move around comfortably, but you don't want too much extra space inside. If the dog house is too large, it will be hard to keep warm with your dogs body heat. If you are in a hot climate, having a larger and more roomy dog house makes sense. You want to make sure there is plenty of ventilation and shade to protect your dog from getting over heated.

You love your dog but don't like the mess and destruction in your house? Why not build a comfy and safe dog house for him.

Don't know where to start? Check out these Dog House Plans [http://www.diyshedplans.net/diy-doghouse-plans.html], and save time and money.

For more DIY Wood Projects, check out this site: [http://www.diyshedplans.net].

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Free Dog House Plans - Are They the Best Choice For Your Dog?

Do you have a problem with dogs that live in your house? Do you dread coming home, afraid you will find your furniture chewed, or even worse, urine or feces soaked into your carpet? If like me you don't have the money to keep repairing and cleaning your house, you should consider building an outdoor dog kennel. Building the right dog house will keep Fido happy, safe and cozy outside as well as inside.

There are many available dog house plans, some of which are free, others not. If you search the internet for free dog kennel plans you will find many listed, but beware, as the saying goes you get what you pay for. While some free dog house plans contain all the information you need to make a safe, comfortable kennel, others may provide only simple plans, assuming you have at least basic woodworking skills. No matter what you finally chose, be certain to use dog house plans that list all required materials and tools, and which provide step by step instructions and diagrams.

When selecting a set of dog kennel plans, be certain that they meet the needs of your dog and climate. Your dog needs shade in the summer, protection from the cold and rain or snow in the winter and plenty of ventilation to keep humidity down. Have an enclosed area that you can put a bed in, or fill with an insulating material such as straw to keep your dog warm during the winter months.

It may be tempting to build a large dog house, thinking that your dog will enjoy the room, but you need to remember that the dog kennel is warmed by your dog's body heat. When the weather is colder a smaller area will be easier to warm and thus more comfortable for your dog; in fact all your dog needs is enough space to stand up, turn around and lie down. If you don't have a fenced in yard you may want to buy a set of dog house plans that incorporate a run so you dog can get some exercise.

A final important thing to remember is that if you are building a dog house because your dog chews they will likely chew their kennel. You must use untreated wood, sealed with a non toxic outdoor paint as pressure treated wood is injected with chemicals that are toxic to dogs if eaten.

Visit www.dachshundtrainingtips.com for more tips and advice on effectively training your dog.

We enjoy sharing resources about dog training. In doing so we have created relationships with certain experts and in recommending their products may receive compensation for doing so.

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