How to Build a Dog House

1.1 Build the floor frame of the doghouse out of pressure-treated 2 x 3s. Cut two 2x3s to 4′ and four to 3′-9″, as shown in the drawing below.

1.2 Fasten together the frame parts with 3″ screws.

1.3 Using a carpenter’s framing square, check the corners to make sure they are 90°.

3.1 To create the floor of the doghouse, cut a sheet of 5/8″ plywood into 4’ x 4’ square, as shown in the drawing below. 

3.2 Secure the plywood to the floor frame with 2″ screws.

4.1 Next, build the two side walls out of pressure-treated 2x3s, as shown in the drawing below. For each side wall, cut four 2×3 wall studs to 2′ long, and two 2x3s to 4′ for the top and bottom wall plate. 

4.2 Assemble the side wall parts with 3″ screws.

4.3 Using a carpenter’s framing square, check the corners to make sure they are 90°.

5.1 Using pressure-treated 2x3s, construct the front wall frame of the doghouse, as shown below. Cut four 2×3 wall studs cut to 2′, and two 2x3s to 3′-7″ to serve as the top and bottom wall plates. Cut another 2×3 to 1′-3″ for the horizontal door header.

5.2 Fasten together the front wall frame with 3″ screws.

5.3 Using a carpenter’s framing square, check the corners to make sure they are 90°.

6.1 Using pressure-treated 2x3s, build the rear wall of the doghouse, using the drawing below as a reference. Cut two 2×3 wall studs to 2′, and two 2x3s to 3′-7″ for the top and bottom wall plates.

6.2 Attach the wall parts with 3″ screws.

6.3 Using a carpenter’s framing square, check the corners to make sure they are 90°.

7.1 Frame the roof of the doghouse out of pressure-treated 2x3s. Cut eight roof rafters to 3′-1/4″, according to the dimensions in drawings below. Miter-cut the upper end of each rafter and cut a bird’s mouth notch into the lower end. 

7.2 Cut two 2×3 bottom chords to 3′-7″, as shown below.

7.3 Next, cut two 2x3s to 1′-2 1/2″, and one to 1′-1″ to form the ridge boards that run along the peak of the roof.

7.4 Fasten together the roof frame with 5″ screws.

8.1 For each gable-end wall, cut two 2×3 studs to 10 1/2″ long, according to the dimensions in drawings below.

8.2 Bevel-cut the upper end of each stud to fit the rafter angle. 

8.3 Fasten the gable-end studs to the rafter and bottom chord with 3″ screws.

9.1 Cover the two side walls with 5/16” grooved plywood siding, using the drawing below as a guide. For each wall, cut a piece of siding to 2′-6 1/4″ x 4′. Fasten the plywood siding to the side walls with 1½” nails or screws.

9.2 Trim the plywood siding with 1x2s. For each side wall, cut one 1×2 to 3′-9″, and another to 2′-3″.

9.3 Secure the 1×2 trim with 2″ screws.

10.1 Cut four pieces of 5/16″ grooved plywood siding to cover the rear wall, using the drawing be- low as a guide. Cut one piece of plywood to 4 3/4″ x 4′-2″, two to 5″ x 2′, and one to 1′-9 1/2″ x 4′-2″. Fasten the plywood siding to the side walls with 1½” nails or screws.

10.2 Trim the plywood siding with nine 1×2 boards. Cut two 1x2s to 2′-6 1/2″, one to 3′-11 1/4″, two to 2′-3″, two to 2′-7 3/4″, and two to 3′-4″.

10.3 Secure the 1×2 trim with 2″ screws.

11.1 Cut 5/16″ grooved plywood siding for the front wall of the doghouse, using the drawing below as a guide. Cut two plywood pieces to 2′-1″ x 4′-2 1/4″. Fasten the plywood to the front wall with 1½” nails or screws, then cut out the door opening.

11.2 Trim out the front wall with nine 1×2 boards. Cut two 1x2s to 2′-6 1/2″, one to 3′-11 1/4″, two to 2′-7 3/4″, two to 1′-10 1/2″, and two to 1′-3″.

11.3 Secure the 1×2 trim with 2″ screws.

Note: if you wish to add insulation and internal sheathing you need to move on to the Appendix on page 35.

12.1 Cut 5/8″ plywood for the roof sheathing, using the drawing below as a guide. You will need two sheets, each cut to 3′-4″ x 5′.

12.2 Fasten the plywood to the roof rafters with 2″ wood screws.

13.1 Next, use 1x3s to make the fascia board and soffit to cover the exposed rafter tails. For each side wall, cut two 4’ long fascia boards, and two 4’ long soffits. Fasten the fascias and soffits to the rafter tails with 2″ screws.

14.1 Cover the perimeter of the plywood roof with aluminum drip-edge flashing, as shown below. You will need about 26 linear feet of flashing. 

14.2 Secure the flashing to the roof sheathing with 1″ roofing nails.

14.3 Staple down building paper over the entire roof, then nail down asphalt shingles, as specified by the manufacturer.

15.1 Next, build the large door that’s attached to the rear wall of the doghouse. Start by making the door frame out of pressure-treated 2x3s. Cut two 2x3s to 1′-8 1/2″, and two to 3′-3 1/2″. Cut another 2×3 to 3′-5 3/4″ to form the cross brace. Join together the frame parts with 3″ screws. 

15.2 Cut a piece of 5/16″ plywood siding 1′-11 1/2″ x 3′-3 1/2″, then fasten it to the door frame with 1½” screws or nails.

15.3 Cut 1×2 pieces to trim out the perimeter of the back door. You will need two 1x2s cut to 1′-11 1/2″, and two cut to 3′-1/2″. Fasten the trim frame with 1½” screws or nails.

15.4 Attach the door to the rear wall with two 3″ hinges, then screw on a door handle.

16.1 Install vinyl flaps to the front doorway to help block out cold and rain. You will need one piece of vinyl measuring 1′-3″ x 1′-9 3/4″.

16.2 Secure the vinyl with 1″ screws.

17.1 To allow hot, stale air to to flow out of the doghouse, use a jigsaw or hole saw to cut a 4 ½” diameter hole in the top of the rear wall, as shown below.

17.2 Set a louver vent into the hole and secure it with sealant and ½” screws.

Now that your doghouse is done, you are ready to finish it with your favorite paint, stain, or clear wood preservative.