Dog Houses Are Easier To
Build Than You May Have Thought
It can be pretty hard to
select a first project if you're just getting into do-it-yourself
carpentry. Something like a spice rack might seem too conceived, and
anyway who doesn't already own a spice rack? Personally, I recommend
sticking to something practical and doing it right. Most people
don't want to start with major pieces such as a living room table,
but all the same it is a great boost of encouragement to be able to
use your first projects to good effect. This is why for pet owners
everywhere, I recommend dog houses as a first project.
There are several reasons why dog houses are a great way to start.
One of the best reasons is the availability of dog house plans. You
can find plans to build anything from a single room doghouse to
large dog kennel houses fit to house a whole pack. Even more
important is the simplicity of the project. Building your own dog
house couldn't be any easier!
Houses for dogs, of course, can get as elaborate as you want them to
just like anything else. For a first project, however, it is always
best to stick with a simple plan, and a simple dog house can be more
than adequate for your pet's comfort and safety. Even heated dog
houses are not very hard to build, necessitating only the addition
of a small coil which can be easily maintained and safely mounted in
the frame. Basically, dog houses consist of nothing but three walls
and the classic slanted roof. They are only slightly harder to
build, in fact, than a box. You can decorate them anyway you want.
As a matter of fact, as a way to include my kids in my first
project, I let them decorate the doghouses themselves. They painted
flowers, stars, smiling children, and all manner of other artwork
all over the sides. By the time they were done, it was a work of
art!
There are a few safety precautions you have to take when building a
dog house. Basically, anything that the dog can chew, scratch, or
tear apart, he or she probably will. Make sure that the wood is of a
good quality that doesn't flake off easily, and that all nails are
carefully pounded in where your dog can't get to them. If you do all
that correctly, you will have a happy puppy with a warm shelter for
many years to come.