DIY Dog Kennel Plans

My wife was pretty upset with me when I brought home an old stray dog that not only smelled bad but appeared to have no idea he was not supposed to use the bathroom in the house. She said if I was going to keep the poor mutt he would have to live outside. So, I went online and typed in dog kennel plans.

I never knew there were so many options out there for a structure you could build to house your pooch. The one I chose also incorporated a dog run as well.



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The important thing to remember is not only does your kennel need to be comfortable for your pet; it needs to be built from materials that will last in a harsh environment. This could mean a pressure treated wood but the chemicals could be bad for your dog, especially if he is a chewer!

The frame and portions that the dog does not have access to can be built with pressure treated lumber but you may want to either use a composite building material or a type of wood, like cedar, the holds up to weather and is not prone to rotting.
Make sure you choose a set of plans that not only allow your dog to enjoy the sun but to get out of it as well and that has plenty of cross ventilation. You will want to provide a sheltered area that you can line with straw or an old blanket if you live in a cold weather climate.

Make sure the kennel is big enough if your dog will be penned up for long periods of time. Not only will your pooch get bored and pick up bad habits if he is too closely penned in but it is unhealthy for him as well.


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While for most people, owning dogs is fun, it also poses many adjustments and careful arrangements. The challenge is even greater for those living in cities and urban areas. Dogs must be kept out of neighbors’ lawns and off the streets. The solution is a well-though-out kennel unit.


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Planning the Kennel

When building or buying a kennel, keep in mind several important considerations that will ensure your dogs’ comfort and promote sanitation through ease of cleaning. You must have a plan that clearly outlines factors such as size of the kennel; where you will place it: does the location allow outside runs and exercises; ventilation and drainage systems; strength and kind of building materials; among others.

Size is an important consideration especially when you are keeping big dogs. The cage must be tall enough to provide considerable ceiling clearance as well as wide enough to allow the dogs to the sit or lay comfortably.

Location is the next thing important thing to consider. It will dictate the success of your project. If your main reason for building a kennel is to prevent your dogs form bothering your neighbors with their barking and smell, you must choose a location farthest from them. Tip: normally, you would not keep more than one dog in a cage to prevent aggressive or playful fights that will cause injuries to the dogs as well as noise. The kennel must also be able to open to a yard where you can release your dogs for exercise.

Your kennel must also allow convenience in carrying out sanitation procedures. It must have proper drainage for waste water and animal wastes. Ventilation is very important especially in hot seasons. There must be sufficient airflow to cool the dogs. But in colder seasons, you must shelter your pets form the harsh winds.

When planning a kennel, always put both your pets’ comfort and your convenience foremost. Build the kennel with considerations you would keep in mind when building your own house.

CLICK HERE for Dog Kennel Plans