Dogs are great companions and bring a lot of joy to our lives. They also need a comfortable place to call their own, where they can rest and relax. Making your own DIY Indoor Dog House is a perfect solution for giving your furry friend a space of their own.

Building a dog house can be a fun and rewarding project. It’s also a great way to save money, as buying a ready-made dog house can be quite expensive.

There are a few things you need to consider before you start building your dog house. The most important thing is to make sure that the house is big enough for your dog to comfortably move around in. If you have a small dog, you might want to build a smaller doghouse. You’ll also need to take into account the kind of climate you live in, as this will affect the materials you use and the way you build the house.

If you’re not sure where to start, don’t worry – we’ve got you covered. Also, in this blog post, we’ll show you how to build the best little dog house step-by-step. Download and print the PDF plan for easy access and a cut list.

Why Build a Dog House?

Building a dog house has several benefits. It can provide your pet with a space of its own, protect your home from dirt and weather elements, and keep your dog warm in the winter months. A well-built dog house can also add to the aesthetics of your home.

If you have creative ideas, you could make your own cute design and have it customized to your liking.

So, let’s get started with this project!

You also might be interested in other pet projects that I did, such as DIY Rabbit Hutch and DIY Mobile Chicken Coop.

Download Printable Plans in PDF

DIY Indoor Dog House PDF

$8.97

This PDF download includes Cut Diagrams, a List of Supplies, and 3D illustrations with detailed steps to build the project. Measurements are imperial and not metric. Does NOT include SketchUp/CAD files.

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Note: Lumber dimensions are listed as nominal size.  See lumber sizes for actual dimensions vs nominal.

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Dimensions

Step 1 – Cut Bottom Piece for the Indoor Doghouse 

For this project, you need one 4’x8′ – 3/4″ sheet of plywood. I would recommend cabinet-grade plywood; even though it’s more expansive, the surface will look nice and clean. 

First, start by cutting the bottom piece to 24″x18″. For most of these cuts, you will need to use a table saw or Kreg Accu-Cut Circular Saw Track Guide. You could try to use a skill saw, but it’s tough to make a straight cut. Using proper tools will ensure a great end result. 

Step 2 – Cut Left and Right Side Pieces

Next, cut two side pieces to 24″x15″. These pieces will need to have a small opening for fresh air and light to get inside the dog house. 

Place the board on the workbench and measure 2″ from the top and 2″ from the left and right sides. The opening itself will be 2″ high. Once the measurements are marked, draw a 20″ wide and 2″ tall rectangle. See picture for more info.

You will need to use a jig saw to cut out the opening. First, take a 3/8″ drill bit and drill a hole anywhere inside the rectangle. Then insert the jig saw blade into the hole and start cutting following the lines you drew. Next, repeat the process for the other side piece. 

Once the openings are cut, you might need to use sandpaper to sand down any imperfections to make the edges smoother. 

Step 3 – Make the Front and the Back Piece

The overall dimensions for the front and back pieces are the same. The only difference is the front piece has a cut-out for the door. 

Measure 19 1/2″ for the bottom and 15″ for the sides. Then the top triangular section which is 13 3/4″ at 45 degrees. 

Cut out the front and back pieces using a table saw. For the upper triangular section, you might need to use Kreg Accu-Cut Circular Saw Track Guide.

Step 4 – Trim the Front Board of the DIY Dog House 

The front piece needs an inside cut-out with an offset of 2″. Basically, you need to offset the outside perimeter of the board, 2″ inside. See picture.

Once the lines are drawn, similar to step 2, drill a 3/8″ hole somewhere on the inside. Then insert the jigsaw blade into the hole and cut out the inside following the line. 

Use sandpaper to smooth out the rough edges and corners. 

Step 5 – Attach Side Pieces to the Bottom Board

For attaching the boards together, I would recommend not only using screws but also using wood glue. Wood glue bonds the seams and prevents the screws from becoming loose. If you just use screws, over time, the screws might come loose, and the dog house might wobble or sway. 

Place the bottom piece on your workbench and apply wood glue to the 24″ edge. Then clamp the side piece to the bottom board before driving in the screws. Having the boards clamp will prevent them from shifting and misaligning when the screws are screwed in. Now drive in the screws about 5 to 6 inches apart. 

For 3/4″ plywood, I usually use 1 5/8″ wood screw. Sometimes I use 1 5/8″ sheetrock screws because they are thin and don’t split the plywood like the thicker screws. 

Once one side piece is attached to the bottom board, repeat the process by attaching the other side piece. 

Step 6 – Connect the Front and Back Pieces of the Dog House

Similar to step 5, apply wood glue to the seams and clamp the front piece to the dog house. Ensure all the edges are straight and flush, then drive in the wood screws. 

Repeat the process with the back piece. Now you have the frame of the dog house built. 

Step 7 – Cut the Roof Pieces for the DIY Indoor Dog House

The two roof pieces have slightly different dimensions because of how they overlay each other. 

Cut the first piece to 27 1/2″ x 14 3/4″ and the other piece 27 1/2″ x 15 1/2″. With these dimensions, the roof will overhang the dog house by 1″. If you want to change the overhang to 2″, you could increase the measurements by an additional 1″.

Step 8 – Attach the Roof Boards

Once the roof boards are trimmed, take the smaller piece, 27 1/2″ x 14 3/4″, and attach it to the roof with wood glue and screws. Make sure this piece is flush with the top ridge of the roof. Also, check that you have a 1″ overhang on the bottom and sides of the dog house.

Next, take the larger piece, 27 1/2″ x 15 1/2″, and overlap the ridge over the smaller piece. See picture. Attach with wood glue and screws. 

Step 9 – Make the Front Door Piece

There are several different ways you could make the front door. Option one is to use the remaining leftover 3/4″ plywood. Option two is to purchase a 1/2″ thick acrylic transparent sheet on Amazon and build a door from it. The acrylic sheets are much more expensive, but they look much better. 

The acrylic sheets come in several different thicknesses. I recommend using a 1/2″ thick sheet for this dog house. It’s very strong, and you could easily drive in small screws for the hinges and door lock. If it’s less than 1/2″, then the door hinges will not hold as well. 

The measurement for the door needs to be 1/2″ smaller than the cut-out of the front piece. This will leave a 1/4″ gap between the door and the front board opening. 

Cut the front door to the dimensions provided in the picture using a table saw. The top triangle of the door needs to be cut off horizontally to have more air and light inside the dog house when the door is closed. 

You could also customize the door and make additional vertical or horizontal openings. You could have it personalized by adding a sign on the door or a pet’s name.

Step 10 – Attach the Door to the Dog House

To attach the door, you will need a pair of hinges. Place the hinge on the door about 2″ from the top and about 2″ from the bottom. Mark the holes with a pencil. Then pre-drill a hole through the acrylic sheeting before driving in the screws. The plastic sheeting might crack and break off if you don’t pre-drill the hole. Next, attach the hinges to the door.

When attaching the door to the dog house, ensure the gap is 1/4″ between the door and the front piece. You could use a 1/4″ scrap wood to temporarily place it in the gap so that it’s equal all the way around. 

Now, attach the door to the front piece of the dog house by driving in the hinge screws. 

Check to make sure the door opens and closes properly. Then attach the door lock. These door locks come in different sizes and shapes. Pick the best one that you like and attach it to the door. 

Step 11 – Paint the Dog House

There are several different options when it comes to painting the dog house. The first option is to leave it as is without painting. The second option is to use polyurethane. It’s a clear coat that seals and protects the plywood. And the third option is painting it with a specific color or several different colors to your liking.

If you choose option two or three, make sure that the paint/polyurethane completely cures before letting in your furry friend. 

Excellent work; you are done with the DIY dog house. You just need to purchase a 24×18 dog cushion, and you’re good to go. If you have a sawing machine, you could probably make your own DIY cushion for the indoor dog house.

Frequently Asked Questions