Homemade Outdoor Dog Kennel Ideas

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If you’re like most pet owners, you want to make sure your furry friend has the best possible life. That includes giving them a comfortable place to call their own – even when you’re not around.

A homemade outdoor dog kennel is the perfect way to do just that! This blog post will discuss some cheap and easy DIY dog kennel ideas that will keep your pooch happy and safe. Let’s get started!

Homemade Outdoor Dog Kennel Ideas With Instructions

10×10 Fenced Kennel

Winterproofing A Kennel Facility e1661404102156
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This homemade kennel made from metal fencing and a roof of tarp is enough to ensure your pup is safe and secure. With the roof being a tarp, it helps keep rain and snow off, but it’s been said that the roof should be reinforced for snow. This is perfect for those that don’t have a yard or need a more contained area for their pooch.

DIY Heavy Duty Dog Houses

Petmate DIY Heavy Duty Wood Dog House

This wooden kennel, akin to a doghouse, is both stylish and functional. It’s made of weather-resistant materials, so you don’t have to worry about your dog being comfortable in it year-round. Plus, the raised floor keeps your pet off the ground and away from any potential pests.

Pet House

Pet House Build Plans

If you’re looking for something a bit bigger and with more shade, look no further than a pet house where your pooch can lounge in comfort. This pet house features a shingled roof and plenty of ventilation, making it perfect for hot weather. What’s better is this is relatively easy to put together if you’re handy and have the time.

Outside Dog Yard

Are you trying to save some cash? Look no further than this homemade dog yard. With a 24×24 area and sturdy posts, they built this yard is plenty of shade from trees. The dog house attached to it has a heated water bowl and two sections for your dog to go into, making it the best place for them to be in inclement weather.

House With Deck

Cheap And Easy Dog House
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This type of design, much like a cabin dog house, is great for dogs who love to spend time outdoors and bring those energy levels with plenty of daily exercise. It’s large and spacious, with plenty of room for your furry friend to run around and play.

Plus, the slanted roof ensures that your dog stays dry even in the rain. A barn-like shelter is a perfect option if you’re looking for an easy way to provide your pet with a comfortable outdoor space.

Outdoor Dog Kennel with Roof

With welded wire mesh securing your pup, this is a great kennel for those with escape artists. Its raised platform protects your dog from anything on the ground, water pooling, or other environmental events. It’s easy to clean, tall enough for you to walk in, and leaves plenty of space for your pooch to chill.

Homemade Dog Crate for Escape Artists

Houdini Dog Kennel
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This homemade dog crate is great for thwarting escape artists. Its sturdy particle board frame with metal rods has plenty of ventilation and is escape-proof because of its construction. You’ll find if you have an escape artist at home, this would be a great tool to use in their training.

DIY Dog Kennel

Another wooden DIY dog house that adds a bit of pizazz to your yard is this great little house. With a few tools, and pre-cut boards (or boards you cut!), you can have a nice-looking dog house that will protect your pooch from any outside weather and give them a safe space while they’re outside.

Backyard Dog House

Backyard Dog House
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This kennel with its overlapping sides to ensure your dog is safe from rain and snow, is much like the one above and is just as easy to put together. Once your dog steps foot in this miniature palace, they’ll never want to leave!

Easy DIY Dog House for Big Dogs

Made with a raised platform, this dog house made with bigger dogs in mind is a great addition to any yard or back porch for your pup. With its spacious interior and raised platform design, it’s made to keep your pup out of the weather and give them a comfortable haven from which to enjoy nature.

Outdoor Dog Run Attached to House

Inescapable Link Walk
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With easy access to the yard by connecting a kennel run to the house, you’ll have an easy and worry-free time letting your pooch out for the day, for a quick pee, or whatever else they might enjoy. Being attached to the home makes it more convenient and easier to monitor in case of an emergency.

Other Ideas

Outdoor Dog House with Run Attached

Outdoor Dog House with Run Attached
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This DIY outdoor dog house is another straightforward solution to your dog house needs. Made with a pup in mind that just needs a place to hang out, this kennel is a great option for those that just want something mid-size and easy to put together.

House Attached Kennel Run

House Attached Kennel Run
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Another kennel that attaches to the home has a slanted roof for easy cleaning. The slanted roof will also keep rain and snow from pooling on the canopy keeping your dog safe and warm from the elements. Being attached to the home gives easy access in and out for you and your pooch.

Run with Hard Roof

Run with Hard Roof
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If you’re looking for something a bit sturdier, look no further than this dog run. It has a sturdy reinforced roof that is slanted for ease of cleaning and not to allow snow and water to pool. The other benefit to this kennel is it provides a ton of room and shade for your pooch to stay happy and comfortable.

Large Wooden Dog Run

Large Wooden Dog Run
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This kennel run isn’t like others in having an open bottom. So, this may not fit everyone’s needs if you need something with ground exposed. The bonus, however, to this one is that it protects your pooch from all the elements with the kennel run and a doghouse in the enclosure. There’s also an attached storage area for toys, equipment, food, or anything else you might need to store.

Concrete Dog Run

Concrete Dog Run
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This kennel is ideal if you’re looking for something with a bit more durability. Easy-to-clean concrete makes up the bottom of this kennel they used while reinforcing wood and wire for the enclosure.

Dog Yard with Kiddie Pool

Dog Yard with Kiddie Pool
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A dog yard is a great way to keep your pooch occupied outside and safe. The added element of having a kiddie pool built in makes an awesome way to keep your dog cool during the warmer months. A dog house attached to it will give them a reprieve from the elements and give them a nice place to relax.

Dog House with Kennel Attached

Dog House with Kennel Attached
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It’s hard to find attractive-looking kennels, but this one does a good job of looking nice while being functional. The dog house has wire fencing attached for a play area, and the roof over the dog house extends over the entire closure for shade and protection from the weather. Added windows allow for good air circulation and a cross breeze in the summer.

Dog Run with Gravel and Fencing

Dog Run with Gravel and Fencing
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Even spas for dogs have magnificent dog-run ideas! They make this kennel run with traditional wood fencing, ensuring the gate is double-locked for safety. The gravel helps with mud control on rainy days and makes for easy cleanup. It is attached to the side of a building, which helps with shade in the run for pups during the day.

Slanted Dog Kennel

Slanted Dog Kennel
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If you’re looking for a well-shaded kennel and not a dog run, this is a perfect addition to your yard as a safe space for your pup. The slanted roof makes it easy to clean and keeps water and snow from staying. It’s made so owners can enter and clean with ease, and the slanted roof gives ample space for your pup’s comfort.

Wooden and Wire Fencing

Wooden and Wire Fencing
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This kennel run is a great option for those in milder weather as it doesn’t offer much in the way of protection from the elements or sun. However, with its gravel bottom to fight mud accumulating, sturdy wooden door, and solid wire fencing it’s a perfect option for those that just want somewhere for their dog when they’re supervised.

Cottage Dog House

Cottage Dog House

This is an excellent option if you’re looking for something attractive to decorate your yard while still being functional. The cottage design makes for an attractive design while multiple windows and a barn door give good air circulation. These can be opened or closed, and so, depending on the weather it will protect your pup from the elements.

Fenced Kennel with Raised Dog House

Castle Run Metal Yard Kennel

With plenty of shade and a raised dog house, this kennel run makes for a great way to keep your pup safe. The raised flooring ensures no water or pests will get into the doghouse, and the covered roof provides ample shade and keeps your pup safe in bad weather.

Metal Dog House with Tarp Roof

Metal Dog House with Tarp Roof

While this house is a lot smaller than others on this list, it’s more suited for outside use. It’s large enough to accommodate a large dog and would be a great space for a smaller dog to run around safely. The canopy top will help them stay dry from rain or snow, and the sturdy fencing will stand up to the elements with ease.

Cottage view Dog Kennel

Cottageview Dog Kennel

This sleek fenced kennel would be a great addition to any yard. It’s ideal for anywhere you want to put it, such as patios, porches, and yards. The covered tarp is weather resistant and helps keep your pup cool. With its durable construction and easily expandable panels, the kennel is easy to set up in less than an hour with just one person. If you want a larger kennel that are optional panels for sale with the manufacturer.

Lucky Dog Stay Series Studio

Lucky Dog Uptown Welded Wire Outdoor Dog Kennel

Made of alloy steel which is welded for extra support, the manufacturer made special care to ensure there wouldn’t be any sharp parts for your pup to hurt themselves by welding before coating the bars. A waterproof cover keeps them cool and dry, while it’s a simple setup and ease of cleaning will leave you pleased with your purchase.

Fenced Play Pen

DIY Metal Outdoor Dog Kennel
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A fenced playpen is a portable and easy way to keep your pup safe outside. It includes nothing for shade, but you could solve this with a tarp or placing it in a shady area. Hinged doors make it easy to access, though you need to make sure it’s reinforced. Also, make sure the walls of the kennel are taller than your dog can jump. You’d be surprised at how far some can make it if they’re determined!

Commercial 5-Dog Stock Kennel

Commercial 5 Dog Stock Kennel
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This kennel is a superb choice for those with more than one dog in the household and who need somewhere they can stay safe while away. With this kennel, you can either buy it already put together and placed on your property, or this could give you some great ideas on how to make one. The dog doors allow dogs to retreat inside when too hot or cold, and the AC unit helps keep them cool when inside.

Dog House with Fenced-in Run

Dog House with Fenced in Run
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Another house like another kennel on this list, the kennel is a doghouse with a fenced-in area and roof for shade. This is a great kennel for those that just need somewhere for their dog to hang out for a while when they’re away. It doesn’t have ground exposed, so this could be problematic for some, though, the flooring makes for easy cleaning with a good hose down.

Double Wooden Kennel

Double Wooden Kennel
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The last kennel on this list is meant more for those that just need a space to chill while you’re away and is not a long-term solution. Made from wood and about nine feet long, this kennel is great for housing two dogs in separate areas and keeping them safe. The reinforced bars, thicker walls, and roof make this a sturdy kennel for any dog.

How to Keep Your Dog Safe in Their Outdoor Doghouse

The most important thing to remember when constructing a homemade outdoor dog kennel is safety. Make sure the kennel is raised off the ground so your pet can’t escape digging holes and that there are no sharp edges or points that could injure your dog. You may also want to consider adding a roof or covering to protect your pet from the sun and rain.

A homemade outdoor dog kennel is the perfect way to give your pet their space outdoors- best of all, it can be done on a budget!

DIY Doggie Projects FAQ

What are the best toys or items to put in an outside dog kennel?

You can put several items in an outdoor kennel to keep your dog entertained and comfortable. Some of the best options include:

  • Dog toys: A few well-chosen dog toys can help keep your pet occupied and happy for hours.
  • Dog bed: A comfortable dog bed will make your pet feel right at home in their kennel.
  • Water dish: Make sure your pet has plenty of water to stay hydrated while outside.
  • Food dish: Keep your pet’s food close by so they don’t have to go too far to eat.

What kennel flooring should I use?

There are several different types of flooring options that you can use when lining a kennel floor, but some materials are better than others. Some of the best options include:

  • Wooden boards: A sturdy wooden board will protect your dog’s feet from the cold ground and keep them warm.
  • Plywood: Plywood is a good option for those looking for a cheap and easy way to line their kennel.
  • Rubber matting: Rubber matting is a good choice for those living in a colder climate, as it will help keep your dog warm.
  • Matting: Matting is another good option for those living in a cold climate, as it will help keep your dog warm and dry. This would include things such as landscape fabric.
  • Fake grass: This is a great option for those needing something easy to clean and still looks like a quality kennel.

How big should a dog kennel be?

In size, there is no one-size-fits-all answer for how big an outdoor kennel should be. However, a good rule of thumb is to ensure your kennel is big enough for your dog to stand up, turn around, and lie comfortably.

Conclusion

A first-class outdoor dog kennel is the perfect way to give your pet their own space outdoors – and best of all, it can be done on a budget! So don’t wait any longer – start planning your very own DIY dog kennel today! By following these simple tips, you can build a kennel that will keep your pet safe and happy for years to come!

Have you made a homemade kennel for your dog before? Was it easy? Hard? Let us know in the comments!

Meet our writer

Karen is a former pet business owner with 17+ years of experience in training and taking care of pets. She currently owns three dogs (a greyhound, saluki, and golden mix) and has gone through several types of programs to further her education in the pet world.

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