Add a hinged roof to make cleanup and feeding time easier.
Building a dog house with a cement floor is a good way to provide safe shelter for the family pet. A cement floor is better for the dog than a dirt floor for various reasons. The dog will have an area to relax while staying cool in the summer and warmer in the winter. A cement floor is also cleaner for the dog because you can hose it off from time to time and the dog won't be rolling around on dirt.
Instructions
Preparation and the foundation
1. Measure the dog's standing height and weight. Make the dog house higher than the dog by 9 inches and 18 inches longer and 12 inches wider.
2. Dig an area at least 4 inches deep following the measurements determined in Step 1. Place a 2-by-4 beam at each side of the hole to make a foundation box. Secure the form in place using either a hammer or screwdriver. Put nails or screws at each corner connecting the beams together. Put metal or wooden stakes outside each corner to reduce the risk of the form moving. Hammer the stakes into the ground just 3 inches. Fill in the form with cement, making sure the foundation is level with the ground.
3. Use a mag float immediately after pouring the cement. Press down lightly on the cement with your thumb to check that the cement is firm when the thumb makes a slight dent. Move a trowel over the cement to produce a slick finish. Depending on environmental conditions it takes a half hour to an hour for the cement to dry. Keep the cement moist while working by spraying the area with water. Remove the stakes once the foundation has completely dried.
Building the House
4. Cut the four sides with a circular saw according to the measurements in Section 1. Cut an opening on the front panel for a door that meets the dog's measurements and add about 6 inches. Insulate the walls by measuring each area and cutting the installation with a sharp hobby knife to fit. Place plywood over the insulation and attach it to the walls along the sides with screws or nails.
5. Connect one side to the front panel at the corner with a 2-by-4 screwed or hammered in place. Repeat this step until all the walls are connected to form the house. Attach the house to the foundation's 2-by-4s by screwing or nailing through the wall's bottom on all four sides.
6. Cut materials so the roof covers the top while hanging over the side at least an inch. Connect a 2-by-4 on top of one roofing panel and add hinges to the beam's top. Place hinges 8 inches from the middle with one on the left and one on the right. Add another small beam to the panel bottom to screw or nail the roof to the house. Attach the other roof panel to the other side of the hinges. Layer shingles on both sides of the roof.
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