DIY Dog House

Having a personal resting place in the form of a shelter is essential for any dog. Cages, enclosures, and doghouses often evoke rejection from many pet owners. And that's a shame. Dogs have an instinctual desire to have a hiding place. The process of mastering and settling into a unique den—doghouses—happens with pleasure. Of course, provided that the animal is properly trained.

Having a dog in a city apartment is no longer surprising. Moreover, apartments are home not only to miniature pets like the Russian Toy Terrier but also to representatives of large breeds. It’s unlikely that you can fit an individual dwelling for a Caucasian Shepherd in your apartment. However, doghouses for small breeds don’t take up much space. While outdoor doghouses and enclosures are primarily made from brick and wood, indoor dog housing is most often made from fabrics and fillers.

You can purchase an interesting accessory for small dogs in a store. You can buy a dwelling for your pet with windows and doors. There are even real dog houses for sale with air conditioning and a swimming pool. But we will talk about small cozy homes for little dogs that you can make yourself and place in any apartment.

Doghouse DIY

When making a doghouse for your four-legged friend yourself, you need to follow some basic recommendations:

• The dwelling should match not only the size of the animal but also its character. The more space there is in the doghouse, the cozier it will be for your pet. We are not suggesting that you build a structure that takes up half a room. But you should calculate the area of the dwelling so that the dog feels comfortable.
• The shape of the dwelling depends on how your dog likes to sleep. If your furry friend snores curled up, then you should make the "building" in the shape of an oval or triangle. If the dog loves to sleep on its side or back, then make the house rectangular. Placing such a dwelling in the corner of the room can significantly save space. In summer, it can be very hot for fluffy pets in a soft indoor doghouse. Therefore, it is advisable to make a structure with a removable roof.

Usually, DIY doghouses are made from soft materials. The base of the dwelling is a filler made of foam or synthetic winterizer. A structure made from any filler is suitable for dogs weighing up to 20 kg. For large breed representatives, the structure should be made of wood.

Cover the doghouse with fabrics of any texture, density, and quality: denim, cotton, canvas, calico, etc. The fabric base must be natural. Synthetic material can become electrified and shock the dog. After such a noticeable jolt, the animal is unlikely to want to approach the dwelling. As an additional material, you can use artificial leather. This material is easy to clean since it does not absorb dirt and dust. You can create additional comfort for the dog and make cleaning the dog’s dwelling easier for yourself with a soft fluffy insert. It’s easier to wash the insert separately than the entire structure.

Tip: When choosing material for the doghouse, pay attention to the quality of the material. A fluffy fabric will trap the dog's fur, quickly making the dwelling look unappealing.

Before making a doghouse, prepare the necessary tools and materials. You will need:

• For the pattern: newspaper, paper, or oilcloth.
• Filler 2-5 cm thick.
• Upholstery fabric.
• Sharp scissors.
• Marker, chalk.
• Sewing machine or needle and thread.
• Zipper or Velcro.

Soft Doghouse

Making a doghouse from foam does not require special skills. By following our step-by-step recommendations, you will create a wonderful home for your dog.

• Before starting work, measure your pet. If you have a puppy, make the house as if for an adult dog. After all, the little one will grow, and it will be uncomfortable for him in a small dwelling.
• Then make patterns on paper or oilcloth. You have two options for making a doghouse. The first is when the filler is inserted into the side walls and the roof.
• Cut the prepared fabric into pieces. Don’t forget to leave 2 cm on each side for seams. Keep in mind that the thicker the filler, the more seam allowance you will need.
• Assemble the side walls of the doghouse. They need to be sewn together. If you plan to insert filler into the walls, then sew a zipper on one side of each wall.
• Insert pieces of foam into the finished elements of the doghouse and zip it up.
• The last step is to connect the bottom with the side walls.

To make the doghouse more stable, you can create a frame from wire or wood. Then, put the soft parts of the walls and roof on them. You can also connect the elements of the future house using Velcro. This construction will allow you to easily remove and change dirty, worn parts. The dog’s house will be perfectly clean, and thus the entire apartment will be too. Instead of foam, you can use polyurethane foam for the bottom of the doghouse. But before covering it with fabric, place oilcloth underneath. This will protect the doghouse from moisture and extend its lifespan.

Cardboard Doghouse

Of course, you can make a doghouse from cardboard. Moreover, its construction does not require special skills or abilities. However, the lifespan of cardboard housing is relatively short. Even if you place an insert or mat on the floor of the dwelling, cardboard will absorb moisture. So consider the practicality of a cardboard den for your four-legged friend.

Instead of cardboard, it’s better to use a crate that is used to transport animals. All you will need are four pieces of fabric for the walls and one for the ceiling, ribbon for decoration (optional), scissors, needle, and thread. Sew the top and side walls together and turn the resulting item inside out. Then put it on the crate. Decorate the joints with ribbon. Don’t forget to cut an entrance for your pet. Alternatively, you can use a wooden box.

DIY Dog Bed

As you can see, it is not difficult to make a soft and warm permanent home for your pet. But if you need a temporary shelter for your beloved pet, then create a bed for it. A temporary bed can even be made from cardboard. For a sturdier structure, you can use an old suitcase, dresser, or nightstand.

Dog beds come in various shapes: rectangular, round, oval, etc. They can have a rigid frame or be frameless. You can fill such a resting place with foam, synthetic winterizer, or even plastic. The simplest option for a bed is rectangular. You will need four strips for the sides and a rectangle for the bottom. A simple resting place for the animal can be made by sewing all the elements together or by making a pattern for the bottom and four sides at once. In this case, you will only need to sew the corners of the sides. So:

• Cut two rectangular pieces from a single piece of fabric. Then add to the required size the bottom the height of the sides on all four sides.
• Sew the details around the perimeter of the bottom on three sides. Insert the filler into the remaining "pocket" and sew up the last side.
• Stuff the sides with filler and sew. As a result, you will get a rectangle with bulging sides.
• Insert zippers or laces into the corners. Tighten the edges with a zipper or laces. The sides will stand up vertically.

The convenience of this design is that in summer, when it’s very hot, the sides can be lowered, and the dog will have a great mattress. For the base of the bed, you can take a wooden or plastic box. Make a cover, fill it with filler, and put it on the base.

And the simplest option is an oval or round bed. Make 2 patterns from two circles or ovals. The inner circle should correspond to the area of the sleeping place. The width of the outer circle should match the height of the sides. Line the bottom with filler and sew the two pieces along the inner circle. Then stuff the sides with filler and run a cord or elastic around the outer edge. Tighten the elastic and call your pet to try out its personal resting place.

You can take the path of least resistance and buy a ready-made bed in a store. But, as you know, no one knows your pet's needs better than you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size doghouse is needed for a Russian Toy Terrier?

The size of the doghouse should match the size and character of the dog. The more space there is in the doghouse, the more comfortable it will be for your pet.

What materials are best for making a doghouse?

Soft materials such as foam or synthetic winterizer are usually used for doghouses. The upholstery should be made from natural fabrics to avoid electrification.

What shape of doghouse should I choose for a Toy Terrier?

The shape depends on your dog's preferences: oval or triangular for those who sleep curled up, and rectangular for those who prefer to sleep on their side.

Can I make a doghouse with a removable roof?

Yes, a removable roof will help provide comfort on hot days by allowing better ventilation inside the doghouse.

Where is the best place to place the doghouse in the apartment?

It is best to place the doghouse in the corner of the room to save space and create a cozy hideaway for your pet.