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How to make a D.I.Y. dog house

By Bunnings magazine /

DIY dog house with dog inside

Step-by-step guide to making a D.I.Y. dog house

This D.I.Y. dog house is a great project to take on over a weekend. Thanks to its slot-together construction and bold palette of primary colours, this D.I.Y. doghouse has a cute Lego-like vibe. Designed for a mid-sized dog, you can scale it up or down to suit your canine and it’s a super-fun project you can get done quickly.

A genuine off-the-shelf hardware hack, the frame is made from inexpensive PVC plumbing pipes cut with a humble hacksaw and transformed with spray paint, then connected with elbow and three-way joints – no glue needed! The tent cover is made from tarpaulin and wraps around the three sides of the frame, providing a groundcover for a mattress pad. Trimmed with cloth tape to give a neat edge and prevent fraying, the tent cover has slits for the pipes and tabs that wrap around and are secured with Velcro. It’s a spray, slot and stick job!

Project tips

1. Preparation is key for a professional paint finish, so use a plastic primer and spray paint on the PVC pipes and joiners.

2. Leave paint to dry fully before handling the parts and be careful not to scratch the finish with your fingernails, watch or jewellery.

3. Measure twice and only cut once! But this 3m x 1.2m pup tent cover is cut from a 3.6m x 3m tarp, so there is room for error.

Safety tip: Always wear the appropriate safety equipment (safety glasses, ear muffs and a mask, for example) and always follow the instructions for the product or equipment.

Steps

  1. 1

    Cut PVC pipe

    Clamp each PVC pipe to a workbench and mark five 800mm (ridge and base poles), four 600mm (roof poles) and four 200mm (uprights) lengths. Cut pipes to length using a hacksaw. Sand cut edges and wipe away dust.
    A pair of hands cutting a PVC pipe
  2. 2

    Paint pipe pieces

    On a drop sheet, spray plastic primer on all the pipe pieces, joints and elbows; leave to dry. Spray-paint all the pieces and joiners in three colours, applying several light coats, and leaving to dry after each. Using the diagram above, mark and cut the tarpaulin with scissors.
    A gloved pair of hands spray painting a PVC pipe
  3. 3

    Assemble the dog house

    Trim the tarp edges with cloth tape and attach Velcro strips. Insert the ridge and two base poles in the slits. Assemble frame, fold over tarp and secure with Velcro.
    A pair of hands attaching a velcro strip to a tarp
  4. 4

    More snooze spots for dogs

    Explore the range of cosy pet beds for pampered pups.

     

    Photo credit: Jonny Valiant. Diagrams: Stephen Pollitt.

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Health & Safety

Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.

When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.