How to Build a Wooden Dog Crate

One New York Times piece revealed that in the United States alone, 60% of dog owners consider their pups to be a part of the family just as much as their own partners and children. The majority of those owners also let their dog sleep in their bed with them.

While there’s nothing wrong with this, some dogs can benefit from having their own dog crate that’s built, designed, and decorated just for them. Much like how you would like to have a personal space for yourself, your dog would also appreciate having that.

Crating your dog is a personal decision, but there are numerous benefits if you’re training a puppy, teaching your dog to be independent, or merely looking to provide your pup with their personal space. If your dog has specific health issues such as arthritis, a wooden dog crate can also help ensure that they’re receiving the support they need in terms of comfort and care instead of simply relying on your mattress as a bed.

Want to give your dog the space they deserve?

You can create a personalized crate built specifically for them. Before we learn how to build a wooden dog crate that’ll delight your pup and allow them to rest and relax in peace, let’s take a look at the benefits of a dog crate and what you should consider before building one.

Benefits of Using a Dog Crate to Train Your Pup

If you’re the parent of a puppy, a dog crate is almost essential, especially if you tend to leave them home quite a bit while you work or head out to run errands. Crating them while they’re home alone is a way to ensure you’re protecting their safety. If you leave them out to roam the house, they could chew cables, fall off stairs, or get into other dangerous areas of the home that might cause them harm.

Other benefits of using a dog crate to train your puppy or adult dog include the fact that you’re helping them learn to become independent and helping them stick to a schedule (which puppies love!). Crate training during the evening is a good way to help anxious dogs develop a sense of independence.

And if your dog is new to the household or is still a puppy, using a crate is an excellent way to help them develop sleep and potty routines. It can also help to ease a new or young dog’s anxious feelings about the new or unfamiliar environment as it’s a smaller place where it can feel safe in. This is better than allowing it to roam the whole house, which can be terrifying.

If you’re concern that your new puppy might feel anxious being in a crate alone, you may want to put in some toys or chew bones for it. You should also throw in a blanket so that it’ll feel safe in the crate. You can check out this article on What to put in a puppy crate and keep it happy for more ideas.

4 DIY Dog Crate Tips

Before learning how to build a wooden dog crate, we suggest arming yourself with some basic tips. From preparing your workspace to figuring out what size crate your dog will need, here are 4 great tips for your DIY dog crate projects.

#1: Measure Your Dog Before Building the Crate

This is crucial! You need to ensure that you’re building the right sized dog crate for your dog, especially if you’re planning on allowing the dog to continue using the crate even when they’re an adult.

As a general rule of thumb, your dog should be able to stand up, lie down, and sit up in the crate without feeling uncomfortable or hitting their heads. They should also be able to stretch their paws comfortable without feeling constricted.

We’ve created a helpful guide on What Size Dog Crate Should I Get for My Dog, but if you’re going to measure them, be sure to measure both their length and height and don’t worry about including the tail.

#2: Think About the Crate’s Location

The benefits of building a wooden dog crate include the fact that you’re able to design it however you want. You may want to keep in mind the layout and design of your house because you can make your dog crate look like furniture.

This means that if you’re planning on storing the crate in a unique area of your home, you’re able to cut the wood to fit the space’s dimensions. It can fit in with the whole look and feel of your apartment’s design so that it does not stick out like an eye sore.

Be sure to consider this before you start building as it might affect your decision regarding what kind of dog crate to build. We’ll talk about getting creative with the design of the bed inside of the crate below.

#3: Purchase High-Quality Materials

What kind of wood is best to use for a dog crate?

The answer depends on where you’re planning to put the crate. If you plan on keeping the crate outside, we recommend using a water-resistant or weather-resistant type of wood. Water-resistant plywood and impregnated wood are two great options for outdoor use.

On the other hand, if you’re intending to keep it indoors, then it may not need to be weather resistant. However, it also needs to be durable in order for your dog to use it for a longer period of time.

#4: Think About Getting Creative

As mentioned above, you will want to measure out the space where you plan to keep the dog crate as you might find that you have the space to get a little creative. While the main goal is to create a space where they are able to be enclosed while you’re away or while they’re sleeping, that doesn’t mean you cannot make it look unique.

Some creative ideas for dog beds and crates include bunk beds, bone-shaped doggy doors, or turning the crate into an end table like this ecoFLEX crate. This, along with the Casual Home end table crate, are both great examples of what we mentioned above where you’re able to work the crate into your existing space and design it so that it feels as though it’s an additional piece of furniture in your apartment.

How to Build a Wooden Dog Crate

Now, it’s time to get down to work! Follow along with our step-by-step guide on how to build a wooden dog crate. Keep in mind that these 9 steps are simple steps; if you’re going to get creative, you’ll need to make minor adjustments along the way.

An important tip is to first make a list of the materials you will be needing and to have everything ready before you start. This includes reading up on how to drill holes and having the necessary tools ready.

#1: Build the Bottom Frame

To build a wooden dog crate, you’ll need to start with the bottom frame first. After measuring your dog, you’ll likely have a good idea of how long and wide the crate needs to be. Add a couple of inches (no more than two if they’re a small breed dog or four if they’re a large breed dog) to the total and then prepare the base.

We suggest pre-drilling holes into where you’ll put screws or nails into place as this will prevent the wood from splitting. The base is just a frame, not a full base, so you can use wood that measures about 44x44mm or something similar. Remember to cut out blocks of wood for each corner of the base (four in total) and screw those into each corner.

#2: Build the Side Frames

Using your measurements, build the side frames accordingly in the same way that you built the base frame. Pre-drill holes before screwing anything together. After you’re done, it should look like you have an open box that’s connected but lacks the actual walls that keep your dog inside.

At this point in the process, we suggest measuring the full size of the crate as it is before proceeding just to ensure you’re on the right track (and can fix anything major before it’s too late!).

#3: Make the Roof Waterproof

If the crate is for outdoor use, you’re going to want to make the roof and perhaps the sides of the crate waterproof and watertight. To do this, you’ll need to staple a pond-liner foil from edge to edge on each side of the crate (aside from the bottom).

This means that you’ll need to measure five squares or rectangles for each side of the crate you have. Take those pieces of pond-liner foil, staple them on each side of the crate, and proceed to the next step.

#4: Cut Out the Floor

Depending on the type of flooring that you choose (it doesn’t have to be the same wood as the rest of the crate, or even wood at all), you’ll now need to cut it out and place it on top of the base. Pre-drill holes for countersunk screws. It’s important that you use these specific types of screws as it will ensure that they are even with the rest of the floor, preventing your pup from catching their fur or paw in a screw that’s sticking out.

#5: Fit the Roof

If your crate is a square, then the chances are that your roof will be the same size as your flooring. If you’re interested in adding an overhang for aesthetic purposes, simply calculate how large you want the overhang to be and cut accordingly. To fit the roof to the crate, we suggest using countersunk screws to hide them within the wood.

#6: Attach the Siding

Now, you’ll do the same with the siding! It’s important here that your measurements be exact because you’ll be fitting them together, and if one is slightly larger than another wall, it will cause everything else to be off.

So, be precise with how you’re cutting the wood panels for the wall sidings and nail them to the frames you’ve built before. We suggest nails here as they’ll likely be sturdy enough with most types of wood and you’re able to paint over them to disguise them against the wood.

#7: Cut Out the Door

Before or after attaching the front wall panel, be sure to mark out where the door will be. It’s essential to decide which kind of doggie door you’re interested in (see the next step) so that you’re able to know how much room to cut out and whether or not you need to leave space for screws or hinges.

#8: Attach the Door

To reduce time, we actually suggest searching for a pre-made door that you’re able to screw onto the front panel. Depending on the style you’re interested in, you can find sliding barn doors, wire doors, or even fancy wooden doors that open and close like a regular door does.

#9: Add Insulation if Needed

Yay, you’re almost finished! Assuming the door and the roof are all fixed without any issues, you might want to next think about adding insulation if the crate will be placed outside or if your dog likes a warm, cozy crate to sleep in.

If you’re not worried about appearances, we suggest looking for insulation pads at your nearest hardware store. They usually come in squares that you can cut down to size. Simply cut out the sizes you need for the walls and roof and then glue them onto the panels with wood glue.

FAQs on How to Build a Wooden Dog Crate:

When dog owners consider crating their dogs, there are bound to be many other questions that arise. Below are some questions that are frequently asked by pawrents when they think about getting a crate for their furball.

Wooden cages can provide a safe and secure environment for dogs, offering an area that your pup can call their own. It is important to find the right size cage, as too big and they may not feel safe, and too small they may feel suffocated or uncomfortable.

When selecting a wooden dog cage, pay attention to the construction design, ensuring it is both sturdy and made from natural materials like wood. Additionally, make sure the cage offers adequate air flow inside for your pet to stay comfortable. Wooden cages come in a wide range of shapes and sizes, making them suitable for all types of dogs.

However, keep in mind that if you have a large animal like a Labrador, you will need to pick one designed with larger dimensions than a Yorkshire Terrier’s cage. Overall, wooden cages are an excellent option for providing protection for your pooch – just make sure you do your research and find one that fits their needs perfectly!

Crating a dog can be a great tool for housebreaking and keeping your furry friend safe, but it is not a one-size-fits-all solution.

Make sure to start your crate training practice for your pup only when you can directly observe them. Young, curious puppies cannot be left in a crate without supervision for the first time due to the potential of harm that could come from chewing or ingesting materials they may find while exploring their new environment.

Only when your new pups are used to be crated should you leave them in it when you are at work. However, keep in mind that it should not be for a prolonged period of time. If you will not be home for many hours in the day due to work, consider sending your furball to a daycare instead.

Crating should also never be used as a form of punishment, as dogs may correlate being confined with negative feelings. Finally, if your pup has separation anxiety or excessive barking when crated, consider other training methods and contact an animal professional for guidance.

Crating a dog at night can be a controversial issue among dog owners. Some people may feel that it is cruel to confine their furry friend, while others believe that it provides safety measures and allows their pup to settle down in a secure environment.

The truth is that the use of a crate depends on the circumstance and needs of both the pet and owner. If done correctly, using a crate can ultimately have positive effects – enabling more consistent management of your pup’s sleeping schedule, providing them with an escape from stress or chaos in the household, allowing for reinforcement of potty training habits, and helping create an overall sense of calm and relaxation for your pet.

If your dog is new to your home, using a crate might be less intimidating for your furkid. You might want to add a soft bed in the crate and move the crate near to your bed so your dog can see and hear you. You can cover the top of the crate to make it less frightening.

With a loyal connection between pets and their owners, it is difficult to consider leaving a beloved canine companion for extended periods of time. It is important to consider proper care for animals being kept alone for long hours, as this can have negative consequences for the dog’s behavioral and emotional health.

Generally speaking, leaving a dog alone for longer than 8 hours in one stretch can cause distress and anxiety if the necessary measures are not taken. Examples of such measures may include setting out plenty of food and water in advance, providing comfortable bedding, providing stimulating activities and interactive feedback toys, taking the pooch on frequent walks prior to leaving the house and ensuring that a trusted pet sitter visits often during the absence.

Take these considerations into account when deciding on how long is too long to leave a dog alone to ensure its well-being and thriving development. The best option is actually to send your dog to a daycare where your dog is able to socialize with other dogs.

If you’re trying to pick the best material for your dog’s crate, there are a few things to consider. First off, the purpose of the crate – is it used for traveling or is it just for a designated place for your pup to rest when at home? Additionally, which size would be most suitable for your pup?

Once these factors have been considered, you can begin thinking about materials. For safety concerns and easy cleaning, plastic is the way to go, with it being either wire-safely mesh or solid plastic.

Where space might be limited metal wire crates come into play as they are collapsible and generally easier on your wallet. However, metal-worried crates may not be suitable if your pup is a biter.

Fabric crate styles come in all sizes and are extremely lightweight and great for portability but unfortunately prone to dirt build up. Finally, many dog owners love to use wooden crates as they can blend in with the surrounding furniture with their beautiful designs. However, these wooden crates can sometimes burn a big hole in your wallet!

All that being said, ultimately it depends on both what type of environment you’re living in and which factor comes second; comfort or convenience?

When considering the bottom of your dog’s crate, something soft and comfortable is essential for their comfort. Blankets, towels or quilts all make excellent choices. You can also buy specially designed crate mats that help insulate against cold floors and provide added comfort for your pup when lounging and sleeping.

To protect against accidents and messes, a waterproof liner such as an absorbent or pee pad is also highly recommended that you purchase and place at the bottom of the crate. This will not only help protect the floor beneath, but also allow you to clean up after your pet quickly without major cleanup efforts.

Regardless of what you choose to put in the bottom of your dog’s crate, make sure it’s completely sanitized before placing it inside so you can give your pup a safe and cozy space where they enjoy!

Choosing the right size can help your pup have a sense of security and safety in their own space. You should measure the length of your dog from nose to tail when selecting a crate size, accounting for several inches of extra room for them to move around. Even if you plan on purchasing a puppy-sized crate, it is wise to make sure it is large enough to accommodate them as they reach their adult size.

Check out our post on What Size Dog Crate Should I Get For My Dog to get a more detailed guide on what the different things you should keep in mind when you are thinking about the size of the dog crate you should purchase.

Final Thoughts

That’s it! Now you have created your doggie crate! However, learning how to build a wooden dog crate can be fun and all but actually building it may take up a lot of time and effort. Not only do you have to make the crates yourself, you will also have to buy the materials and to ensure that you do not make any mistakes when fixing the parts.

If after reading all about the steps, you realise that it’s much too tedious, there’s actually an easier way to still give your best friend a space of their own.

You may want to consider buying ready-made ones instead of building one yourself. These commercially made wooden dog crates can still fit your desire to have them fit into the look and feel of your house design. They also come in various sizes and prices that fit your budget. The best part is that you can save time and hassle from having to create them yourself as they will be delivered right to your door-step.

How to Build a Wooden Dog Crate

Benefits of Using a Dog Crate to Train Your Pup

4 DIY Dog Crate Tips