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Dog Houses
It can be pretty hard to select a first
project if you're just getting into do-it-yourself
carpentry. Something like a spice rack might seem too
conceived, and anyway who doesn't already own a spice
rack? Personally, I recommend sticking to something
practical and doing it right. Most people don't want to
start with major pieces such as a living room table, but
all the same it is a great boost of encouragement to be
able to use your first projects to good effect. This is
why for pet owners everywhere, I recommend dog houses as
a first project.
There are several reasons why dog houses are a great way
to start. One of the best reasons is the availability of
dog house plans. You can find plans to build anything
from a single room doghouse to large dog kennel houses
fit to house a whole pack. Even more important is the
simplicity of the project. Building your own dog house
couldn't be any easier!
Houses for dogs, of course, can get as elaborate as you
want them to just like anything else. For a first
project, however, it is always best to stick with a
simple plan, and a simple dog house can be more than
adequate for your pet's comfort and safety. Even heated
dog houses are not very hard to build, necessitating
only the addition of a small coil which can be easily
maintained and safely mounted in the frame. Basically,
dog houses consist of nothing but three walls and the
classic slanted roof. They are only slightly harder to
build, in fact, than a box. You can decorate them anyway
you want. As a matter of fact, as a way to include my
kids in my first project, I let them decorate the
doghouses themselves. They painted flowers, stars,
smiling children, and all manner of other artwork all
over the sides. By the time they were done, it was a
work of art!
There are a few safety precautions you have to take when
building a dog house. Basically, anything that the dog
can chew, scratch, or tear apart, he or she probably
will. Make sure that the wood is of a good quality that
doesn't flake off easily, and that all nails are
carefully pounded in where your dog can't get to them.
If you do all that correctly, you will have a happy
puppy with a warm shelter for many years to come.
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