Alright, so I decided it was time to give my furry friend a proper outdoor space, and what better way than to build a 6 by 6 dog kennel? I mean, a dog deserves a decent pad, right?
First off, I had to figure out where this thing was going to go. I paced around the backyard for a bit, trying to picture it. It needed to be somewhere that wouldn’t turn into a mud pit when it rained, and also somewhere that wouldn’t become a furnace in the summer heat. Finally, I settled on a nice, relatively flat spot that gets a good mix of sun and shade. It was close to an existing wall, too, which I figured I could use to my advantage.
Next, I had to get my hands on some materials. I’m not made of money, so I was looking for a balance of quality and affordability. Off to the local Tractor Supply Co. I went. They’ve got all sorts of stuff for this kind of project. I browsed around, comparing prices and trying to imagine which panels would be best. I ended up grabbing enough panels to make the 6 by 6 kennel. And hey, it turned out that they offer free in-store pickup if you order online, which is pretty convenient.
Now, I’m no master builder, but I’m fairly handy. I laid out the panels and started connecting them. It was a bit like a big, metal jigsaw puzzle. I decided to attach one side of the kennel to that existing wall I mentioned earlier. Saved me a few panels, and it made the whole structure feel a bit sturdier. It was a single-door design, which made sense to me—easy in, easy out.
The whole thing needed a roof, though. You can’t have your dog getting rained on or baking in the sun. I found a rust-resistant wire top with a solid steel roof frame. It seemed like it would hold up well against the elements, and it fit perfectly on top of the kennel. A bit of a high life for a dog, maybe, but why not?
It took a bit of sweat, and maybe a few choice words when I hit my thumb with the hammer, but I got it done. And you know what? It looked pretty darn good. My dog seemed to approve, too. He trotted right in and made himself at home. Plenty of space for him to move around and play, and it felt good knowing he had a safe and comfortable spot to hang out in when he’s outside.
The whole project wasn’t too pricey, either. I saw some fancy pre-made kennels online going for thousands of dollars, and honestly, I think what I put together is just as good, if not better, because I made it to fit my space and my dog’s needs. Plus, there’s that satisfaction of building something yourself, you know? It’s like, yeah, I did that. And my dog loves it, so that’s a win in my book.
- 6 by 6 dog kennel panels
- A solid roof frame
- Some tools: hammer, etc.
My Materials
In the end, it wasn’t just about building a kennel; it was about creating a better space for my dog, and that’s something I feel really good about. If you’re thinking about doing something similar, I say go for it. It’s a rewarding project, and your dog will thank you for it.
Discussion about this post