I recently went with a friend to the pet store. She needed a crate to help housebreak her new dog. The prices were out of her range for the size of crate she needed. I was interested in finding a carrier for T’siri, as hers is over ten years old.
There is a difference in home made carriers and those made for use by the airlines. If your pet has to travel on an airplane, it is advisable to buy one approved for airline use. Home made carriers may not be permitted on the plane.
In order for my friend’s new crate to fit into the space, it was designed as a rectangle. The crate should allow the pet to stand up and take a step or two forward and backward. It should allow the animal to lay down comfortably. If he or she is unable to stand or stretch out while sleeping, the willingness to go into the crate goes down the drain.
Some people advocate cramped crates for housebreaking training. I don’t. That’s another article.
My friend’s dog is a Labrador. Lady will not chew on the wood, or mess in a crate. She does have some separation anxiety and tends to remove anything from counters, tabletops and “pop up” in the window when people are passing by.
I designed and built a crate for Lady. She loves it; it’s become her “safe spot.” When she’s in trouble, she heads for the crate, goes inside and lies down. She began doing this without any training. It’s “her private space.” Susan does not violate this space; their relationship is better as a result.
Lady’s crate is nestled under a side table. A table cloth acts as a curtain; Lady can lie in her space when company comes over without being disturbed.
You will need:
- · Measuring and marking tools
- · Plywood, ¼” to ¼” width
- · 2-by-2 boards for framing
- · General woodworking tools
- · Jigsaw or hole saw
- · If desired, chicken wire, 1-by-1/2″ wire or other wire for ventilation
- · Two 1 ½” hinges
- · Door latch
- · Old pillows, blankets or sleeping bag
- ·:
Measure the dog. This sounds like common sense, but it is necessary. You do not need a castle for a Toy Poodle or a shoebox for a Great Dane. It doesn’t hurt to measure the dog in the favorite “stretched-out-snoozing” pose.
Measure the space available. If not enough is available for the dog to be comfortable, choose another spot or make the space larger.
Lady measured 16″ tall, 14″ wide (I gave a little leeway here because I was measuring a wiggly dog) and nearly 36″ long when fully extending during a snooze.
Her crate measures 18″ tall, 24″ wide and 38″ long. She’s comfy and happy.
Step Two:
We cut the floor to the measurements, and cut the sides. We decided not to have a gable roof, although this is possible. For ventilation, we used a hole saw and cut 4″ wide holes in the sides, back, front and ceiling. You never know where a nose is going to poke through and beg for a treat. It’s hilarious.
We attached the 2-by-2’s on the floor and sides to form a frame. The crate is very sturdy. Lady’s wildest dream “running” does not rattle anything apart. The back and ceiling were also attached.
Step Three:
In the front, we cut out the door and attached the side to the front of the crate with hinges. The latch went on the other side.
Step Four:
Lined with old pillows, blankets or an old sleeping bag, these crates are comfortable for your dog.
You can build smaller models for cats as well. If you have multiple cats, make multiple crates. If they want to curl up two or three to a crate, that’s okay. Stack them against a wall to create a kitty condo effect.
We take Lady to the vet using her crate. We can carry it by the holes in the sides. Handles can be attached as well. People love the bright colors of the crate and Lady’s name painted on the front.
You can make these as gifts for pet owners. Make them for your pets as well.
Source: The author of this article has over 40 years of experience in diverse forms of DIY, home improvement and repair, crafting, designing, and building furniture, outdoor projects, RV’ing and more.
