5 Easy Ways to Spruce Up Your Dog House This Weekend

Many mutts can't get enough of their dog house, and it's no wonder why. Dog houses help pups deal with extreme temperatures and give them somewhere to escape the hustle and bustle of the household. 

Think your pup's pad is looking a little worse for wear? Why not get crafty this weekend and improve your fur-baby's favorite spot with these simple DIY dog house repairs? Here are 5 super easy ways to spruce up your dog house this weekend!

Estimated time: 2–8 hours

Estimated cost:  $50–$100

Supplies:

• Non-toxic paint (e.g., acrylic or latex-based)
• Stencils
• Paint brushes or rollers
  
• Paint trays
  

Murals are a creative and fun way to repaint a dog house. Decking out the dog house with puppy silhouettes, paw prints, and dog bones will make your dog house a much more attractive feature of your yard. Artsy pet parents could even add some psychedelic swirls or personalized calligraphy to make their pup's house extra special.

If you're not much of a "Pupcasso," consider buying some dog-themed stencils to use to make painting your dog house a breeze. Ensure the paint you buy for this project is safe for dogs, especially if your pooch has a chewing habit. Avoid paints containing lead, heavy metals, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and solvents, as they will harm your dog if ingested.

Keep your dog inside or out of the way while completing this project, and let it dry fully before allowing your dog back inside.

Estimated time: 1–3 hours

Estimated cost:  $150–$250

Supplies:

• Battery-powered monitor or tablet 
• Universal tablet wall mount
• Drill 
• Screwdriver

Many couch "puptatoes" love watching television. TV is proven to reduce stress and anxiety in dogs, and there's even a TV channel, DogTV, especially for our canine compadres!

If your pooch can't get enough of their favorite shows, consider installing a tablet in their dog house. Most people don't have electricity running to their dog house, so it's impractical to power your dog house just so your pup can watch TV. 

Instead, opt for an old tablet or battery-powered monitor, which you can remove from the dog house and charge indoors. There are plenty of easy-to-install wall mounts and docks available for tablets. You'll need to drill a few holes in your dog house in order to fit the wall mount. Many of these products recommend drilling holes into drywall during installation, so try to find the thickest wall of your dog house to fit your tablet mount.

Estimated time: <1 hour

Estimated cost: $30–$70

Supplies:

• Raised dog bed
• Fleece-lined bed
• Orthopedic foam bed

One of the easiest ways to make a dog house more comfortable is to upgrade your dog’s bedding. You might want to change your fur-baby's bedding if your dog is getting older or you're experiencing a sweltering summer. Depending on the size of your dog house, it’s a good idea to install a raised bed made of mesh to improve airflow to keep your dog cool. 

As your dog ages, they might have more trouble with their joints, making getting out of bed more difficult. You can make the dog house more comfortable for your aging pup by swapping their current bed for orthopedic foam bedding. 

If you're worried about your dog getting cold during the winter, consider buying a plush fleece-lined bed for your dog where they can escape the chilly temperatures outside. Worried about your pup's carbon pawprint? Check out our complete guide to eco-friendly and zero-waste dog bedding.

Estimated time: 6–10 hours

Estimated cost: $200–$250

Supplies:

• Dog-friendly flowers
• Soil
• Fence boards/wood panels
• Circular saw
• Electric drill
• Screws
• Rubber pond/planter liners

If you're a pet parent with a green thumb looking to plant even more flowers in your yard, why not create a rooftop garden on top of your dog house? Even if you have a dog house with a slanted roof, creating a magical rooftop garden is possible. Building a rooftop garden takes some work but is a fun project for anyone with woodworking skills.

You'll need to measure the dimensions of your dog house and cut down some old fence posts or wood panels with a circular saw so they fit around the perimeter of your dog house. Then, use your wood joinery skills to form a planter which can be attached to the top of your dog house with screws. 

Then, you'll need to fill your rooftop planter with rubber pond lining so moisture doesn't ruin the wood. You'll also want to pick dog-friendly plants for your rooftop garden. Roses, orchids, carnations, and marigolds are just a few examples of non-toxic plants for dogs.

Estimated time: 4–6 hours

Estimated cost: $200–$300

Supplies:

• Small air conditioner
• Circular saw
• Screws
• Waterproof extension cords

Help your canine keep cool in the summer and make their dog house as comfortable as possible by installing a mini air conditioner. You'll find lots of small air conditioners available on the market, some of which are designed especially for dog houses. 

To save space in your dog house, you'll want to choose a window unit. You'll measure and cut a hole in the wall of your dog house, which will fit your air conditioning unit snugly. Air conditioning units require wiring, so you'll need to hook it up to your home electricity. Consider using a waterproof extension cord to avoid any damage caused by rain or moisture.

Have you made any unique improvements to your dog house? Share pics of your pup in their pad with us on Instagram @wag!