Are you crazy about your tail-wagging pooch?
I am. I have a black lab, and I adore her! When she first came to live with us, we tried everything under the sun to kennel her when we had to be away from home.
She has separation anxiety which meant leaving her out wasn’t an option. Yet, most kennels were no match for her strength.
Over time, we found giving her free reign of the basement is what keeps her calm and doesn’t mean we return home to a mess and a stressed-out puppy.
If you’re looking for some cute crate options which will keep your dog feeling secure while you’re away, I’m going to bring you some of the internet’s best DIY options and ideas.
Here are the options for your four-legged family member:
1. Large Wood Pet Crate
Ana White has done it again. She created a large wooden dog crate which has a flat surface. This is a great option if you need a place for your pet when you’re away or sleeping but live in a smaller home.
The dog crate could double as an end table. There are easy-to-follow plans to help you with the build, and by the looks of her pups, it must be an amazing space to cozy up inside and sleep.
2. The Fancy Indoor Dog Kennel
Do you have a large breed dog? You know how difficult it can be to kennel them. It’s especially difficult if they have separation anxiety.
This dog kennel has you covered. It looks great, but the sides are made of rebar. The kennel would be highly functional while serving as a nice touch of home décor.
3. The Gorgeous Crate
Would you like to have a dog crate which serves its purpose without being a huge eyesore wherever you put it?
This dog crate looks like something from a magazine. They give you brief instructions on the site, but it states you can email them for a PDF of the plans.
4. DIY Dog Crate Cover
Let’s say you already have a dog crate. They don’t come cheap, and you’d like to use it to get your money’s worth.
However, you have a specific design for your home, and the typical crate isn’t cutting the mustard. You’re in luck. You can build this dog crate cover which adds some charm to the dog crate and makes it function in your home too.
5. The Dog Kennel Update
Are you fortunate to have space outside where your dog can stay and be happy when you’re away from home?
If you’d like to fancy up the space to add a little charm to your property, this site gives fantastic ways to take the typical dog kennel and make it look welcoming.
6. From Crib to Dog Crate
When the baby has outgrown their crib, what should you do with it? If you have a dog, you can put the crib to good use.
They give you step-by-step instructions with lots of pictures to help you transform an unused crib into a gorgeous dog crate you’ll be happy to display in your home.
7. IKEA Dog Kennel Hack
If you’ve tried to purchase a pretty dog kennel, you know you’ll spend a few hundred dollars no questions asked.
What if you bought the typical dog kennel and went shopping at IKEA? This is what one blogger did, and she transformed an IKEA table into an awesome kennel cover.
8. DIY Dog Crate Hack
Are you looking to make your dog crate prettier without requiring much building? You’ll love this idea. They constructed a basic table with a flat top.
However, they disguised the crate even more by using a pretty curtain on a tension rod. This allowed her pooch to have his safe space while still giving her home the look she was going for. If you have a table tall enough to fit your kennel underneath, you could potentially skip all the building and only add the curtain.
9. The Built-In Dog Kennel
Do you have space under a stairwell being wasted? I currently don’t, but I’ve decided if I ever get to build a home, this is how I would have a designated space for our dog.
This person constructed an entire dog condo for their pup under their stairwell. It has a camera, fan, and plenty of room for the puppy to lounge and rest while their family is away.
10. Pallet Dog Crate
If you need a dog crate, but you’re working on a budget, I have a great idea for you. There are no plans, but if you’re crafty, you can most likely look at the picture and use it as inspiration.
The creators of this masterpiece were able to upcycle an old pallet. If you have a larger breed dog, you could potentially work two pallets together to create a larger crate with little expense.
11. The Kitchen Dog Crate
There’s no tutorial to help you along with this idea, but again, if you’re someone who is quite crafty you could use this idea to inspire your own creation.
I love the idea of building a dog kennel into the kitchen island. This gives your dog a space of their own without taking up functional space in your home.
12. The Ten-Minute Pet Gate
As I told you before, our solution for a dog kennel was to avoid the kennel. Our dog does better if we give her the basement when we leave.
However, I still must close the door to keep her in this space. If your dog does better with a gate than a kennel, consider building this easy pet gate in as little as 10 minutes.
13. The RV Dog Kennel
If you’re someone who travels in an RV, it’s probably common for you to take your dogs with you on your adventures.
But they need their space in the RV. Consider turning one of the bunks into a dog kennel. This will give your dogs a safe space to travel in.
14. The Indoor Double Dog Kennel
Are you someone who watches other people’s dogs when they travel? You may need an actual kennel area.
This idea (though it doesn’t come with a tutorial) is a great space for multiple dogs. It’s welcoming and gives the dogs their space while being in a safe location.
15. The Slipcover Dog Crate Disguise
When I lived in a subdivision in my earlier days of marriage, we had a dog with separation anxiety which had to be kenneled when we left because she’d hurt herself in her panic.
We had a dog kennel, but it was ugly and took away from the appearance of our home. You don’t have to deal with the same issue. You can use a slipcover to create a kennel cover. Your dog can feel secure, and your home can still be glamorous.
16. The Wooden Pet Gate
When your dog is little or if you have a smaller breed dog, you may not need a kennel to keep them secure.
Instead, you could build a DIY pet gate to keep your puppy in a safe location when you’re away. It could also be a potential money saver.
17. DIY Collapsible Dog Crate
When you travel with your dog, you may not have the room to bring their normal bulky dog crate. Thanks to this idea you won’t have to.
This tutorial walks you through how to build a durable but collapsible crate. It can make traveling with your pets a little easier.
Whether you have a dog with separation anxiety, or you need a space for your pup when you have company, a DIY dog crate can help.
You can save money by either building your own or purchasing the plain crates but using some of these ideas to dress them up. This will allow for happy trails and tails for you and your dog.
