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7 DIY Dog Tents You Can Build at Home (With Pictures)

Nicole Cosgrove Profile Picture

By Nicole Cosgrove

white Chihuahua in grey teepee tent

If you feel like spoiling your pooch with some digs of his own, the following ideas are fun, easy to assemble, and make beautiful second homes for your furbabies. The only thing that’s missing is a way to call room service—but then again, that’s what barks are for.

Below we have seven plans that teach you how to build a dog tent of your very own.

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Top 7 DIY Dog Tents

1. Woodshop Diaries Dog Tent

DIY DOG TENT
Image Credit: woodshopdiaries

Don’t worry, you don’t have to be handy with a chop saw to make this adorable tent from Woodshop Diaries. All it takes are a few dowel rods, some fabric, and a sewing machine.

The result is a little teepee that your pooch will feel safe and secure in—and more importantly, one that will make for some cute photos to upload to Instagram.

  • Skill Level: Intermediate – basic sewing skills

Materials
  • 2 yards of tent teepee fabric
  • 1 yard of pillow fabric (optional)
  • Thin pillow or bedding
  • (4) ¾″ dowel rods (32″ length)

Tools
  • Fabric scissors
  • Measuring tape
  • Thread
  • Pins

2. The Sorry Girls Dog Tent Idea

This tiny little treasure comes courtesy of The Sorry Girls, and it’s perfect for a pug, bulldog, or Chihuahua.

It’s a great way to give your dog his own space inside the house without having to sacrifice too much space of your own.

  • Skill Level: Intermediate – basic sewing skills

Project Details
  • Fabric
  • Dowel rods
  • Twine
Tools
  • Sewing machine
  • Ruler
  • Scissors
  • Pins

3. Tent Idea from Ultimate Pet Nutrition

DIY Pets- How To Make a Stylish Dog Or Cat Teepee
Image Credit: ultimatepetnutrition

Ultimate Pet Nutrition suggests this teepee, which is perfect for putting over a comfy pillow or bed. It can even be used to cover up a litter box if you also have cats in your home.

Best of all, the plans are easy to modify for larger dogs, so this one isn’t just for the Pomeranian lovers in the house.

  • Difficulty Level: Beginner – basic sewing skills

Project Details
  • Dowel rods
  • Twine
  • Canvas

Tools
  • Scissors
  • Sewing machine

4. DIY Tent by Mad Pup Life

DIY NO-SEW DOGGIE TENT
Image Credit: madpuplife

If the thought of using the sewing machine makes you cringe (and guard your fingertips), this option from Mad Pup Life requires no sewing at all.

It uses iron-on hem tape instead of stitches, so it’s quick, easy, and nearly as durable as the real thing.

  • Difficulty Level: Beginner – basic crafts skills

Project Details
  • Iron-on hem tape
  • Dowel rods
  • Fabric
  • Twine

Tools
  • Tape measure
  • Clothes iron

5. HGTV Dog Tent Idea

Perfectly Portable Pup Tent for Easy Summer Shade
Image Credit: hgtv

This model from HGTV is collapsible, so you can choose to only bust it out on particularly hot summer days if you like.

It’s perfect for putting over a bed, and you can even stash a water bowl and chew bone under it if you want to give your pooch 5-star service.

  • Difficulty Level: Intermediate – basic woodworking

Project Details
  • Fabric adhesive
  • Fabric
  • Dowel rods

Tools
  • Drill with a spade bit
  • Ruler
  • Marker
  • Rubber mallet

6. Top Dog Tips Tent

This model from Top Dog Tips is much sturdier than most of the other options on this list, and it’s also less attractive.

That won’t matter to your dog, though. All he’ll care about is having a space of his own—and one that provides remarkable protection from the elements at that.

  • Difficulty Level: Beginner – basic crafts skills

Project Details
  • Large plastic bin
  • Zip ties
  • Rubber mat

Tools
  • Box cutter
  • Marker
  • Tent stakes

7. The Whoot’s Dog Tent

This Pipi Tent from The Whoot offers a great vantage point for your toy dog to hide out and watch the world go by. It’s plush, comfortable, and best of all, easy to make.

It looks so comfortable that you may just be tempted to crawl in yourself!

  • Difficulty Level: Beginner – basic crafts skills

Project Details
  • Wood
  • Dowel rods
  • Twine
  • Fabric
Tools
  • Glue sticks
  • Scissors

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Go Camping in Your Own Living Room

Learning how to build a dog tent should only take an afternoon if that, and they’ll give your pup an incredibly comfy spot to hang out (when he’s not bothering you for a treat or a walk, that is).

While they may not be hardy enough to survive a camping trip, they’re perfect for camping out and watching TV in your living room—and let’s face it, isn’t that the more civilized way to live?


Featured Image Credit: Phuttharak, Shutterstock

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