Asked on May 26, 2013

Not sure what do with this awesome Dog kennel?

I was at a garage sale and this couple were done for the day and were giving this really nice wood dog kennel away for free. It is missing a few dowels in the front. I want to improve upon it It is very sturdy and of nice wood. I don't have a dog but have friends that do. I could give it for a gift to a dog owner or make it into something completely different. Any ideas or suggestions? What could I do with the door where the dowels are half gone? I appreciate your thoughts!
  37 answers
  • Leah Belverd Leah Belverd on May 26, 2013
    That IS awesome! Any dog owner that uses a crate would love to have that! I bet the missing dowels would be relatively easy to replace. Are there 'holes' where new dowels could be put into? or did they break off? I wouldn't think it would be too hard to stain some new dowels to match. But really, the piece is still pretty even if you took the whole door off and left it as more of an open dog bed than a dog crate. You got lucky with that! Let us know what you decide to do!!
  • Kathy McCoy Kathy McCoy on May 26, 2013
    paint or stain it again and use as a end table. Think of all the things you could use the bottom for.
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  • I agree with @Kathy McCoy ! We have a little pup who's back goes out. So we either have her in our laps or she's in her little crate (right here in the den with us). I want my hubby to make something just like this to use as an end table since we have to keep the crate out. This is perfect! I could be painted or sanded/stained to match the decor of one of your friends with a pup! What a great find! :)
  • Julie B Julie B on May 26, 2013
    Or you could leave it the color it is, take off the hinged door, add a shelf to the bottom, where the rails start, nice colored baskets/bins in the shelves, if you can't make the shelf, use those wire racks, usually found at WalMart. It would be great for the kitchen, crafts, plants, fish tank, accent table, etc..
  • Frances Hoffman Frances Hoffman on May 26, 2013
    on the door, you can drill through the bottom rail (cross piece) and replace the dowels, gluing them in, then you can stain them to match, you can make a shelf to fit inside, by having equal distance from top to bottom, using dry wall screws, or wood screws at the corners to hold up the shelf
  • Gail Salminen Gail Salminen on May 26, 2013
    @ what a great piece. I agree with the end table idea, and you could add wine storeage on the bottom, or a place to store books. Here are some comments that @Mary I. recieved about her antique kennel - http://www.hometalk.com/diy/upcycle/q-what-would-you-do-with-this-769786 You may want to ask her what she decided maybe she can provide an updated pic. Thanks for posting :)
    What would you do with this?
  • Kat Tellez Kat Tellez on May 26, 2013
    Dowels are very cheap and easy to replace. Personally I'd repair the door and paint the whole thing with white chalk paint, but that's just my aesthetic.
  • Kimberly Noelle Kimberly Noelle on May 26, 2013
    I would take the missing dowels out and put a piece of tin in place of them, stain it or maybe even paint it and use it as an end table. It would be great to store your favorite books or magazines next to the sofa.
  • Shabby Paints Shabby Paints on May 26, 2013
    http://shop.hobbylobby.com/products/elliptical-aluminum-sheet-756601/ I've been looking for something to use these sheets on. You can leave them as is or even paint them. Would give it a great industrial look. Could also add old caster wheels that lock for easy moving. What a find!
  • MARY T MARY T on May 26, 2013
    Beautiful. I have seen this on catalogs used as an end table and dog kennel which is perfect for a pet. You sound very generous. I would opt for a update and give is as a gift. Most friends would be delighted! Best wishes!
  • Judy Judy on May 26, 2013
    I'd take the door off, put in a shelf just below where the dowels on the sides are & make a drawer for the bottom.
  • Glenda Clark Glenda Clark on May 26, 2013
    You could just send it to me. Then you wouldn't have to worry about it.
  • Linda Spickard Linda Spickard on May 26, 2013
    i could take it off ur hands!! take the door off,maybe even add a shelf and varnish it, making it into a cool plant holder!
  • Pamela Bendall Pamela Bendall on May 26, 2013
    remove dowels, add frosted glass. And maybe a shelve inside. Then paint or stain. Great end table.
  • Color Natural Decor Color Natural Decor on May 26, 2013
    I think it would be great if you could fix it and give it as a gift to a friend with a dog. Most dog crates are ugly but this is a very nice one. Replace the missing dowels and put a latch on the front give it a coat of paint and a crate pillow if you like and some one would be crazy happy to have it.
  • Vicki Vicki on May 26, 2013
    add plant grow light bulb under the table for live plants as ur end table or add light under the table to display pretty stuffs like collections on shelves or just bottom of the end table. nice for wine bottles to display with light on them.
  • T. J. T. J. on May 26, 2013
    Install locking casters, take the good wood on one side to fill in where the broken door is, Install a mini frig. & Wine cooler on side where you removed the good wood, Will make a great Bar for Bar-B-Que's on Deck or Patio; if you don't have a covered patio or deck, it can be rolled away for storage.
  • Belle Belle on May 26, 2013
    You could use hog wire on the door...remove the other dowels..and staple hog wire on..then trim it out with trim...it would be cute.
  • Carol M Carol M on May 26, 2013
    I like less is better..replace dowels, add casters, leave the finish alone..we always can use an extra table so let the dog sleep next to you..wonderful find. I'd use it as a table or night stand in 2nd bedrm:)
  • Sweet Papaya Creative Sweet Papaya Creative on May 27, 2013
    Wow, There are so many different and great ideas! I have to think on this one, everyone I have asked either has one or doesn't want to put their dog in one. So maybe leaning toward the decor ideas. If I had a dog, I would love this piece. I will be sure to post pics when I finish it! Again thank you for your help!
  • Dianne Kurtz Dianne Kurtz on May 28, 2013
    I love that.But if you have a dog,why not fix it up as a fancy dog bed.You could take the door off and make it a nice get away for your dog(if you have one).
  • Sierra Coe Sierra Coe on May 28, 2013
    I would turn it into an awesome Terrarium personally (taking out all the dowels & replacing them with screening/glass), but if you want to keep it for yourself & don't plan on getting a dog- taking the door off & adding a shelf to it will make a lovely end table or plant stand.
  • Mssmatch Mssmatch on May 29, 2013
    whatever you decide just double check the floor because if it was used to crate a dog I would bet at one time or another he went potty!
    • Sweet Papaya Creative Sweet Papaya Creative on Aug 18, 2013
      @Mssmatch Good point! After I read this comment. I looked and it is perfect. It looks as if there was never a dog in here. There aren't even any scratches.
  • Ginny Masterson Ginny Masterson on May 30, 2013
    You could donate it to someone that fosters dogs so they could have a decent home to sleep in.
  • Christine Christine on May 30, 2013
    I love the idea of donating it!!! People who foster animals are angels and it would be a nice piece for them to have. For someone who may not ALWAYS have an animal, a regular crate might be too expensive to buy and can interfere with decor - especially when there's no puppy to make it look good :) They could probably use it as a table too!
  • Rebecca D Rebecca D on Jun 07, 2013
    I'd use it as a fur friends fully open get away. But firstly... remove all slat(s) / dowels, so the head and or body doesn't get stuck between. Better to be safe then sorry.
  • Tammie S Tammie S on Aug 18, 2013
    Replace with a nice metallic, breathable mesh and frame around the mesh on the inside so the dog won't get hurt. Then resell if you don't have a dog. Paint with a milk or flat paint and distress if it needs it.
  • Sweet Papaya Creative Sweet Papaya Creative on Aug 18, 2013
    I appreciate everyone's ideas! I love the idea of putting in some mesh to make it a little safer and then painting it (wanted to try milk paint anyway!) and then donating it. Does anyone know where I would donate it to that would make sure it went to the right place. Also what should I do with the bottom? Is it good to put in a removable cushion or leave it bare for sanitary purposes? I don't have a dog can you tell?
    • Anna M.S. Anna M.S. on Aug 12, 2016
      If you get this reply, what did you do with the dog crate? By the way, a dog owner knows best places to get a blanket/cushion/dog bed for the crate.
  • Tammie S Tammie S on Aug 18, 2013
    It would originally have had a cushion.And would need one for comfort. If you are going to donate it, I wouldn't bother with paint. Especially if it is in good shape. Maybe just put a cushion in it. You can find on most anywhere.
  • Mssmatch Mssmatch on Aug 19, 2013
    great! Have fun re-purposing this!
  • Viltcen Viltcen on Feb 14, 2015
    You could repurpose and turn this into a seat/chair with storage compartment. lots of work though!
  • Anna Ibarra Anna Ibarra on Jun 07, 2016
    Oh I love it. I love it more for what it is a dog kennel of my little dog. I would just try to match it up with my decor. However, if you don't want it as a dog kennel, put an extra shelf inside and can be game board storage . Or books, etc. as an end table.
  • Anna M.S. Anna M.S. on Jul 12, 2016
    My first thought was NO! Don't repurpose it! Dog owners would love to have a good furniture quality dog crate that compliments their living spaces instead of shouting "DOG." Clean up, insert hardware cloth, and sell at a profit at your next garage sale or contact your nearest rescue shelter for donating, please!!!
  • Annie Doherty Annie Doherty on Jul 26, 2016
    Anna I love your suggestion, I know a couple of dogs who would love this quality kennel. A little bit if work could make a nice little profit towards your new great buy, good luck.
  • Annie Doherty Annie Doherty on Jul 26, 2016
    Or once finished donate it to a worthy cause and pay forward, you were given it by generous people you could make someone else's day. USA in common with our Countries struggle with abandoned pets,as mentioned by previous poster. Foster carers do this valuable work to save the lives of pets for no reward, just with generous and caring hearts, I'm sure there must be someone local to you who would be delighted to be gifted this kennel, just a couple of alternatives? Good luckwith whatever you choose.
  • Teresa Lowry Teresa Lowry on Jul 27, 2016
    Yes, help the dogs!
  • Sherrie Sherrie on Mar 08, 2018

    How about doing some repairs and donating it to your local animal shelter? They are so grateful for any donations.