DIY Wooden Fence Window for Your Dog

As you may know or may not know, Dax, our puppy labradoodle, enjoys chewing on the dog flaps to the doggy door, the outdoor grill, and pretty much anything that makes its way into our backyard. (RIP) We noticed that Dax loves to look outside our windows in our home and he relaxes when he is on the balcony “people watching”. My husband had a great idea and many of my friends also suggested that we put windows in the fence so Dax could look outside and see what is going on out beyond his small backyard.

The hubby got to work and I am very impressed by the end result. It’s been a week since the windows were installed and the dog flaps have stayed put. I hope this will help reduce his boredom and chewing spree. I have to give all my kudos to my wonderful husband for coming up with the idea and making it happen. Please note that we did not put windows in the fence that we shared with our neighbor. I don’t think she would have liked that idea.

Outside view of window

Looking in from the outside

Here is how you can make your own window for your pet:

Supplies
• 1 or 2 – 8’ 1”x2” studs for framing inside of fence window
• 1 or 2 – 8’ 2” trim for framing outside of fence window (choose whichever trim you like)
• 1 sheet of hail screen or diamond screen with plastic sheathing (helps keep enthusiastic dogs from cutting their nose on screen)
• 1 box of finishing nails
• 1 box of #8 1¼ wood screws
• 1/8” and ¼” drill bits for pilot holes
• pair dikes (wire cutters)
• jig saw or circular saw
• Cordless drill
• small staple gun with ½” long staples
• tape measure and pencil
• straight edge

How to:
1. Figure out what size window you want and how high up from the ground (depends on the size of dog). For our Labradoodle, the window is about 2’ above the ground and about 12”x11” in size.
2. Mark fence slats on inside of fence on top and bottom of where you will cut
3. Put one screw in each slats middle and lower runner board where you will cut out the window (will strengthen slats for cutting)
4. Drill pilot holes in 1st slat of the one you will be cutting (gives room to insert jig saw blade for cutting). Not needed if using circular saw.
5. Cut slats to make window (I cut 3 slats which makes for about 12” across)
6. Measure window adding 1” to all sides
7. Cut screen to above measurements using wire cutters
8. Staple screen to inside of window leaving 1” overlay on all sides
9. Measure and cut 1”x2” studs to frame inside of window covering screen overlay
10. If you have a helper, have them hold the stud on the inside of the fence while you go to the outside (they can use a hammer or another piece of wood to keep it steady). If you don’t have a helper drill a couple of pilot holes from the inside out and insert a couple of screws in each stud to secure them to the slats.
11. On the outside of the fence, drill a 1/8” pilot hole through each slat into the stud and then insert screws (Do this for all 4 studs)
12. Now measure and cut trim to frame outside of window. If you chose tapered trim, you will want to cut it at 45 degree angles. But if it is uniform trim, you can cut at 90 degree angles if you wish.
13. Use finishing nails to secure trim to outside of fence framing window
14. Stain wood inside and out to match fence and you are done!