I had some scrap lumber around from a previous project that had been dismantled. My nieces needed a dog house for their dog Woody (not a hunting dog). Actually Woody needed the house much more than they did. He was crated during the day when they were not home, which was long hours on some days. Because I wasn't starting with fresh lumber I didn't use plans. That always makes is more interesting and adds time, but it really wasn't so bad.