Our dog frequently returns from her outdoor romps with a big helping of dirt. Sure, I could haul her to the bathtub, getting my clothes and the floor filthy. But now that I’ve built a dog washing station in the garage, the mess never has to come inside.
A pull-out staircase makes it easy for my dog to step up to a comfortable working height, so I don’t have to stoop to wash those dirty paws. And all my cleaning supplies store neatly inside the steps
Getting Started
Every house’s plumbing is different. To see the basic plumbing, check out Figure B. Aside from that, this is a pretty straightforward project: standard wall framing and some tiling. I eliminated the hard part of tiling by using a preformed shower pan. The stairs require precise measuring and cutting, but we’ll walk you through the details.
The size of the dog shower depends on the shower pan you buy, which depends on the size of your dog. So before cutting any parts, buy a shower pan that will comfortably hold your dog. Next, determine the shower pan height. For your comfort working, it should be about the height of your wrists when your hands are at your sides.
To find the height of the walls, measure to your dog’s shoulder and add three to six inches to that. That total gives you the height of the walls above the pan. Keep in mind that design changes might be needed to accommodate the specific shower pan you buy.
I used high-end materials on this project, so don’t let the price tag scare you. You can substantially trim the cost by choosing home center plywood, inexpensive fixtures and tile (or plastic wall panels). You could also skip the stairs, which would save you a bundle on drawer slides.
Build the Frame
With the dimensions and design finalized, build and assemble the walls — 2x4s 16-in. on center — and deck frame (A – F). Support the deck at the desired height while attaching it using temporary blocks on the wall framing. Screw on the deck platform (G), and then cut the drain hole. Size the hole generously so you have extra room if you ever need to work on the drain.
Article source here: How to Build a Dog Washing Station
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