How to Build a DIY Dog Wash Station

Introduction

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 DIY dog wash 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 on Your DIY Dog Wash Station

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 of this DIY dog wash station 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.

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