How to Build a DIY Dog Wash Station

Bathing your wet, mud-peppered pup can be an epic endeavor. It often involves trailing dirt across your home to reach the bathroom, a sore back from lifting your hound into a high-sided tub before crouching over it, and the pain of scrubbing your bathtub clean afterward. You might spend a small fortune on regular baths at the groomers to avoid the hassle. Or we can teach you how to build a DIY dog wash station to save your bathrooms, backs, and bucks. 

How to Install a Dog Bathtub

If you’re handy, up for a challenge, and have worked with plumbing before, you can DIY this project. But unlike building a DIY dog house for your pup, this project will take most DIYers more than a weekend. You’ll need power tools and wood to build the tub’s frame before installing and setting the shower pan and installing the plumbing features. If you don’t already have running water and a drain system connected in the location where you plan to install your DIY dog wash station, you must hire a plumber to install it before starting. 

1. Choose the Location and Size

A lower station that dogs can walk directly into makes sense for bigger pups. For smaller breeds, one that’s elevated to around 24 inches will save your back when shampooing. Select a shower tray that’s 36 to 46 inches wide, depending on your dog’s size. The guidance below allows for an elevated wash station built between a wall and a unit or between two walls, but you can adapt this to fit your needs.

2. Build the Side Frames

1. Use 3-by-2 stud timber to make two rectangular frames for the sides of the wash station. 

2. Screw each frame into the side wall (or unit) and back wall. The height and depth depend on the size of the shower pan you plan to use and whether you want to make it the same depth as any attaching unit. 

3. Build the Base Frame

1. Make the base frame of the bath using more 3-by-2 stud timber. 

2. Place the wash station waste unit inside the frame while building it. This makes it easier to position two support timbers on either side of the unit. 

3. Drill holes and use 50- or 80-mm screws to fix the base frame to the side wall frames at the desired height, using a level to set things straight.

4. Add additional vertical support with pieces of 3-by-2 stud timber coming down from the base of the frame to the floor.

4. Add the Wash Station Tray

You can use a shower tray pan for a budget, easy-to-install option. Alternatively, purchase a water-resistant wet room tray to cut down to size. Use silicone to attach the tray to the frame securely.

5. Waterproof the Frame

1. Cut waterproof wedi board panels to size to cover the outer base of the frame and the back wall and inner sides of the wash station. These are ideal for tiling over for an attractive finish.

2. Attach the panels with silicone. 

3. Secure the wedi board in place with wedi screws and washers to better seal the structure against leaks.

For an extra layer of waterproofing, seal the joints of the bath area with membrane matting designed for going under tiles. Allow this to dry thoroughly before progressing to the next step.

6. Coat With Tanking

Use a liquid rubber tanking designed for wetrooms to coat the entire surface of the wash station area. Allow the first coat to fully dry for 24 hours before applying a second coat and allowing that to dry for a further 24 hours.

7. Install Faucet and Shower Hose

Install these to fit with your pipework's location and at a comfortable height and position for you to work with. If in doubt, get assistance from a plumber for this part.

8. Tile as Desired

Depending on your design and desired aesthetic, you may want to tile the front of the base section and possibly the base, back, and side walls inside the wash station. After cleaning and grouting the tiles, you can apply white silicone in all bath corners as an extra precaution against leaks.

How Dog Bathtubs Work

Photo: Irina / Adobe Stock

Heavy-duty dog bathtubs connect to a drain and an incoming water supply, meaning you need to install it in one permanent spot. Other tubs use a drain hose that isn’t directly connected to a drain, meaning you can move it from place to place.

If your pup likes to romp around in the mud, consider installing a permanent dog bathtub in a mudroom or garage by connecting it to your plumbing system. Then, when you get back from a particularly muddy hike, head straight for the mudroom to wash Fido off and avoid dirtying up the rest of the house.

You can also easily install a dog bath in your laundry room or spare bathroom. These rooms, including mud rooms, typically already have plumbing systems. Adding another fixture to hook up to the system shouldn’t be complicated. Hire a plumber near you to get the tub in working order.

Dog Bathtub Features

Photo: ArchiViz / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images

A dog bath is essentially just a basin with a drain, hose, and sometimes a showerhead. There are several ways you can kick yours up a notch. Consider incorporating different materials or installing it like a built-in that fits right into your cabinets. Other popular features and accessories in dog bathtubs include:

• Custom tiles

• Steps or ramps

• Built-in leash clips

• Non-slip mats

• Dog hair catchers

• Grooming tables

Why Install a Dog Bathtub in Your Home

If your dog enjoys bath time, consider yourself lucky. For many pups, the tub is the last place they want to be. Wrestling to keep them inside while dousing them with soap and water is a recipe for a big mess. And when it’s finally over, they’re bound to shake all that water onto your bathroom walls. Leaving the job to a professional groomer seems like a perfect solution, but it can get expensive.

In-home dog bathtubs are a great solution that will keep your bathroom clean—and your pooch comfortable. If you regularly take your pup to the groomer, an in-home dog tub could save you upwards of $600 per year per dog.

Dog bathtubs are also much easier to bathe your pet in because they’re designed specifically for them. Both you and your dog will have a much easier time. With a dog tub, you won’t strain your back from kneeling and crouching over the tub while you get Fido squeaky clean. 

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro

DIY dog wash station construction isn’t for everyone. Like installing a regular bathtub or shower, it’s a tricky, time-consuming job that often warrants help from a pro (or two). If you’re not confident with carpentry or tiling, hire a general contractor to help with the overall design and installation of the tub. Alternatively, you can do much of the construction work yourself and hire a plumber to hook up the fixtures to your plumbing system.

You can construct a basic DIY dog wash station for $300 to $800 using a basic shower tray, some lumber, and leftover bathroom tiles. Hiring a professional will be at least double this cost, but you’ll get a finished product that you can count on not leaking, and it’ll look better than a rudimentary DIY design. Installing a station with all the bells and whistles that require work from designers, plumbers, tile installers, and the like can cost up to $10,000.

Lauren Murphy contributed to this article.