B&T Extra: Tom's Doghouse Construction

The BOB & TOM Show Free Podcast | April 8, 2026
Episode Focus: Chick McGee recounts a DIY doghouse project with his daughter and her friend, leading to playful banter with Tom Griswold, Kristi Lee, and the rest of the cast about architecture, craftsmanship... and whether the doghouse will ever see a dog.

Episode Overview

This Extra episode is a lighthearted, laughter-filled dissection of Chick McGee’s efforts to build a doghouse alongside two 10-year-old girls. The hosts riff on DIY disasters, practical construction concerns, questionable measurements, the priorities of children, and comedic asides about dogs, cats, and unexpected uses for knee pads. The theme centers on family bonding through attempting home projects—even if the project itself turns out… questionable.

Major Discussion Points & Segments

1. Setting the Scene: The Doghouse Project

• [03:06] Chick McGee: Texts pictures of a recently built doghouse to the crew, setting off a deep dive into its design, materials, and backstory.
• [03:16] Chick admits it’s “not very elaborate,” missing features like HVAC, a Florida room, or a patio.
• [03:37] Doghouse has a flat, not slanted, roof—a point of contention due to local weather concerns.

Notable Quote:

• “It’s not very elaborate. I haven’t finished the HVAC, the Florida room or the patio.” — Chick McGee [03:16]

2. The Design Controversy: Form vs. Function

• [03:34] Tom questions if the doghouse has a roof; Chick confirms, but says it's flat, not ideal for weather.
• [04:05] Kristi Lee calls out the flat roof: "Those aren’t going to do anything."
• [04:11–04:24] Chick reveals the doghouse is still inside, in the hallway, not outdoors due to weather.

Notable Quotes:

• Tom Griswold: “You already let the genie out of the bottle by having the doghouse in the house. Done now. Oh, no, it’s never going back in the garage.” [04:11]
• Kristi Lee: “Is it up to code?” [04:26]

3. Dimensions and 'Real' Doghouses

• [04:38] Chick claims the house is “six feet by three feet by three.” Tom instantly questions the math.
• [05:01] Chick admits the girls are ten—they spent all day building it, and the size might be “two and a half” feet wide.
• [05:14] Emphasis from the group that the doghouse is essentially just “a fun little box,” perhaps less functional than intended.

Notable Exchange:

• Tom Griswold: “This whole thing as the Internet would say failed. This is a fail. The whole thing’s a fail.” [05:31]
• Chick McGee: “They had fun. We got to use hammers.” [05:39]
• Kristi Lee: “That is a fun project, though.” [04:25]

4. Child-Led Construction: Tools, Nails & Project Management

• [05:47] The girls had strong opinions on which wood sides faced inside and out.
• [05:52] Kristi: "There is a reason why the 10-year-old girls aren’t project managers."
• [07:12] They used real lumber (cut by Austin at Lowe’s), hammers, and nails, while Chick wore knee pads and supervised.

Memorable Moments:

• Chick McGee: “My one hammer was actually...it wasn’t a claw hammer. It was a mini sledge.” [14:33]
• Kristi Lee: “10-year-olds with hammers, they got very picky about which side of the wood was the outside or the inside.” [05:47]

5. Dog Reaction & Utility

• [06:09–08:59]
  • Tom doubts the dog will use the house, joking it's more like a “cat house” or “Amazon box.”
  • Chick counters that Dungy (the dog) did go inside and enjoyed his basket of toys, water, and food setup.
  • Kristi Lee: “Look at the girls happily blockading Dungy from being able to exit the claustrophobic box.” [07:23]

Notable Exchange:

• Tom Griswold: “I don’t think Dungy’s having a good time.” [07:20]
• Chick McGee: “No, he was fine in there.” [07:30]
• Tom (in dog’s voice, joking): “I’m pissing on one of your legs as soon as I get out of here.” [15:07]

6. Cost, Kits, and Home Improvement Lessons

• [06:49] Chick reveals the project cost $138 just in lumber.
• [06:59] Chick admits nice prefab doghouse kits can be purchased for $98, but the fun is in the building.
• [12:10–12:17] Tom needles Chick: "You’d have something that’s functional instead of a large paperweight in your hallway."
• [12:21] Chick realizes he forgot to have the girls wear safety glasses, narrowly avoiding disaster when a nail ricocheted.

Quote:

• Chick McGee: “I did make one mistake, by the way. I did not have them wear safety glasses.” [12:10]

7. Tipping, Tools, and Chick’s Hardware Adventure

• [11:00] Tom asks if Chick tipped the hardware store employees for helping.
• [11:16] Tom presses: “Give him a 20.”
• [11:16–11:22] Chick describes choosing “the right nails” and the girls going “rogue,” picking up extra signage and stick-on letters for 'Doghouse.'

8. Philosophy: “It’s About the Journey”

• [08:56] Chick: “You have to understand, it’s about the journey. It’s about going to the store and…”
• [09:01] Recollects learning about construction materials as a kid and passing that excitement on.

Quote:

• Chick McGee: “It’s about going to the store and...remember when I was a kid, I didn’t know you could actually buy lumber...” [08:56]

9. Pet Size & Breed Comedy

• [15:20] Kristi Lee asks about Dungy’s breed, leading to discussion of “mini” doodles and Chick’s reminisces about dogs past.
• [16:05] Chick recalls a friend with seven chihuahuas (“they were great little dogs”), with jokes about tiny dogs and the chaos they bring.

Notable Quotes & Highlights (by Timestamp)

• Chick McGee: “It’s not very elaborate. I haven’t finished the HVAC, the Florida room or the patio.” [03:16]
• Tom Griswold: “This whole thing...is a fail. The whole thing’s a fail.” [05:31]
• Kristi Lee: “There is a reason why the 10-year-old girls aren’t project managers.” [05:52]
• Kristi Lee: “Look at the girls happily blockading Dungy from being able to exit the claustrophobic box.” [07:23]
• Chick McGee: “We were building it in my garage. Kelly was upset because I was wearing...special knee pads.” [07:46]
• Tom Griswold: “I have knee pads for when I pleasure men.” [08:38] (uproarious laughter follows)
• Chick McGee: “You have to understand, it’s about the journey.” [08:56]
• Tom Griswold (as Dungy the dog, resigned): “I’m pissing on one of your legs as soon as I get out of here.” [15:07]

Memorable Moments

• Lively banter about questionable DIY skills and whose fault design flaws might be
• Visualizing nervous 10-year-olds wielding mini sledges
• Tom’s running gags about buying an Amazon box or a prefab doghouse instead
• The “cat house” vs. “doghouse” wordplay leading into discussions of euphemisms for brothels
• Chick’s pride in the “stick-on letters” and makeshift signage for the doghouse
• The chaos of managing eager kids in a hardware store

Key Takeaways

• The finished doghouse may not be weatherproof or up to code, but the goal was family fun and learning.
• Sometimes, the DIY experience (and comedy) matters more than the end result.
• Chick’s journey involved navigating enthusiastic kids, hardware store adventures, and the relentless ribbing of his radio friends.
• The dog, Dungy, remains unconvinced.

Timestamps for Major Segments

• 03:06 – Doghouse photo reveal, project backstory begins
• 04:05 – Roof design debate
• 05:14 – Project size, safety, kids with hammers
• 06:49 – Lumber cost, prefab kits discussed
• 08:56 – “It’s about the journey”
• 12:10 – Neglecting to use safety glasses
• 14:33 – Mini sledge as a hammer
• 15:07 – Tom as “Dungy” vents dog’s likely opinion

For listeners who missed the episode: expect a sweet, silly, authentic slice of Midwestern family life, filtered through the BOB & TOM crew’s irreverent humor and seasoned with practical construction advice…of sorts.