Today we’d like to introduce you to Armando Ochoa.
Hi Armando, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
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I started DFW Dog Houses on May 15th, 2020, during one of the toughest seasons of my life. At the time, I was working 10–13 hour days in construction, and I was the only provider while my wife was still in school. We had one daughter at home, and my wife was pregnant with our second. That responsibility pushed me to find a way to bring in extra income.
I didn’t have a shop or a fancy setup. I started building dog houses in my backyard with basic tools and a lot of determination. On Sundays I built simple dog houses so customers could come pick them up, because all I had back then was a small SUV — no truck, no trailer. And since people were driving in on weekends, every build needed to be finished on time. Many nights I came home after long construction shifts, turned on my tools, and worked another hour or two just to stay on schedule.
Everything changed when a customer asked if I could install an AC unit inside a dog house. I’d never done it before, but I said yes and figured it out as I went. At that time almost nobody in Texas — especially in the DFW area — was building dog houses with AC. I wasn’t trying to start a trend; I was simply listening to what the customer needed. But once I posted that project online, the reaction was huge. People loved the idea, and that created the first big wave of growth for DFW Dog Houses.
From there, I kept improving the designs — adding insulation, vinyl flooring, cedar accents, AC/heat units, upgraded paint, and more. Every upgrade came from listening to customers and paying attention to their pets’ needs. That process led to new models like the Mammoth Edition and Goliath Edition, and eventually we began building custom houses for all kinds of animals, including tortoises, cats, pigs and goats.
A major turning point came when people from Oklahoma and even New Mexico drove all the way to pick up a dog house. Seeing that opened my mind. If people were willing to travel that far for something I built in my backyard, then maybe the business had more potential than I realized. I started saving money until I could afford a small trailer, and once I bought it, everything changed again.
We began with local deliveries, then an hour away, then two hours. Little by little, we went from local drop-offs to delivering all across Texas — Houston, San Antonio, Austin, Lubbock, El Paso, and many towns in between. That’s when the business really started to grow and reach different kinds of customers.
As our reach expanded, we started receiving requests from all kinds of people — families, breeders, people with special-needs pets, and even officers buying houses for their K9 partners. One moment that meant a lot to me was when a Dallas Police officer reached out about a custom build for his K9 partner. We went through the process, set everything up, and the project ended up being paid for by the Dallas Police Department. It wasn’t about the name behind it — it was meaningful because it showed that even large institutions trusted the quality of what we were building.
Another milestone was our first build-on-site project in San Antonio. Packing every tool we had in Fort Worth and driving hours just to build a dog house from the ground up was something even my own family thought was crazy — and honestly, it was. We had never done anything like it before. But we took the risk, showed up, and got it done. That job opened the door for new opportunities, and not long after, we were building on-site in cities like Houston as well.
Throughout the years, I’ve been blessed with amazing customers — people who believed in my work, came back to order again, and recommended us to their own family and friends. Their trust is a big part of why this business has grown.
Today, DFW Dog Houses has expanded far beyond what I ever imagined when I was building in my backyard. I’ve also started my second business, Bronco Builds, where we focus on storage sheds, patios, pergolas and more. But DFW Dog Houses will always hold a special place in my heart. This is the business that taught me how to talk to customers, how to improve my construction skills, how to solve problems, and how to grow as a builder and as a father.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It hasn’t been a smooth road. One of the biggest challenges for me was having to learn everything on my own. I didn’t grow this business in perfect conditions. I built it in the little time I had, with whatever tools I had, and with whatever energy was left after long days in construction. I didn’t grow up around business owners, so nobody was teaching me how to talk to customers, run estimates, set prices, or handle marketing. I had to figure things out by researching, paying attention, making mistakes, and learning as I went.
Coming from construction, communication was also something I had to grow into. Writing quotes, explaining projects, and talking to clients in a clear way wasn’t something I was used to. Over time I learned how to present things professionally and give customers confidence in what we were building.
Another challenge was mindset. A lot of the people around me weren’t used to thinking about logos, branding, or presentation — and that’s normal. Most come from regular jobs, not from marketing or business. But from the beginning, I always felt that image mattered: how you show up, how you talk, how your brand looks, how you present your work. That vision for marketing came naturally to me, even when others didn’t see it as important.
In the beginning I also struggled with resources. I only had a small SUV, so I couldn’t offer deliveries. Every customer had to come pick up their order, and every build had to be finished on time no matter what. When I finally saved enough to buy my first trailer, things started to change. Little by little we went from local pick-ups to delivering all across Texas. It didn’t happen fast — it was step by step, sacrifice after sacrifice.
One thing I’m very grateful for is my cousin. Since the beginning, he’s been part of this journey. Whenever I had an idea, he encouraged me to go for it. And every time I needed help — late nights, early mornings, weekends — he always showed up. Most people don’t want to give up their free time to go work, and I understand that. But he never hesitated. No excuses. No complaints. He’s been a real part of DFW Dog Houses since day one.
And through all of this, what kept me moving forward was my responsibility to my family. I’ve been providing for my family since I was young. My parents taught me to keep my word and to show up no matter what. That work ethic — staying consistent, treating people right, and giving my best — is what helped me get through every challenge.
We’ve been impressed with DFW DOG HOUSES , but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
DFW Dog Houses is a premium dog-house brand built on quality, honesty, and craftsmanship. We started simple — just me in my backyard with basic tools — but quality has been the priority since day one. No shortcuts, no cheap builds, no rushed work. My goal has always been to create dog houses that feel solid, safe, and worth every dollar a family invests in them.
Today, DFW Dog Houses is known across Texas for custom premium builds with AC and heat units, full insulation, vinyl flooring, cedar accents, modern finishes, and long-lasting construction. We’ve delivered to families all over the state, built on-site for customers who needed something larger, and even created high-end houses for police K9 units. Every project — big or small — receives the same level of attention and pride.
What sets us apart is simple: we care. We listen to the customer, we use good materials, and we build it right. My presentation, my branding, and the customer experience are just as important to me as the construction itself. I’ve always believed that your image, your communication, and the way you treat people matter — and that mindset has helped DFW Dog Houses stand out in a crowded market.
DFW Dog Houses is not a mass-production company. We build premium dog houses with intention, pride, and real craftsmanship. Every build represents our name, and we put heart into every single one.
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
My favorite childhood memories come from growing up in a small ranch town in Chihuahua, Mexico. Life out there was simple and beautiful. We had land, animals, and that freedom you only get in a small pueblo. I went to school, but after school you’d always end up outside — riding horses, helping a little around the ranch, or just running around with friends until the sun went down.
What I loved the most were the family moments. The holidays, the fiestas, Christmas with everyone together — cousins, uncles, grandparents — the food, the music, the laughter. In small towns everyone knows each other, so it always felt like one big family.
Those memories are special to me. They taught me to appreciate the simple things, to stay humble, and to stay close to my roots. Even now, those days in Chihuahua are a big part of who I am.
Pricing:
- Pricing varies depending on the size, model, and custom features of each build. Every project is quoted individually based on the client’s needs and vision.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dfwdoghouses?igsh=MWFrZXhiZHIyZW93Mg==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BeSYzPuZU/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@dfwdoghousesllc?_r=1&_t=ZP-91sgP31JGhT
