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Searching for a larger space for your canine companion so your furry friend will be happy when they are at home solo while you are toiling away at work? Buying a home is an easy process with the right Realtor but without one it can be quite a hassle. To make things easier I have listed below the Top 5 things to keep in mind when buying a home with a pooch in tow. The list below covers the aspects of a home that dog lovers should always keep in mind while home-shopping but tend to forget when they get swept away in the excitement of buying a home. Let’s keep that excitement up and keep your puppies inside the fence once you’re ready for the big move!
Check the fence: One thing most home-owners with pets do not think of is walking the perimeter of the property to see if there are any glaring holes your pup can fit through that will need to be fixed prior to moving. Is this a project you are willing to take on yourself or will you contract it out once you do move? Above all, you do not want to move into your new home with all the excitement of finding the perfect home for your needs and then walk into the backyard to realize that your pooch went missing!! Having something so alarming happen would definitely put a damper on the excitement of moving in to your dream home! To best avoid this just check the fence prior to moving so you know what to expect. During the home-buying process, the seller cannot fix absolutely everything, but if this is a top concern it’s worth mentioning to your Realtor to see what can be done about it prior to closing.
Backyard size relative to breed: if you have a Husky, Australian Shepherd or other large breed that need a lot of exercise make sure your backyard is large enough for the pup to run laps. If you have a chihuahua, yorkie or other smaller breed a small backyard is perfectly acceptable!
Doggie Door: Will a doggie door need to be installed prior to moving your pup in, does your new home already have one so there’s no need to concern yourself with it or is that something you will need install on your own or contract out? If you’re installing a doggie door on your own you will need to make sure you know how to install it properly to keep the insects and bugs out while giving your pooch the freedom to roam, exercise and most importantly - to potty outside!.
Dog Potty Area: When moving into a new home, it is prime time to do potty-area training. Potty area training is sectioning off a part of your backyard that is used strictly for doggy business. If you start this training from the beginning of the move you can avoid stepping on a bunch of doggy landmines when you have your first big BBQ bash!
Shedding: How much does your dog shed? If you have a Husky or Shepherd, they shed a lot! Huskies will blow out their fur (at least in warmer climates) a minimum of 2-3x a year. If you have hardwood floors instead of carpet, be prepared to sweep daily or at the very minimum every other day to keep the fur (and the dust created by fur) at bay. It is more difficult to see the fur on light-colored carpet so you can get away with cleaning a little less frequently with carpeting than if your home is hardwood flooring or tiled throughout…. This will still cause your vacuum to fill up fast but it is definitely something to think about during your search for your dream home!
These are just a few of the important aspects of a home to think about as a dog owner, not to mention: where will their kennels fit if they are kennel trained and anything else specifically tailored to your precious pooch. This should be a good place to start when thinking about what your wants and needs are as well as any animals you are bringing with you into your new abode. Please let me know what has specifically impacted your home-buying decision in regards to having a canine companion.
