Life at home should always be great – not just for the humans who live there, but for the furry members of the family, too! When looking for a new home, it’s important to consider how the move will impact the quality of your dog’s life as well as your own. Here are some tips for knowing what to look for when you are house hunting with a dog.
1. Is There Enough Space in Your New Home?
It’s very important to consider the size of your dog when you are house hunting. If you buy a smaller home or a townhouse/condo, having a Great Dane might be completely out of the question. If you have a big dog or plan on bringing one into your family, make sure there’s enough room for all family members – both humans & canines alike!
2. Do You Have a Yard or Nearby Outdoor Area?
Exercise is extremely important for most dog breeds. Make sure to scope out the property around your potential new home. Is there a fenced-in yard? Is there enough space to put up a fence if you wanted to? If the answer to both of those questions is “no”, make sure the neighborhood is safe enough where you can walk your dog any time of day without worrying about lots of traffic.
3. What is the Proximity of Your New Neighborhood to Your Job?
What time do you leave for work? What time do you get back to your house? Does your new commute allow you to keep this same schedule and tend to your dog’s needs? If not, and you will need to leave earlier or come home later than your dog is used to, you should consider hiring a dog walker to come in halfway through the day. This way, your dog will still get the proper exercise and attention he or she needs, and won’t have to change their schedule too much. This will help ease the transition for your pet and make the move easier on everyone involved.
4. Are There Parks & Recreational Spaces Nearby?
If your dog is used to weekend hikes or running free on a nearby beach, consider this when choosing your new home. Are there similar recreational areas close to your new home where you can bring your dog?
5. Is the Neighborhood Dog-Friendly?
When looking for a new home, try to scope out who your new neighbors will be. Are there lots of families who also have pets? If so, you and your dog will probably feel right at home! Do your research to find out if the town you’re considering is dog-friendly.
Everyone deserves a home. The Homes for Dogs Project, a partnership with Coldwell Banker and Adopt-a-Pet.com aims at helping adoptable dogs find loving homes. Together, the pair has helped more than 20,000 dogs find homes and are poised to continue this effort throughout 2017.
