It might sound crazy, especially to your family and friends, but you really should consider your dog when you are remodeling your house. Why? Because aside from the fact that your dog has to live in the house too and you should want him to be comfortable, it can actually make your life easier by ensuring your new style is dog friendly.
Help From the Pros
Higgins Design Studio, LLC is a full-service interiors firm, specializing in the design of small living spaces and pet-friendly design. They believe functionality and ease-of-maintenance are key to a successful interior and certainly a major consideration when pets are part of the family. Heather Higgins, ASID, CID, principal and founder of Higgins Design Studio, LLC., answered a few questions on why designing with the dog in mind is a good idea and a few tips to help get you started on your own “doggy dream home.”
What are some of the “must haves” in terms of a good house design for dogs?
In planning the design of your home, the functional requirements of owning a dog need to be considered.
- Where will feeding stations, pet beds or wee wee pads be located?
- How will food and pet care products be stored?
Accounting for these things in advance, allows dedicated areas to be created or space allocated in the design of general household storage. Pet furniture can also be built-in or custom made to match the style of your living space, helping it to integrate into the home’s design more easily.
Upholstery is one of the most vulnerable targets of pet-related accidents. The best dog-friendly fabric choices really depend on the breed of dog and what issues they have… shedding, drooling, scratching, etc.
It is also important to know that many standard fabrics can now be successfully treated for stain-resistance. This is commonly done prior to upholstering pieces. There are several products available and pros and cons to each, depending on the particular fabric selected and proposed usage.
What are some things people should stay away from if they have dogs?
Fragile items and difficult to maintain finishes should be avoided when dogs reside in a home.
What are some cost-effective ways to make a home more dog-friendly?
When dogs are part of the family, the primary focus of the owners, as they are selecting new furnishings and finishes for their space, should be on durability and maintenance.
How to Get Started
Whether you are doing a full-blown remodel, giving your dog his own room, or just adding a few things to you house to make your lives easier, here are a few products that will get you off to a great start.
Sill Shield – protect windowsills from paw damage.
Indoor dog grass – gives your dog a place to “go” inside when needed, great for condos, apartments, or little dogs.
Doggie Doors – made for both sliding and wood doors, these allow your dog some freedom to move around, even if the door is shut. Traditionally used on exterior doors, why not put one on an inside door? You can keep your privacy while
allowing your dog to come and go.
Pet gates – you can get some really beautifully designed pet gates that allow you to walk through, but keep your dogs out without sacrificing style. (Try FrontGate.com)
Pet Stairs – if you have an aging, small, or injured dog these are a must. They also come in quite a few styles, so you don’t have to settle for the ugly plastic ones at your local pet store.
Pool Accessories – have a pool? Then you should look into dog ramps, dog pool floaties (specifically made so the dog can’t puncture them) and fences for the safety of your dog.
Designer Beds – a fancy dog bed can really add to the feel of your house and actually become part of the décor, rather than detracting from it. You can find almost any type of dog bed nowadays, from Cinderella’s carriage to a Victorian-era couch.
Think about areas of the house that are underused or overlooked and work on turning them into a place for your pup. There are some cool ideas on Pinterest for under the stair dog houses, for example. Most importantly, think about your dog and the type of area she likes – out in the open, under or in things (cave or kennel type place) and plan around what she likes too. Otherwise, you will spend time and money on something your dog will never use.
About the Author
Based in Wilsonville, Ore., animal lover Kristina N. Lotz is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA) and works as a full time trainer. She is the founder of A Fairytail House, a unique all-positive all-sport dog training facility that helps rescue dogs in her area and provides free seminars and training classes for the community. In her spare time, she trains and competes in herding, agility, obedience, rally, and conformation with her Shetland Sheepdogs. She smartly married a Veterinary Technician, who helps keep the fur kids happy and healthy, and provides a quick resource for articles.
Toledo, United States.
