How To Set Up Your Home For A New Dog
Adopting a dog comes with responsibilities as you want to keep your companion in good health and safety. To make your new dog happy, you need a dog room designed with good features. Here are some ideas to prepare your home for a new dog.
Planning a Room for a New Dog in the Home
Getting a dog is an exciting experience as you introduce a new friend into your life. Whether you have one dog or several, you should provide a comfy space that your pets can call home. There are many dog room ideas you can explore that will help you design and build a good shelter for your new dog. If you’re preparing to receive a new dog, here are some tips you could implement to prepare your home.
Gather Supplies
Besides exploring house plans with a dog room, you should gather supplies needed in advance. Prepare the items your new dog will need to be happy. Some of the things you should get include a martingale or flat-buckle collar, identification tag, food and water bowls, and some toys.
When buying toys, look for items the dog cannot swallow, such as Nylabones. Also, consider getting an appropriately-sized crate or pet playpen that’s enough for the dog to stand up and turn around.
If you have information on the kind of food the dog eats, buy a bag and keep it to maintain consistency in their diet. Of course, you can always change their diet on the road, but this should be a gradual process.
Where to Make the Dog Room
While outside is considered a dog’s domain, you should also consider indoor dog room ideas. There should be a designated spot inside the house that they will be comfortable in when leaving your dog alone. Here are some ideas you could try out if you want to create a warm space for your dog.
Under the Stairs
Some of the ideas available include having the dog room under stairs, as this space is often left idle. You can build a lovely house for the dog. While building the dog house under the stairs, ensure it’s slightly elevated from the floor to give your pet warmth and prevent water from entering.
A raised floor is good for the cold months. Explore different ideas available on the internet to find inspiration and get started with the project. Mostly, you’ll need drywall, so also understand how that material can be used, especially if the space is prone to getting wet.
Be creative with the doorway because this is the part that you and guests see first. If the door is unattractive, it can wear on you quickly. Focus on friendly, whimsical touches that will give the space a personal touch that makes it feel at home. Ensure to include a dog bed.
2. In the Laundry Room
Also, you can double up your laundry room by adding a comfy dog bed and the dog’s favorite toys. This allows you to create a multi-use room. You could convert one of the cabinets to a sleeping zone if there’s a pre-existing shelf. Remove the cabinets’ doors to create a space where the dog can enter and leave without requiring your assistance. Of course, you also need to consider the risk of getting wet in this area, so you, if it’s necessary, make the dog room elevated.
3. In the Mudroom
The mudroom is not just a drop zone for jackets and shoes. It can also be the perfect spot to place a dog kennel or discreetly store lashes, chew toys, and food. If there’s an extra bedroom and you look to adopt several dogs, you can convert it to your dog room for the pets.
4. Attic or Basement Space
If there’s a large room sitting free, there are endless indoor dog room ideas you could explore. Basements and attics and areas that serve as flex rooms will offer an open space for your pet to run. Such areas can be perfect for your dog to relax during the day. Just ensure there’s enough padding to protect the pet from adverse weather.
5. Pick a Corner
Sometimes you don’t have an entire room you could dedicate to your pup. With different corners in your house, you can identify the most suitable spot or find a dog closet where you can hang up their seasonal sweaters, their collars, and store winter boots.
Tips for Designing and Organizing a Dog Room
Whether your dog is small or big, you require a lot of stuff. Also, have tools like a ceramic electric kettle to help you prepare the dog’s meals.
Designate a Spot for Toys: Even if the pup doesn’t put things away, a designated toy storage area will help you stay organized. Bins and boxes are a good way to organize toys while making them accessible to the dog.
Install Hooks: Don’t waste time searching for the leash. Install hooks in the dog’s bedroom or by the door to make getting ready for routine walks easy.
Choose Strategic Colors: Among dog room decorating ideas you could implement include adding the right colors to the dog play room. Dogs see color, so find stimulating colors for your dog room décor. Explore apps like Dog Vision HD to pick the right colors.
Pick the Perfect Bed: While you may focus a lot on exploring how to dog proof a room, it’s essential to find the perfect bed for your dog. Set the mood in the room with a comfy bed. For multiple pets, you can build a DIY bunk bed.
Add a Grooming Station: In your senior dog gathering room, you can add a small pet grooming area. This will help you keep the pet smelling fresh. It gives a spot to clean up muddy paws and makes bath time a breeze.
Preparing for receiving a new dog is an exciting process as you get to put your ideas into action. It includes finding the perfect spot to place the dog’s house. You also spend time looking for essentials like a comfy dog bed and foods the dog enjoys.
How did you prepare your home to receive your new dog? Leave a comment below.
Author’s Bio:
Kevin is a content writer for about 3 years. He studied Design and Arts at College in Pennsylvania. A fan of home interior design and, he has taken it upon himself to spread his love for decorating homes by informing people on some of his ideas through his articles.