How to select the best dog friendly home.

April 26, 2023

If you’re a pup parent who is planning to move, finding the right home for your dog, and for your dog-friendly lifestyle, may be at the top of your list. If you’re choosing your next home with the needs of your dog (or future dog) in mind, we’ve got some tips.

From floor plan and home features to dog-friendly neighborhoods and neighbors, here’s some criteria to determine the best dog-friendly home for your furry family members.

Consider the Floor Plan & Features:

Your needs will vary based on your dog’s breed, size, age and energy level, but here are a few criteria to keep in mind.

Size & layout; you’ll want enough indoor space for your dog to comfortably move around and play, with room for their bed or crate.
Flooring; ensure durable flooring for everyday dog wear and tear, especially for bigger dogs with bigger nails. Bare floors are slippery for dogs and hard to navigate for older dogs, but you can easily add rugs. If your dog is running in and out all day, in all seasons, you may also want to keep floor color in mind (unless you don’t mind constantly washing your floor).
Steps & multiple floors; if you have an older dog or a dog with mobility issues, consider the feasibility of outdoor and indoor stairs.
Need a Dog Door? If so, make sure there is somewhere to install one.
Consider the heat where you live. If you have central air or don’t need central air where you live, you’re all set. But if it gets hot in the summer and you won’t have central air, dogs love cool surfaces like stone, or even a basement where it’s cooler (assuming they can easily get up & down any stairs).

Find a safe, spacious yard so your pup has room to run.

Dogs need to run, and giving them the freedom to run in their own yard is ideal for both the dog and the pup parent (as a tired dog is a happy dog). If there is a physical fence, you’ll need to ensure it’s sturdy and high enough to contain your dog if you have a jumper. But dogs can also dig under fences and many are escape artists adept at finding a hole or weak spot in the fence, or some other crafty escape route.

A SpotOn GPS Fence is a great way to contain your dog with virtual boundaries, and an easy alternative to a physical or buried wire fence. With just the GPS dog collar + the app, you can keep tabs on your dog and get notifications if they breach the fence, handy features that you don't get with a physical or buried wire fence.

Once you move in, you’ll need to pet proof your yard to ensure the landscaping is dog safe, with no chemical lawn treatments or plants and flowers that are toxic to dogs. Some shade is also ideal, and a welcome haven for your pup if you live in a hot and sunny area. If there are areas you want to make off limits to your pup, SpotOn GPS Fence lets you make Keep Out Zones within your virtual fence.

Choose a dog friendly location & community.

Check that your desired location fits your dog friendly lifestyle. Are there walking trails nearby, a dog park or some other park that allows dogs for social play? Are these areas away from busy streets? You’ll also want to know about any dangerous wildlife in the area. Lastly, some communities have local laws about registering your dog, where dogs are allowed, the number of dogs you can own (in one house) and breed restrictions.

Make sure that the neighborhood — and the neighbors — are dog friendly.

Do a few test walks with your dog around the new desired or potential neighborhood. Are there any neighborhood houses or dogs that feel threatening, to you or your pup? Do the neighbors seem dog friendly and welcoming? You don’t want to have to worry about neighbor complaints from occasional barking.

If you’re moving into an HOA, research the pet rules.

Considering an HOA? If so, be aware of any dog or other pet restrictions. Many HOAs have limitations on the number of dogs and dog breed restrictions. HOAs also often require you to keep up with outdoor landscaping guidelines, something to keep in mind if your dog is a digger.

Many HOAs also prohibit adding structures such as physical fencing. SpotOn GPS Fence is an easy way to contain your dog without a physical fence. Plus, you can keep tabs on your dog in the app, and get a notification and tracking if your dog does breach the boundary.

Be sure to do your homework when buying a home with dogs. It’s a good idea to check out your new potential neighborhood at different times of day, both during the week and on the weekend, to make sure you’re getting the whole picture. Research will avoid any surprises, and ensure your new home is right for your whole family, including your best furry friend.

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