Buying a new house is an exciting, and stressful, time! There are so many decisions to make and a house is not like a pair of shoes that you can return to the store for a full refund as long as you have not worn them outside. In terms of purchases, buying a house is the biggest decision you will make and one that becomes even more difficult when you have pets to consider.

Condo, Townhouse, House or Acreage

Many people mistakenly feel that they need a house with a yard if they own a dog. In many cases, a yard does make dog ownership easier but the hundreds of thousands New York dogs cannot all be suffering from a lack of ‘yard’. Many dogs easily adapt to condominiums and townhouses with only a small yard as long as they are taken for lots of walks and spend time running at the local dog park. There are also many breeds such as Great Danes and Mastiffs that, although they are large, do not actually require as much exercise as you would expect.

Before deciding on what kind of home your dog requires, have an honest look at their individual exercise and outdoor requirements and match the house to the pet. High-energy dogs do better in a house with a yard to help curb their excitement between walks and dogs that are used to hanging out in a yard will definitely miss the time outdoors.

Is there such a Thing as too much Yard?

This may seem like a strange question – aren’t dogs and yards synonymous with a happy home? Many homebuyers make the mistake of purchasing a house with a huge yard thinking that the dog will be better off but do not consider the time and cost commitment to maintaining a large yard. Ask yourself if you would prefer to have a slightly smaller yard to maintain and take the dog for more walks versus a large yard that will require more time and money to keep up. As long as your dog gets enough exercise and attention, a smaller yard can help free up your time and energy.

Location, Location, Location

Housing experts place location as the top consideration when buying a home. Almost everything else about a home can be changed to be more to your liking but if the location is not right, you are stuck!

And what works best for you may not be the best spot for your dog. Are you near a park? Is the neighborhood safe and comfortable for you or your family to walk the dog? Is there a dog next door that is going to be a problem for your dog? Is there a dog friendly coffee shop down the road for relaxed Sunday morning walks? Is the house of your dreams beside anything that will cause your dog stress or to become a problem barker like an elementary school?

Good Fences make Good Neighbors

Fencing and dogs go hand in hand: you better have a solid fence if you are going to have a dog. It is as simple as that. And although buying a home with a good fence is not critical as you can always build one, a poorly made or maintained fence will need to be replaced and if your new neighbor does not want any changes, you could have a problem on your hands.

Before purchasing a house with no fence, or a questionable fence, have the realtor speak with the neighbors prior to signing any paperwork to make sure that they are not going to put up any objections once you move in and start making changes!

Stairs and the Older Dog

Most of us think of the one level rancher as a human retirement home but stairs apply to the canine senior citizen as well! As a dog ages and arthritis begins to set in, stairs can become a major problem for both of you.

Although small dogs do not tend to have the same aging mobility issues as large dogs, they do slow down and stairs can become an almost insurmountable challenge. Large dogs, on the other hand, become an almost insurmountable obstacle for their owners as it is up to you to carry them up and down the stairs, or start to live entirely on your ground floor.

Before buying that house with the loft and the sunken living room and the deck on three levels, ask yourself how well your dog is going to handle the steps in a few years. Or, how well your back is going to handle all those stairs in a few years!

Flooring

Dogs and flooring choices do not always mix. Carpeting, vinyl, hardwood, slate, tile, and cement all have different pros and cons when it comes to dogs. Tile, slate, and cement wear well and last a long time even with active dogs but can be slippery and cold for the older pet. Carpet, hardwood, and vinyl are quickly torn up by claws or teeth and stained from accidents but are warmer to lie on. How do you decide?

Make a list of pros and cons and decide ahead of time if you are willing to live with a warmer, moderately scratched hardwood floor with throw carpets or would you prefer a carpet? Tiles and slate are long wearing but, again, you may need to toss throw carpets around so your dog has a bit of added traction.

Do not get fooled by new carpet either. When getting a house ready for sale, many people throw down new but low quality carpet to freshen the overall look. Meanwhile, the carpet is not designed for heavy paw traffic or the odd canine accident and quickly begins to look shabby. Do not be fooled by a clean carpet, ask your realtor to find out what kind of carpet it is and how it has been treated. If it is low quality or not pet friendly, when deciding on what to offer, take into consideration what it will cost to replace the flooring in a year or two.

Flooring is never permanent but you may not want to replace it as soon as you move in either. Decide what is best for your dog first and then choose a house that best matches your criteria.

Buying a house that best fits your dog or dogs is an important part of how happy you are going to be with your new home. Take your time and make a list of priorities before you start looking and never compromise. You will enjoy your new home, and your dog, better if you decide ahead of time what you need in a house!