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In The Dog House: 11 Ways People Are Modifying Their Homes For Dogs

Bathing a dog
(Picture Credit: Getty Images)

There are certainly a lot of things to consider when buying or building a home. You want every member of your family to be comfortable and safe, and maybe that’s why people are taking their dogs into consideration when it comes to making decisions about where they live.

In fact, amenities for dogs are a more important factor for millennials looking to buy homes than plans for marriage or a human family, but people of every generation are making their living spaces more dog-friendly.

Some are even making expensive choices when it comes to building or remodeling their homes with their pups in mind. Here are eleven awesome ways people are modifying their homes to make them better for dogs.

1. Dog Showers



Dog wash stations and showers are becoming very popular, and that makes a lot of sense if you think about it.

Homeowners often install these extra bathing stations near back entrances so they can wash up dirty dogs if they happen to step or roll in something outdoors. It’s better than letting them track a stinky, dirty mess through the house.

Dog showers are great for larger dogs, too, as it’s often a hassle to get them into human tubs. It all makes for much easier cleanup and less stress for pups who’d otherwise have to be dragged or carried through the home.

2. Fenced-In Yards

Hound dog playing in the backyard enjoying the summer weather.
(Picture Credit: Getty Images)

Fenced-in yards are a big thing that dog lovers look for in new homes, and if there isn’t one already installed, they tend to ask about whether they can install one in the future before buying.

Fenced-in yards are great for dogs who need a little more outdoor time and exercise, and they’re a godsend when the weather gets too cold or wet to comfortably go outside with your dog for every pee break.

The added security keeps dogs safer from natural predators, criminals, and other dogs that may be aggressive, as well as keeping them from running off and getting hurt. Plus, the added privacy is a nice bonus.

3. Dog Supply Storage Cabinets

Man with small yellow dog working on a new kitchen installation
(Picture Credit: Kerkez/Getty Images)

Keeping all of your dog supplies in one convenient spot can make life a lot easier.

People often install new cabinets near where their dogs eat so they can store extra bowls, treats, and bulky bags of food where they won’t have to move them too far.

Some of them are even made like pull-out trash cans so dogs can’t open them, even though the cabinets are low to the ground.

4. Dutch Doors & Cat Doors

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Dutch doors that can be opened on top and bottom separately are often easier, sturdier, and more convenient than using baby gates or other items to block dogs from entering other rooms.

These doors also allow dogs to know what’s going on in other rooms without fully closing them off or completely locking them away from the family and guests.

You may be wondering how cat doors can help dogs, too. For multi-species households, preventing dogs from eating cats’ food is very important, as cat food can make dogs sick.

One solution is to install a cat door to a room where cats can eat in peace without worrying about dogs. The dog can’t fit through, but the cat can get to their food without a problem.

5. Anxiety-Reducing Windows

A German shepherd mix dog sits on a sofa by itself in an empty room, looking out the window and waiting for master to return.
(Picture Credit: Danielle Donders/Getty Images)

Some dogs can get very anxious when looking out the window, especially when their humans leave the house, and that has led a lot of dog parents to look for solutions on how to block dogs’ from seeing what’s outside.

Some install higher windows that dogs can’t reach, but others just install very thick blinds.

The best solution, though, may be plantation shutters that close fairly tightly. Dogs can’t open them easily, so they have a harder time seeing and reacting to what’s out on the street.

6. Soundproof Rooms

Cute little dog is looking away while lying on a beige carpet in a dressing room
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New Years, the Fourth of July, and any time a sports team wins a championship are all occasions that can be a nuisance for dog parents, as dogs are often nervous and terrified at the loud noises of the fireworks.

While many of us just sit with our dogs in a room with the television or radio drowning out the sound, some people have actually outfitted larger closets or small interior rooms with soundproofing to keep dogs comfortable.

Cotton panels or polyester tiles, for example, can reduce noise by about 30 percent, making the room much quieter for scared pups.

7. Heated & No-Slip Floors

Cute lazy brown dog enjoying a nap in the glowing warmth of the sun with its tongue peeking out between its lips
(Picture Credit: Yulia-Images/Getty Images)

A lot of dogs have trouble walking on hardwood floors, and their toenails can click and scratch. It’s especially hard for dogs with arthritis or other physical problems.

Rugs, runners, and carpets can all help dogs keep their footing and reduce impact on the joints and bones.

Heated floors are also great for dogs with arthritis. The heat helps sooth old muscles and relaxes them.

8. Ramps & Small Steps

MALIBU, CALIFORNIA. June 4, 2008. Bean, the family pet dog of Chuck and Katie Arnoldi of Malibu inside the master bedroom where a dog ramp was built by Trucker Strasser, a woodworker and friend, for dogs with short legs, old, or sick dogs who can't jump on top of the bed by themselves. (Photo by Ken Hively/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
(PIcture Credit: Ken Hively/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

Speaking of dogs who have trouble walking around, some dog parents install dog ramps and shorter steps for dogs who have shorter legs or difficulty climbing.

These are helpful for short-legged breeds like Dachshunds and Corgis, and they’re beneficial for sore, old dogs who can’t jump up as much as they used to or dogs who have disabilities and rely on wheelchairs or other devices.

9. Recessed Beds

A cute British Bulldog sleeping in a dog bed.
(Picture Credit: SolStock/Getty Images)

Another home modification that helps dogs who have trouble climbing is recessed dog beds that are built into the floor. These allow dogs to just step into or out of bed without having to step up onto a cushion or walk over some kind of rim or edge.

As dogs get older and have a harder time moving, they’ll appreciate being able to get to bed more easily.

10. Potty Stations

BEAGLE PUPPY STANDING ON ARTIFICIAL TURF GRASS SIDE VIEW (Photo by H. Armstrong Roberts/ClassicStock/Getty Images)
(Picture Credit: H. Armstrong Roberts/ClassicStock/Getty Images)

Dogs sometimes have to go potty when we’re not home or when it’s inconvenient for us to have to put on clothes to take them outside.

Indoor potty stations with antimicrobial fake grass can be installed inside the home and washed as needed, but they’re often more practical for upstairs porches or patios.

They allow people to let their dogs out without having to go all the way downstairs where their neighbors might see them in their unmentionables.

11. Personal Spaces

You may have seen a few dog personal spaces built into wooden bed frames or underneath stairs, but these aren’t Harry Potter bedrooms. They’re comfy places for dogs that can often take the place of a kennel or crate.

Dogs tend to like having a smaller personal space where they can feel safe, and these spaces often reduce anxiety.

Do you have any modifications in your home just for dogs? If you were building or remodeling a home, would you consider your pooch’s needs? Let us know in the comments below!

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