A dog-friendly home - where to look for one?

Having a dog is not just about the duty of taking it for a short walk and feeding it. In fact, we have to look after our friend in every respect. Above all, it matters what kind of home they will live in. We should think about what to pay attention to when choosing a place to live and what to avoid, so that our companion does not turn up their nose.

An ideal area for walks

A build-up of energy in a dog, caused for example by too little exercise, can lead to hyperactivity, so it is worth making sure there is a good place for walks. A four-legged pet does not care about being close to the market square or the main road into the city, but green areas within paw's reach are another matter. Water, forest, parks and gardens are what dogs like best. If we are considering an area with a pleasant place to walk the dog, but so far away that we have to drive there, we should consider whether this will take up too much of our time, for example because of traffic jams.

If we want to buy a house, for example, through an estate agent, the basic requirement is a large garden. Ideally, the dog should have its own private little flap to the outside world fitted in the door.

A place that is not always friendly to dogs and owners

A separate dog flap is a good idea so that the dog can move freely between the yard and the inside of the building, but it is best avoided if we know that people who might hurt the dog live in the area.

Before buying a house or flat, it is worth doing thorough research, talking to the owners of four-legged pets and looking around to see whether there are any "no dogs allowed" signs. Browsing local information on social media for unpleasant incidents involving, for example, animals being poisoned can also help in finding a safe home for the pet, in cooperation with an estate agent.

A disservice to the dog

Another group of dangers for dogs is waste and food scraps carried by birds from bins or scattered by people. Some people, when feeding wild animals, do not understand that stale food, or food packed in a plastic bag, can harm them. If we have a dog that eats rubbish, it is better to avoid such places, because it can end in serious illness. Nor is keeping a muzzle on the dog all the time a comfortable solution for either side.

Another alert, but mainly for pedigree dogs

Unfortunately, owners of popular breeds, mainly small ones such as the Yorkshire terrier, Maltese or Shih Tzu, are at risk of having them stolen. In the city, thieves usually take dogs left outside a shop. This practice is most common in poorer districts, where many people do not work and look for easy money. If, on the other hand, you are looking for a house, think about whether your dog can be left alone on the property.

How to make life easier when living with a dog

From a practical point of view, it is good if the area where we can walk the animal is close to home. It is ideal if special dog waste bins with bags are placed there.

At home, for our convenience in cleaning up hair and mud, it is best to have a floor that is easy to wash with a mop. Floor tiles or vinyl planks will give us a waterproof surface. If we decide on carpets, they should only be short-pile. Walls are best finished with paints that can be wiped with a damp cloth. Washing a large dog in a bath is troublesome, so it may be better to look for a home with a shower tray.

Having dogs brings a lot of joy, but to keep that joy unspoilt, various issues should be considered before moving to a new house or flat. It is important that both we and the animal feel good and comfortable. An estate agency in Katowice will help us in choosing the place.

Finally, it is good to look at things from the other side and think about other people. For example, if we are ending the rental of premises in which we lived with a dog, it is good manners to repair any damage and clean up any dirt. It would be a real shame if, once again through human fault, life became even harder for dogs.