While working from home with your pets, it’s often a good idea to give them some room of their own to help minimize your distractions. However, creating a relaxing environment for them can be a little tricky, especially if you happen to have a very involved dog.
Here are a few quick ways to build a dog house that your pup will love relaxing in while you hammer away at your daily tasks:
Most dog houses can fit your average-sized dog. However, for those with large and giant breed dogs, your average dog house may not be enough to comfortably seat your dog’s body and give them space to run around. Enter custom-builds.
There are several, step-by-step instructions and customized dog house options for large dogs available online and at local pet stores, craft stores and home improvement stores with pet supplies. You want to ensure your pup has enough room to get up, move around, lie down and stretch.
Typically, dogs enjoy lying on a cold ground during the warmer months or in climates where warmer months are all year round. However, for those living in colder climates where the ground isn’t cold but frigid, you may want to add a little insulation to help keep them warm.
When creating your dog’s break room, try adding a cooling mat if you live in an area with a lot of heat. For those who live with a lot of cold or fluctuating temperatures, it may be a good idea to incorporate a few different bedding options, such as thermal blankets or cotton padding.
Keeping your dog at a comfortable temperature can also help them relax instead of pacing around to find that perfect warmth or coolness.
It’s no secret that dogs enjoy being close to their owners. With that in mind, you may be a little too busy to give your pooch the attention they want at the time. By keeping your dog’s relaxation area close to you, you can help keep them calm when they want to know where you are and what you’re doing.
Likewise, it’s also a great opportunity to help them learn how to stay calm. Try incorporating a few treats when your dog finds their perfect place and calms themselves down. Once calm, offer your pooch the treat and a soft pat on the head or their favorite spot behind the ear.
This will not only help your dog relax by being in proximity to you, but can also help ease your mind if your pup is particularly nosey.
When creating your dog’s house, just basic building skills and crafting skills will do. Try using these tips when you start building your dog’s relaxation corner. You’ll both be glad you did.
Lana Harris is a Chicago native who is a second-generation real estate professional. She was introduced to real estate at a very young age while attending open houses with her mother who is a broker. She honed her skills assisting in property searches (back in the thick, Multiple Listing Service book days,) and using map reading skills to help plan property tour sequencing. Lana’s love of working with people and delivering strong customer service led her to the retail sector, where she developed her management skills at MC Sports, Ann Taylor, and Adidas. She and her husband moved to Utah in 2008 to enjoy the natural beauty of the mountains, and she began her real estate career here in 2015. Most recently, she was a VP of sales for a large team; she thrives on challenges and is determined to overcome obstacles to achieve results for her clients. Lana and her husband enjoy their three large dogs, skiing, camping and paddleboarding.