New dog / garage conversion questions!

OCdude

OCdude

OCdude

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I'm planning on getting a dog and part of my plan is to convert my garage (new build - unused) into a doggy den... Of sorts.

Basically my plan is to keep him in the garage while I'm at work and to give access to a walker who will walk him while I'm out.

Before the uproar - I'm not treating the garage as his permanent home/kennel, it's simply going to be a place for him to stay while I'm at work.

Anyway, the garage itself is pretty sound, decent brickwork, double glazed door etc, but I'm wondering what exactly I should do with the conversion.

I'm planning to essentially have it as habitable as any other room in my house (plastered, carpeting/wood floor, roof insulated, heater etc). But I'm wondering if there's anything else I need to consider?

Would it be worth installing a window to the rear of the garage? Essentially it'll look out to.... An empty back garden! But would the light from the double glazed door be sufficient?

Would I need to take extra consideration when it comes ventilation? Or would standard "human" ventilation be fine?

Would carpeting be a bad idea, in terms of dampness etc?

I'm also planning on having a dog bed, sofa, food bowls etc in there

I'm sure there's other stuff I'm totally forgetting about so feel free to chime in :P

Also, feel free to pass on any safe advise on general new dog ownership!
 
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Just light from the door will be pretty miserable for the dog. Also if it is too damp for a carpet then it will be uncomfortable for the dog. How cold is it in winter and how hot in summer?

Is there lighting in there for when it's dark early in winter?

Poor idea IMHO as it would be pretty miserable for the poor animal. Why can't you leave him/her in the house?
 
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If you can't teach your dog to patiently wait in the house without causing damage while you're gone, it's best to not get one.

No matter how nice you make your garrage, the dog will see it as punishment whenever you leave and lock it in there. It will be miserable and certain psychological problems may develop in time.
 
Since you're converting it into habitable space, you'll need to go through building regulations with your local council too (not the same as planning permission)
 
I personally think it is unfair to leave a dog on it's own. Dogs are social animals so to suddenly deprive it of company for long hours of the day would seem cruel to me no matter how pleasant you make it's surroundings.
 
Leaving a dog for such a long time will cause it to destroy things out of boredom.

Dont get a cat as they are vermin, I suggest a goldfish :)
 
Energize said:
Don't get a dog if you're going to leave it on it's own 8 hours a day.
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Learn to read. He said he's getting a dog walker.

Basically my plan is to keep him in the garage while I'm at work and to give access to a walker who will walk him while I'm out.
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Not sure why everyone is overreacting to be honest. If you're getting a puppy it's going to destroy stuff, wee and poo places. Therefore he'll want a crate when you're out. Don't think it would matter where the crate went, don't think the dog would care. Plus the garage is being converted. So I imagine it will be very similar to the house.

And advice wise, train them as early as possible. Recall and walking nicely on the lead are especially important. Socialise them early, take them to the park/puppy parties to meet dogs and people frequently. Get some good quality food, the popular brands are full of crap (pedigree and what not). They'll have a healthier diet and will likely eat less on good foods. If you can afford it, get pet insurance, accidents can happen and will be costly.

Be firm and confident when you're with them. Dogs will likely mimic your behaviour, and they'll also test you if they're young (under a year).
 
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Amp34 said:
Most people that have a dog do this... In fact almost all the dogs I know are left alone for the work day. All are happy and have fun in the evening.
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What gets me is they offered zero advice and instead whined like children at the OP. Wrongly, I might add. Half of them didn't even read the post.
 
Zethor said:
If you can't teach your dog to patiently wait in the house without causing damage while you're gone, it's best to not get one.

No matter how nice you make your garrage, the dog will see it as punishment whenever you leave and lock it in there. It will be miserable and certain psychological problems may develop in time.
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not if you do this work from a puppy or use positive reinforcement and put the dog in the garage when your not out.. but with the door open so he/she can see you and it isn’t seen as a thing where they are alone, then gradually go out without making a scene.
 
adam98150 said:
What gets me is they offered zero advice and instead whined like children at the OP. Wrongly, I might add. Half of them didn't even read the post.
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We offered an opinion. It is just as valid as your opinion. My opinion was based on owning dogs most of my life but not now having one because there is no one at home during the day.

How long will the dog be out with the walker? How many hours will it be in the garage?
 
Hades said:
We offered an opinion. It is just as valid as your opinion. My opinion was based on owning dogs most of my life but not now having one because there is no one at home during the day.

How long will the dog be out with the walker? How many hours will it be in the garage?
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That's fair enough, and I apologise. If it spends eight hours a day at home, with a dog walker coming during the middle to take them out for one or two hours, I don't see a problem with it.
 
I don't see it as such a big problem leaving dogs at home all day. I think though that they must have a way to get outside if you do that. Otherwise its like being locked in a room all day. If they can get outside they feel better about it.

Millions of people have dogs and leave them at home all day and dogs live a happy life. If you don't have a back garden then i would say don't get a dog but leaving him a lone, there is worth lives the dog could live. I think dog rather be left home all day then stuck in a cage at the kennels. Just take him to the beach/forest on weekends to make up for it.
 
Don't forget to leave metal garage door in place - it comes in handy for neighbours who have been home all day listening to dogs barking endlessly- At night you can throw stones at door to set dogs off and after a bit the fat scrotes that live there open the internal door and shout at top of their voices "can't you ****** dogs shut the **** up" - - spent a few happy hours behind hedge at night. :rolleyes:

In end we moved then month later they moved.

Dave ;);)
 
Energize said:
Don't get a dog if you're going to leave it on it's own 8 hours a day.
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He's not - he said he's getting a dog walker.... so 4 hour periods alone.

@OP why not build a dog flap into the back garden? (Obviously don't store anything valuable in the garage if you do)

Perhaps get two dogs if they are to be left alone for periods during the day.
 
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