Guest blogger Cindy Aldridge from ourdogfriends.org.

This week she is sharing some very wise advice for house buyers who own dogs.

For many dog owners, searching for a house involves more than scoring the perfect home for their family’s needs. It also involves finding the ideal home for their precious pooches. If you’re house hunting and own a dog, consider some of these tips to help you buy a home that both you and Fido will love.

Is Your Realtor Pet-Friendly?

Before you begin your house hunt, find a pet-friendly realtor. A realtor who owns and adores pets will have a better chance of understanding what you and your pet require in a new home. Pet-friendly realtors will listen to your wants, needs, and concerns, and they’ll target homes that have the best features for families that own furry canine friends. Some realtors may even ask the seller’s permission for house hunters to bring their dogs to house showings. Letting your dog tag along as you visit potential homes allows you to see your dog’s first impressions of the house as well.

Pint-sized Pooch or Colossal Canine

The size of your dog should determine what type of home you buy. If you own a large dog like a Great Dane or Rottweiler, you should probably forget about that adorable two-bedroom bungalow with the yard as small as a postage stamp. Forget about that tiny condo or townhouse, too. Large dog breeds require plenty of room to roam in your house as well as a decent-sized yard to explore and run around.

Maybe you have a little dog. If that petite toy poodle has trouble climbing up and down stairs, you may want to forego choosing a two-story, bi-level or tri-level home. The goal is to find a home that is well-suited to your dog’s size and abilities so that he or she feels comfortable.

How Far Away is Your Job?

Yes, you love the house and it has all the features you ever wanted. But how far away is this dream home from your job? How long will it take you to get back and forth to work? If buying a particular house means you’ll have to endure a long commute, you might want to reconsider buying it. More time on the road means you’ll have less time with your loveable hound, and he or she won’t like being alone in the house for a lengthy amount of time.

In fact, if you leave your furry baby alone at home for too long, it might suffer from anxiety.
This often leads to destructive chewing and further mischief while you’re away. If your heart is set on a house that’s farther away from your job, consider enrolling Fido in a doggie daycare or hiring a trusted pet sitter while you are at work.

Home Features

Before you place a bid on a new home, consider its features. Does it have a fenced backyard? Fences are essential to keep dogs safe while playing outside. Take a look at the neighborhood where you want to live. If the house is located on a super busy street, you may not want to buy it. If your beloved hound ever gets loose from the house, he or she has a greater chance of getting hit by a car.

And sure, you have enough bedrooms for the humans in your family. But what about your dog? Do you want your dog to have a special area for his or her dog bed, food bowl, water bowl, and toys? If so, select a home that has an extra room for your pup. It doesn’t have to be a huge space. It could be a corner of the laundry room or mud room.You might even want to find a home with a bonus room where the family gathers to watch TV and your dog’s bed and accessories are tucked away in a corner.

Moving In

You’ve chosen the ideal home for you and your pet, and you’ve moved into your new digs. The boxes are unpacked, the furniture is in place and your pictures are hanging on the wall. You may think that you’re ready to settle down and relax but think again. In order to keep your home pet-friendly, you need to get your pet acclimated to its new environment. If you neglect this important step, Fido may suffer from separation anxiety whenever you leave the house.

To prevent this from happening, allow your dog to explore his or her new domain. This involves sniffing around the new house and backyard, as well as exploring the different areas of the property. Be sure to provide your pooch with extra affection and cuddling since it will probably be nervous and confused with a sudden change of environment.

Buying a new home is exciting and sometimes a bit stressful. But when you’re a dog owner, your goal is to find a home that is perfect for all members of the family -- including your pooch. When you focus on the needs of your pet in addition to the needs of the humans in your household, you’ll find a suitable home that fits almost everyone’s requirements. Before you make that all-important decision of buying a new house, determine if it's pet-friendly. Your dog and your family will be happier in a house where everyone feels comfortable and safe.