Would you keep dogs in a garage?

Would you keep dogs in a garage?

Author
Discussion

bigbob77

Original Poster:

593 posts

165 months

Thursday 30th July 2015
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Have been working from home for a few years, so my two dogs have had it easy! I'm going to start up at an office next month and need a solution for them from from 08:30 to 17:30.

Exercise shouldn't be an issue (run in local park in morning, dog walker middle of day, walk evening) but one of them can be very destructive when bored so he can't be trusted in the house all day.

The options are:

1) Build a large double kennel with run and. One of the dogs (labrador) is a bit of a softy and I don't think he'll enjoy being outside all day, especially in winter.

2) Knock through to our integral garage (and out the side) and build a utility room. Got quotes of around £3k though, which is a bit much.

3) Replace garage door with a side-hinged door with obscure windows, fit a daylight bulb and a heater, and the entire garage becomes a giant utility room.

I would like to go with option 3 - I think it would be the most comfortable for them, give them lots of room to play, and is the cheapest/easiest to achieve.
But I'm concerned some neighbours might think its strange/cruel to lock dogs up in a garage all day, if they see us do it. Our dogs are pretty tough and easy going but I know some non-doggy people don't really understand that. I've heard of people calling RSPCA/police because they saw their neighbours dog outside in the rain, for example.

So what are some opinions - would you think it's strange if you saw a neighbour putting their dogs in their garage?

ali_kat

31,988 posts

220 months

Thursday 30th July 2015
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No, so long as they had a doggy door into the garden I think that would be fine.

Mine were in a similar 'utility room' that we turned into a kennel. They had a purpose built kennel outside as well & access into the kitchen from the utility.

bigbob77

Original Poster:

593 posts

165 months

Thursday 30th July 2015
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There wouldn't be a doggy door. I wouldn't let them roam the garden without anyone in the house. We live near a forest so loads of foxes/cats/hedgehogs/rabbits/frogs for them to run into, plus one of them could get bored and dig through to a neighbours garden.
Also I wouldn't put it past some of the neighbours kids to climb over our fence to get a ball or whatever if they didn't see the dogs out.

We would have lots of toys/stuffed kong/nice beds/water in the garage but they would only get out when the dog walker came.

ali_kat

31,988 posts

220 months

Thursday 30th July 2015
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thumbup Ours didn't get a day walk they exercised themselves, but we were on a farm, the garden was secure and we had no neighbours for a field eitherside (unles you count cows, badgers, foxes, rabbits etc)

We never saw evidence of them catching anything other than sleep during the day biggrin

bexVN

14,682 posts

210 months

Thursday 30th July 2015
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Your biggest risk is they start Barking esp as it is such a lifestyle change, that's when neighbours will notice.

Otherwise as long as there will be natural daylight, no extremes of hot and cold, bedding toys etc they would be fine.

SPR2

3,182 posts

195 months

Thursday 30th July 2015
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Option 1. A kennel with sleeping area and run can be cosy and warm for them.
This is mine - far end sleeping quarters with carpet and beds and a door opening into the run. 12 ft x 7 ft and 6 1/2 ft high.

Edited by SPR2 on Thursday 30th July 15:10

Mexican cuties

686 posts

121 months

Thursday 30th July 2015
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What breed family pet are they?

KFC

3,687 posts

129 months

Friday 31st July 2015
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Depends on space etc I suppose, but I'd really be only looking at losing my garage as an absolute last option! I've just moved into a new house and had this done in the garden - https://vid.me/e/orbz

bakerstreet

4,755 posts

164 months

Friday 31st July 2015
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Depends on the breed and the personality of the dog. We have a greyhound and all he does is sleep all day. He has company now as Mrs is on maternity leave and even then he just sleeps all day!

I know some people do it, but We could't leave ours outside all day. In the winter, it would be too cold for him, but other breeds may be fine.

Steviesam

1,242 posts

133 months

Friday 31st July 2015
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As it will be your office, cant you take them with you?

I used to take mine to work. Other people loved it and the dogs liked it too!