By Janine Thomson | Realtor | Pemberton Holmes
GREATER VICTORIA & VANCOUVER ISLAND REAL ESTATE
But if you share your life with a dog, there may be another member of the household whose needs deserve a place on that list.
A beautiful backyard isn't necessarily a dog-friendly backyard. A gorgeous condominium may have pet restrictions you weren't expecting. A home beside a wonderful park may require crossing a busy road to reach it. And that pristine cream carpet might look a little different after the first rainy November walk.
Buying a home with a dog doesn't mean your pet needs to dictate your real estate decisions. It simply means considering how the property, neighbourhood and your everyday routine will work together.
Here are 10 things worth looking at when your house-hunting team includes four paws.
1. Look Beyond the Fenced Yard 
"Fenced yard" is often near the top of a dog owner's wish list.
But don't stop at whether a fence exists.Look at its height, condition and construction. Check underneath it for gaps and inspect where the fence meets the house, garage or neighbouring property.
Look carefully at the gates. Do they close securely? Could they accidentally be left open? Is there enough space beneath them for a small dog to escape?
If your dog is an enthusiastic digger, jumper or escape artist, the requirements may be very different from those of an older dog who is perfectly happy sleeping in a patch of sunshine.
Also consider what's inside the yard.
Are there steep retaining walls? A pond or pool? Garden chemicals? Thorny or potentially problematic plants? Areas where a dog could get behind a shed or underneath a deck?
A yard doesn't have to be enormous to be useful. A smaller, secure and easily supervised yard may work considerably better than a large but difficult-to-manage property.
Dog-Friendly Home Tip
When viewing a property, walk the entire perimeter of the yard instead of simply looking at it from the deck.You'll notice things from ground level that are easy to miss from the house.
2. Consider the Street, Not Just the House
The location of the home in relation to the street can make a significant difference to everyday life with a dog.A home on a quiet residential street may offer a very different experience from one positioned directly on a busy arterial road.Consider what happens if someone opens the front door while carrying groceries.
Could your dog run directly toward traffic?
Is there a front gate?
Is there a foyer or secondary door that creates a buffer?
Think about walks too.
Are there sidewalks?
Are the streets well lit?
Are there safe places to cross?
Would you feel comfortable walking there early in the morning or after dark in December?
These aren't necessarily reasons to reject a property. They're simply part of understanding how the location will function for your household.
3. Take a Dog's-Eye View of the Flooring
Flooring probably isn't the first thing most buyers associate with pet-friendly real estate, but it can have a surprisingly large impact.Hard surfaces are generally easier to clean after muddy walks, wet paws and the occasional accident.
However, very slippery flooring can be challenging for some dogs, particularly seniors or dogs with mobility limitations.
Carpet provides traction and warmth but can require more maintenance.
Area rugs and runners can often provide a practical compromise by adding traction in strategic locations while still allowing for easy cleaning.
If you're buying a home with beautiful existing floors, think about both durability and maintenance.
Can they tolerate nails?
How noticeable will fur be?
Where will wet paws first hit the floor?
A house doesn't need "pet flooring." It simply needs flooring that works for the way your household actually lives.
4. Don't Underestimate the Value of a Good Entrance
For dog owners in Greater Victoria, the entrance to a home can become surprisingly important once the fall and winter weather arrives.Imagine coming home from a wet walk.
Where does the dog go?Is there a mudroom?
A laundry room near the entrance?
A tiled foyer?
A covered porch where you can towel off muddy paws before coming inside?Is there somewhere to hang leashes, raincoats and towels?
Could you keep a basket near the door for dog-walking supplies?
A practical entrance isn't one of the glamorous features buyers usually photograph during a showing, but it can make everyday life considerably easier.
Fun Fact
Some of the most valuable features in a home aren't the spectacular ones.A well-positioned laundry room, durable entrance floor, utility sink or covered exterior area may get far more daily use than a feature that initially seemed much more exciting.
5. Think About Stairs — Especially for the Future
A young, athletic dog may fly up and down stairs without hesitation.That may not always be the case.If you have a large dog or a dog approaching its senior years, consider how the home would function if stairs eventually became difficult.Is there a comfortable place for the dog to sleep on the main level?
Can they reach the backyard without navigating a full staircase?
Are exterior steps steep or slippery?
Could a runner, gate or ramp be added if necessary?
You don't necessarily need to buy a one-level home because you own a dog. But thinking a few years ahead can help you understand whether a property's layout has some flexibility.
This can be particularly important with large dogs because carrying an 80-pound senior dog down a staircase isn't a particularly realistic long-term plan.6. Find the Everyday Pet Spaces
6. Find the Everyday Pet Spaces 
Here's an interesting exercise during your next home viewing.
Ask yourself:
Where does the dog stuff go?
Where would you put:The food?
Water bowls?
Leashes?
Treats?
Towels?
Toys?
Medications?
Grooming supplies?
Crate?
Dog bed?
Bulk bags of food?
It sounds trivial until you realize how much pet equipment accumulates over time.
A kitchen nook may be perfect for food and water bowls.
A laundry room cabinet could hold supplies.
A garage might provide storage for crates, travel equipment and large bags of food.
A window beside a comfortable corner could become the dog's favourite afternoon resting spot.
These aren't features that appear on an MLS feature sheet, but they're part of how successfully a home functions.
7. Explore the Neighbourhood on Foot
You can learn an enormous amount about a neighbourhood by getting out of the car and walking it.Dog owners have an especially good reason to do this.
Where would your normal walk take you?
Are there sidewalks or trails?
Are there green spaces nearby?
What's the terrain like?
Are there steep hills?
How busy are the intersections?
Is there adequate street lighting?
Are there parks or walking routes within a reasonable distance?
A five-minute drive to a park may sound convenient, but being able to walk directly from your front door can completely change your daily routine.This is one of those occasions when neighbourhood lifestyle can be just as important as the house itself.
A slightly smaller yard combined with fantastic walking access might suit one dog owner better than a huge yard in an area where every walk requires getting into the car.
8. Buying a Condo or Townhouse? Read the Pet Bylaws
Pet owners purchasing strata properties should never assume that "pets allowed" tells the whole story.Strata bylaws can contain specific rules regarding pets, so these should be reviewed carefully as part of your due diligence when considering a condominium or townhouse.
Depending on the property and its bylaws, rules may address the number or type of pets permitted and other requirements affecting pet owners.
Don't rely solely on a listing description or a verbal comment that the building is "pet friendly."Review the current strata documentation and determine whether the rules work for your particular pet and circumstances.
This becomes especially important if you already have more than one pet or are considering adding another pet in the future.
A building can be wonderful and still not be the right building for your household.
9. Think About What Your Dog Will Experience When You're Not Home
We naturally evaluate houses while we're standing inside them.But what happens after you leave?
Where will your dog spend time when you're at work or out for several hours?
What can they see through the windows?
Is the front window directly beside a busy sidewalk where people and dogs will constantly pass?
Are neighbouring homes extremely close?
s there construction nearby?
Could a shared hallway, elevator or lobby create challenges for a reactive or nervous dog?
For some dogs, watching the world through a front window is fantastic entertainment.
For another dog, the same window may mean six hours of alerting the household to every person, delivery truck, squirrel and Labradoodle that passes.
Know your dog.
The "perfect" dog-friendly house isn't universal. It's the house that works with your dog's temperament and your lifestyle.
10. Look at the Home From Four Feet Down
This may be the simplest dog-friendly house-hunting exercise of all.After you've toured the home as a buyer, mentally tour it again from approximately four feet down.
Look at the doors.
The stairs.
The fence.
The deck.
The floors.
The windows.
The yard.
The road.
Then imagine an ordinary Tuesday.
You wake up.
The dog needs to go outside.
You leave for a walk.It's raining.
You return with muddy paws.
You feed the dog.
You leave for work.
A delivery arrives.
You come home.It's dark outside.
You take another walk.
Where does the leash go?
Where does the wet towel go?
Where does the dog sleep?
Suddenly, you're no longer evaluating a staged property.
You're evaluating life in the property.
And that's ultimately what buying a home is about.
Bonus: Moving Day With a Dog
Once you've found the right home, moving day creates another set of considerations.Open doors, unfamiliar people, moving trucks and changing routines can make moving day confusing for pets.
If possible, arrange a quiet, secure location for your dog while furniture and boxes are being moved.
Keep collars and identification on.
Make sure gates and doors remain secure.
Bring familiar bedding, toys, food and bowls rather than packing absolutely everything away.
Once you're in the new home, establish your dog's familiar belongings relatively quickly.
A familiar bed that smells like home can be reassuring in a house where everything else is new.
Then allow your dog some time to investigate and settle in.
Some dogs behave as though they've owned the property for years within approximately 15 minutes.
Others need a little longer.
September Dog-Friendly Home Check
Even if you aren't moving, September is a great time to give your current home a quick dog-friendly inspection before the wetter, darker months arrive.Take 20 minutes this month and check:
- Fence boards and gates
- Exterior lighting
- Leashes, collars and harnesses
- Reflective or visibility gear for evening walks
- Identification tags
- Microchip contact information
- Outdoor water areas
- Pet towels and wet-weather supplies
- Emergency food and medications
- Your pet carrier or travel equipment
- Veterinary contact information
A loose fence board or small gap can be easy for us to overlook and fascinating to a curious dog.
Fun Dog Facts for Around the House
Here are a few conversation starters for the dog lovers in your life.Dogs experience their surroundings heavily through scent. That leisurely sniff around the neighbourhood isn't necessarily your dog wasting time. They're gathering information about the environment.
Dogs become excellent students of household routines. Shoes, keys, coats, cupboards and even the time of day can become predictors of what's happening next.
A dog's favourite place in the house may have nothing to do with the expensive dog bed. Temperature, sunlight, proximity to people, scent and the ability to observe household activity can all influence where a dog chooses to rest.
Dogs don't all experience a home the same way. Age, size, mobility, personality and previous experiences can make one home's ideal feature another dog's challenge.
Which is exactly why there is no universal definition of a "pet-friendly home."
The Best Home Works for the Whole Household
When we talk about finding the right home, it's easy to concentrate on square footage and finishes.Those things matter.
But so does everyday life.
The morning walk.
The muddy paws.
The sunny spot beside the window.
The safe backyard.
The neighbourhood trail.
The basket of leashes beside the door.
And the dog waiting for you when you come home.
If you're house hunting with a pet, add their everyday needs to your list before you start viewing properties. You may notice features you would otherwise have completely overlooked.
And if you're selling a pet-friendly home, some of those same practical features may be worth highlighting to buyers: a secure yard, nearby trails, a mudroom, durable flooring or easy access to outdoor space can all contribute to the lifestyle a home provides.
Because finding the right home isn't simply about finding a property that looks good.
It's about finding a place where everyone in the household can feel at home, including the four-legged members.
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