I have dogs. I’ve always had dogs. Right now, I just have one. There was a period of my adult life when my family had three dogs, two cats, and a pony. Admittedly, the pony did not live with us inside the house. Nevertheless, its hair was a regular factor to be dealt with. Over my husband’s adamant protests, for years I persisted in bringing from the barn horse sheets and blankets and saddle pads to launder in our clothes washer. This is not recommended.
Horse clothes are smelly and filthy. They are regularly covered in coarse hair, clumps of dried dirt and fresh mud, all of which clog pipes and drains, damage the inside of the washer itself (lots of metal clanking around from all those clips) and running up bills with the plumber. I’d say that owning a pack of small dogs or a pair of large ones is not unlike living with a pony. I’d say if you don’t want your house to look and smell like a barn — and for the record, I love the look of a rustic, contemporary, barn/loft home — leave the horse gear at the stable.
That said, if you own a dog or a cat, and appreciate nice things, you know the challenge of maintaining a stylish, highly-functional home that hasn’t, well, gone to the dogs. They will climb on your furniture. Their nails will scratch wood floors. When dogs are young and have an urge to chew, they can chew straight through cabinetry and woodwork. Depending how much you value your furnishings, parts of your home may have to be cordoned off from dogs. Even if your dog is crate trained, it can’t spend all its time in a crate. Which means your house is also the dog’s house. How do you make it work for both of you and still be a home you’re proud of?
1) Deluxe Home Kennel
An old friend of mine in Westchester had seven dogs. Her house was over 10,000 square feet and set on seven acres so there was plenty of room. The dogs ranged in size from Neopolitan Mastiff (huge) to miniature Frenchie (petite) and some of them were allowed the run of the house while others had what I thought of as their own apartment. When my friend built the house she had a 12’x12’ room located between the kitchen and one garage that was essentially a high-end kennel. There was a doggy lounge area with lots of matching dog beds. There was a feeding station and loads of cabinets to hold canned and dry food and all their grooming supplies. There was a small sink area and a large counter where dog medications were administered.
There was a spa-worthy bathing and grooming area with a basin for small dogs and a walk in tub for the bigger ones. There was a designated washer and dryer for laundering their dog bed covers and their towels. I especially admired the flooring, a stunning dark hued slate. It was a great choice not just for easy cleaning but also because slate is crack, scratch, and chip resistant and an affordable, stylish option for heavily trafficked areas. Seven dogs equals 28 damp and muddy feet. That’s traffic.
2) What’s Best Underfoot?
On the subject of flooring, dogs always prefer carpet over wood. They like it not just because it’s warmer, but because it’s less slippery. Just like people, the older your dog gets, the more cautious it becomes about slipping and falling. Keep in mind any dog that for whatever reason isn’t thoroughly potty-trained will choose to do its business on a rug or carpet which is soft and absorbent over something hard that might splash up on them.
Personally speaking, I love hardwood floors. But I also love Persian carpets. If you have dogs and rugs, may I recommend sticking with wool because it’s naturally stain resistant? If you have a dog it’s inevitable you will be cleaning something up. All rugs and carpets absorb odor, but odors can be neutralized with a mixture of ¼ cup of white vinegar stirred into ¼ cup of water. Dab affected areas of the rug or carpet with a clean white cloth (I prefer linen dishrags) dampened in the solution. Blot with a clean, dry, white cloth. Laminate, bamboo, even vinyl flooring that mimics the look of stone or wood is a great choice in areas where you think you’re going to be doing a lot of mopping or you have a big dog that drools.
3) Just Like You, Dogs Have Stuff
Even one small dog can accumulate a considerable amount of gear. They have leashes, they have harnesses, they have jackets and raincoats. If you hike or camp with your dog, it probably has its own backpack to carry its food dish and water bottle. Add a supply of dog food, dog bedding, crates, dog car seats and dog car restraints and it’s easy to see how a storage situation could develop. A consultation with your HomeSquare professional can help give you ideas where to fit in an extra cabinet for all your dog-related belongings.
4) They Go In, They Go Out
I don’t know who invented the doggy door but they are convenient and ingenious especially if you’re not into being a doggy doorman. It’s an urban legend the first pet door was designed by the famous scientist Sir Isaac Newton who had a cat. He referred to his creation as a “cat flap” but most people want them for dogs. A doggy door is a small opening usually in a back door allowing pets to enter and exit on their own. The door usually opens out into a fenced yard. Have we talked about fencing? We should. The original “cat flaps” had the disadvantage of allowing freezing air to draft back inside the house but modern doggy doors are hinged or work off a spring-loaded panel. The latest models are electronically controlled. While they are most frequently fitted in plywood paneled doors, they can be fitted into double glazed doors or even French doors. Many models now are specifically designed for sliding glass doors.
5) Dog Spa
In my own house, a portion of the laundry room is actually a dog spa. It came with the house; I can’t take credit. It was a real perk when I first saw the house. The previous owner had three large dogs she ran daily on the beach. They came home wet and sandy and had to be bathed. For that purpose, she installed an oversized utility sink surrounded with dog-inspired ceramic tile. Water to the sink is controlled by a state-of-the-art spray attachment. There is extensive cabinetry, handy for holding dog accoutrements as well as other things. The washer and dryer are right there so dog laundry never accumulates. The laundry room has a dog-sized chute connecting it to a walk-in closet in the primary bedroom. My husband loves this chute. He tosses his own soiled garments through it and voila, they’re right in the laundry room.
6) Time to Relax
The main reason we have dogs is because they’re soothing to relax with. Every dog I’ve ever had loves chilling in front of the fire on a cold winter evening. The dog we have now, a bossy little Min Pin, literally starts barking at us when she thinks it’s time to turn on the gas fireplace. My husband has a big leather chair he sits in to read and sip a drink while the dog splays out on her very nice dog bed in front of the fireplace. The two of them can hang out there for hours. It’s pretty sweet. So, if you don’t have a fireplace but are thinking it might be nice, talk to your Homesquare professional about how to install one. Your dog will be so appreciative.
Eve Marx
Eve Marx is a national journalist and book author. Follow her reflections on home design and interior style on Instagram at the hashtag #funkybeachhouseseasideror.