Buying your first home is a huge milestone and one that should be met with excitement and enthusiasm. And for many, homeownership also opens up the opportunity to adopt a furry family member. If you’ve chosen to christen your new home with a canine companion, there are a few things you should know before bringing home your barking best friend.
Dogs Affect Your Home Value – And Your Neighbors
Your dog will affect your life in so many positive ways. He or she will be a faithful companion when you’re feeling down and will help keep you safe in case of an emergency. But, your home’s value is one area where your dog can have a marked negative effect.
According to Veterans United Home Loans, evidence of pets, specifically odor and damage, can tank a home’s value by thousands of dollars. Likewise, a constantly barking dog may affect your neighbor’s ability to sell their home at top market value.
A Simple Fence is the Best Way to Keep Your Dog Safe
The most important thing you can do for your dog is provide them a safe environment. And that starts with a fence. Improvenet notes that most homeowners spend between $216 and $4,399 to have a fence installed.
It does not have to be anything extravagant as long as it keeps your dog in your yard. In addition to safety, a fence will prevent your dog from becoming the nuisance of the neighborhood by constantly popping up on other people’s property and potentially becoming aggressive toward children and pets.
Communication and Health
Your dog’s barking will impact everyone within earshot. Dogs bark for many reasons. The Humane Society of the United States notes that dogs may bark when they want attention, out of boredom, or fear. Commonly, dogs bark to display territoriality. But your dog’s bark won’t be music to your neighbor’s ears. In fact, a dog that barks around the clock can lead to tension with everyone in the neighborhood. And depending on where you live, this kind of noise can get you in trouble.
The health of your pet is important to your community. Like humans, animals are susceptible to germs and bacteria that can cause serious diseases. Many of these are inter-species and can be spread to humans. Even those that aren’t can still create a hazard for your family, friends, and neighbors. Diseases, such as rabies, can alter your dog’s personality, making him dangerous to humans and local domestic animals and wildlife.
How to Be a Good Neighbor
If you want to be a good neighbor – and a responsible pet owner – establish a relationship with a local veterinarian as soon as you bring home your happy hound. Getting a fence, keeping your animal healthy, and cutting down the noise are a great way to make friends with the neighbors. However, if you want to truly live harmoniously with your pet and the humans in your area, you also have to keep your yard clean and make proper introductions.
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Never leave your dog alone outside
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Fix visible damage to your home/yard caused by chewing or digging
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Clean up your dog’s excrement to minimize odors
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Keep your dog leashed when he is not fenced
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Give your dog plenty of exercise to avoid bad behavior
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Never keep more animals than you can handle or exceed legal limits
Having a dog is hard work and it’s an investment in time and money; your dog may dictate how well you get along with the neighbors. Pick up after your pet and do everything in your power to ensure that you don’t get shunned because of Susie Schnauzer’s bad behavior.
Article written by Medina James, DogEtiquette.info.
