Can I Keep My Dog In My Garage?

Dogs are known for being highly flexible which makes them able to adapt to almost any environment. But can they be kept in a garage?

Yes. Dogs can be kept in a garage, provided you keep them away from harmful objects and chemicals. 

The best place to keep your dog is inside your house, but a garage can be as comfortable as your house if it provides a safe and comfortable environment.

A kennel can modify your garage into a much comfortable habitat for your dog.

How To Make Your Garage Safe/A Living Space for Your Dog

Do you know that with adequate planning, you can make your garage a safe living space for your dog? Yes, you can!

Do you want to know how? Let’s go!

• The first thing you want to do here is to modify the temperature of the garage like you know the garage tends to be too hot or too cold and both conditions are not favorable to your dog.
  • Get and install a climate regulatory device such as a fan, heater, or AC, in your garage considering the prominent climatic condition. 
  • Ensure that the temperature is not too cold or too hot.
  • Don’t forget to keep the cords of these devices away from your dog.

• Clear out a corner in your garage and set up the dog’s bedding there, let the bedding be soft, and use heated bedding when it’s very cold or raise the bedding off the ground.
• Place water and a food bowl with a sufficient amount of water and food for your dog, close to the dog’s bedding. 
• Place a few toys and bones for your dog to play with when you are not with it.
• Dogs also need interaction, so you need to make sure you play and interact with them often.
• Keep harmful objects and substances out of your dog’s reach. 
• Make space in the garage, so that your dog can exercise a little.
• You can also build a kennel for your dog inside your garage and make the kennel comfy. 
• Ensure that your garage is well ventilated and your dog can get adequate fresh air and sunlight. Add windows, if your garage doesn’t have any.

Signs That Your Dog Is Not Happy In The Garage

As we know dogs can’t speak our language hence they use body language to pass across messages to us. 

Let’s take a look on the signs that your dog is not happy staying in the garage and some warning signs that something is wrong with your dog.

• Excessive barking and whining
• Downward tail carriage
• Dropped Ears and Averting Eyes
• Sluggish and slow to obey commands
• Vomiting
• Red gums 
• Rapid heart rate; this can be a sign of heatstroke
• Dilated pupils
• Low body temperature
• High body temperature 

Why You Should Not Keep Your Dog In The Garage

Though the garage can become a living space for your dogs, there are several, potentially disastrous effects when the garage is not properly arranged.

And when you keep your dog in the garage, you can easily forget all about the dog! Remember: Out of sight, out of mind.

These effects include: 

• Temperature – The garage can get either freezing cold or really hot with the varying climate condition, and this can cause hypothermia or heat stroke in your dog. 
• Dangerous Liquids – Some liquid stored in the garage can cause health issues and even lead to death when your dog consumes them. Such liquids as;
  • Antifreeze – this destroys a dog’s liver when consumed, even the tiniest bit. It doesn’t have a bad smell, and it’s sweet to the dogs.
  • Gasoline – the consumption of this by a dog is deadly because of the ethylene glycol it contains 
  • Motor oil – consumption of this can knock your dog into a coma, though it’s not deadly.
  • Insect sprays, paint, cleaners, polish, are dangerous for your dog as they  are toxic to consume. 
• Tiny items can pose as suffocating risks for your dog. And your dog may not receive immediate health care if this happens, because it’s locked up in the garage.
• Dust and Dirt – Garages tend to gather dirt and dust quickly which create a less than ideal environment for your dog especially if your garage is not well ventilated.
• Carbon Monoxide – Don’t start your car in the garage with the doors closed because dogs are very sensitive to vehicle emissions, even more than human beings. Peradventure, your dogs inhale carbon monoxide, take them outside for fresh air to avert damage.
• If your garage does not have windows, you might have ventilation problems which will not be so good for your dog as your dog needs fresh air and sunlight too.
• While in the garage, you may not be able to notice anything wrong with your dog and seek medical help on time.

Why Your Dog Should Live Inside Your House

The best and ideal place to keep your dog is in your house, where your eyes can be more on it.

Really, dogs should live inside your home, remember they are social creatures, they like interacting with you. 

The garage is not an ideal living space for your dogs, except if you don’t have any other option.

This is why you should keep your dog inside your house;

• Dogs are social creatures that love attention, locking them up outside makes them lonely and it also makes them become overly hostile. 
• Like we already know, they can develop health challenges such as heat stroke, hypothermia etc.
• Keeping your dog outside gives it more opportunities to escape.
• Keeping your dog inside makes them less stressed and more behaved.
• Indoor dogs are easier to train. And they keep you company too.

What Breed Of Dog Is Safe To Keep In The House?

Yes, not all types of dogs like staying indoors. Some dogs are just too active to be kept indoors, while some dogs love the cozy nature found indoors. 

If you keep outdoor dogs inside, you will end up with stretched doors, trashed couch, 

Here are some breeds of dogs that are safe to keep in your house, that’s indoor

Bulldog

Bulldogs are a peaceful breed of dogs. They are either too big or too small. They are muscular and love sprawling around. They love the cozy comfort of the house, they don’t need much exercise. Bulldogs are the perfect family pet, because they are historically known to form a strong pact with the children.

Maltese 

This breed of dogs love to be pampered and they can exercise well inside the house. It’s better to let them exercise inside the house than outside because they don’t easily adapt to weather changes.

Pugs

These are very playful and social dogs, which makes them very good indoor dogs. They need just a little exercise and grooming. They are really easy to maintain.

Chihuahua

Chihuahuas are good indoor dogs. They are lively and quite small but very fiercely protective of their owners. They can’t stay under cold weather. Therefore, they need to stay always warm. Hence, your house is the best place to keep them. And they don’t need too much exercise and grooming.

Bolognese

Bolognese are smart, cute small dogs. They don’t need too much exercise, a short walk is enough for their exercise.

Greyhound

Greyhounds, although quite on the larger size, are very submissive, which makes them a good indoor breed.

Papillon

This is a breed of dogs well suited for staying indoors. They love sitting on your lap, unlike the greyhound.

Boston Terrier

Boston Terrier are good indoor dogs because they can be home trained very easily.

Affenpinscher

One good quality this small lovely dog has is that it doesn’t shed. So you won’t need to clean up any hair.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

These dogs are playful and can easily adapt to any environment. They are good companions of elderly people.

Labrador Retriever

These dogs are intelligent, loyal and get along really well with children. Hence, it’s the perfect family dog. The Labrador Retriever loves staying with people.

Boxers

Boxers are not expensive to maintain, and they just need a small dose of grooming. They are cheerful and friendly with children. 

Miniature Schnauzer 

This breed of dogs are playful, friendly, and smart dogs. They are easy to train, and are very good with kids. They also have excess energy and enjoy lots of mental incitement. As a result, they get naughty when they are bored. So, you need to keep them busy.

Corgis

Corgis have a good personality. They are very friendly, sensible and energetic. They are easy to train and can make terrific guard dogs.

Bichon Frise

Bichon Frise are small, intelligent, playful and very friendly. Don’t be deceived by their small size – they have a lot of energy. They are also terrific with children.

Safety Tips For Kids Who Live With Dogs In The Same House

Yes, the house is the ideal place to keep your dog, but things can go wrong if you keep your dog and kids in the house without closer supervision.

Here we are going to look at the dos and don’ts for a dog owner who also has kids.

These tips will ensure that both your kids and dogs grow up in the same house with minimal or no disaster.

•  Don’t allow your crawling baby to be on the floor with your dog, except you are there and watching over them because a wrong reaction from either of them can lead to a disaster.
• Keep your kids from approaching a dog while it’s sleeping, if the dogs get startled, things can go wrong.
• Don’t allow your kids to take things out of your dogs mouth
• Don’t allow your kids to touch or hug your dog without permission, teach them to ask for the dog’s permission first.
• Stop your kids from throwing things at your dog or mistreat the dog, as this can make the dog aggressive, and you don’t want an aggressive dog around your kids.
• Except your kid is much older, don’t allow the kid and your dog to sleep on the same bed.
• Dogs love to chase, so please teach your kids not to run around dogs. It’s always better to walk with dogs.
• Always correct any wrong behavior your dog might display around your kids.
• Teach your kids how to interpret dog’s body language.
• Also provide a resting place for your dog, where your younger kids can’t reach it.
• Ensure that your dog has a lot of positive associations with your kids. You can let your kid give food rewards to your dog.
• Train your dog to be polite to kids and teach your kids to be polite with your dogs.

Conclusion

Any place can be transformed into a favorably living space for your dog free from all sorts of danger.

Whichever place you choose to keep your dog, don’t forget to interact with it often and ensure it exercises from time to time as this helps them both physically and mentally.