Ideal Living Space for Dogs

[rich]

Hello, my name is Richard and I am an architecture student currently doing a project on high rise living. I am trying to design an apprtment block that would be suitable for dog lovers and would love it if anyone could tell me what they think would be essential to make it work.

What would be in your ideal home as a dog lover?
What would make a home more dog friendly? Maybe how you would change your own home to better suit the dog.

Thanks. Richard

 

[gapeach]

Hey Rich, don't know if this might help but: My dad works at retirement home, they are allowed to have dogs, but have to put them in a kennel and wheel them outside (to prevent lawsuits if someone may get bit) would be extremely difficult for the older people to even have medium sized dog, I was thinking separate elevators for dog people. Ideally everyone could get outside without bumping in to others, maybe a big patio where they could have grass planted to do *business* Just some thoughts

 

[gapeach]

Oh and a slide out bin to put dogfood in like some of the trashcans are now (trashcan too, so dog couldn't get in it so easy) And maybe same thing to put crate in for storage Or sliding gates for when you're not at home

 

[Renee750il]

That's an interesting project, Richard.

I'll definitely do some pondering . . .

Right offhand, I'd say one of the most important things would be to put soundproofing insulation between apartments.

A separate entrance/exit for use with dogs that passes through a mud room would be appreciated by all - especially the janitorial staff, and a dog washing facility would be a boon to all; not just the dog owners!

 

[EliNHunter]

Oh, great ideas! How about a dog-friendly dog park type courtyard with grassy area in the middle surrounded by tables and chairs on brick flooring for dog owners to socialize while their dogs play? Supplied of course with those little posts with poop bags and bin for disposal such as you see at apt. complexes now?

 

[bonster]

A 'dogwash' at a ground entrance would be a great idea - I've actually seen a large holiday appartment complex in Spain where there was a car / jetwash and 'dogwash' (large tub+shower in a cubicle) at the main entrance! Otherwise any communal areas would get wet/muddy - esp if carpeted as some London appartment hallways are.
Otherwise considerations I've thought off off-hand would be safe balconies/outside walkways/stairways and windows (which are probably mandatory for humans these days anyways).... no room for critters to squeeze through
and outside poop bins in communal fenced-in green areas w/benches would be great

wonder if the postman/mailman would get 'danger money' for visiting this block

 

[bubbatd]

How about using the roof of the building with a few kennels, grassy area, and an area they can be turned out to pot ....This could be a fairly large area with pea gravel (or pee gravel..haha) With the pick up bags and a covered can to dispose.. Brick walks with benches and container pots of flowers , small trees etc. Would really appeal to go there rather than walk outside on leach.

 

[smkie]

GOOD FLOORING!!! no carpets..let them put down throw rugs or something like that if they want padding! I would so love to throw everybit of the carpet right out of the door and have my good hardwood floors back! They got stuff made of plastic now that looks like wood.but wears like concrete. That is what i would want and i would think the owner would too.

 

[EliNHunter]

GOOD FLOORING!!! no carpets..let them put down throw rugs or something like that if they want padding! I would so love to throw everybit of the carpet right out of the door and have my good hardwood floors back! They got stuff made of plastic now that looks like wood.but wears like concrete. That is what i would want and i would think the owner would too.

I need that! My poor old (once) beautiful hard oak floors (thoughout my house) are worn down to the core and look like barn planks! I had them refinished once, but what's the point? Guess I'm going for that "rustic" look

 

[smkie]

i like the rustic look! Especially in the old dime store downtown,,the flooring i saw in a magizine looked just like wood..but was a new hard plastic instead. That and the heated concrete floor rule too.they can mix colors into them and they look great.

 

[bubbatd]

I love old flooring!! No varnish to chip from nails and just need Murphy's oil soap to clean. Some of my floors were redone before I moved here. The living room still has the carpet and I would love to know what shape the wood's in. If and when I can replace carpet, I;ll rip up first and see what shape they're in.

 

[maui]

long

Bottom up window shades.

Large tile ceramic floors would be awsome. Especially if it were heated from underneath. As mentioned previously, throw rugs with thick pads are the most convenient. Also, baseboards should be ceramic as well.

Dogs scratch kitchen cabinets hunting for food. Is there a way to make them "scratch free"? And lockable? Some dogs (and cats) turn on stoves. It's a common complaint.

Dogs run through rooms, maybe there could be straight paths so they don't knock everything over?

The dream house would have "Dirt Colored" entries and mud rooms. The mud room would have a small shower/bath with a lowered handheld shower head for easy cleaning. If this can be made with a rubber bottom, it would be really helpful. Dogs slip on everything. Also, even though this is an apt. building, I would prefer to wash my dog in my unit, not in a garage, or outside. Feet washing before entering the building is a must, but a big bath? I would feel funny about that. Think about cleanouts for the pipes, dog hair clogs.

Hooks for leashes. Storage for towels.

Personally, I would vote against "built in" crates, etc. Because different dogs use different types. Some eat wires, some sleep better in plastic... I would make a special area for crates, but keep it alterable.

An extra small freezer for kongs etc. in the dog area... gosh I'm not picky or anything!

If there is an elevator, possibly there could be an easy little slide out opaque "fence" to put up in case two friendly dogs just don't get along?

A dog recreation room for inclimate weather, training seminars, etc.

A dog concierge. This could be your resident dog trainer who walks the dogs for a small fee (and/or tips?), comes by and gives pets a kong toy or his favorite bone, etc. Maybe this person is paid through association dues and can help stave off "issues" arising out of pet boredom. Possibly everyone gets XX amount of hours with the dog conceirge per week?

Also, this may sound a bit snobby... I would set up rules, and offer twice monthly training paid through apartment association dues. If tenants don't follow the rules, they need to be evicted. Sorry, but I would never consider living in a dog apt. community if there was any danger or annoyances, like biting or excessive barking.

Good luck with your project, sounds like fun!

 

[EliNHunter]

A dog concierge. This could be your resident dog trainer who walks the dogs for a small fee (and/or tips?), comes by and gives pets a kong toy or his favorite bone, etc. Maybe this person is paid through association dues and can help stave off "issues" arising out of pet boredom. Possibly everyone gets XX amount of hours with the dog conceirge per week?

Ooooh! This is a GREAT idea! An on-staff pet concierge, to let them out to pot or give meds, etc. while mamma/daddy are at work!

 

[rich]

Thank you

Thanks very much to everyone who replied.

But keep them coming if anyone has anymore ideas.

Cheers!! Rich

 

[Gustav]

Everyone's already used up my ideas!!
Feel free to join in on any other topic Rich!! We're all pretty friendly, and love a bit of Gossip!! Even if we don't know who it's about!! I'm from West London originally! But I escaped!! Where abouts in London are you from?!