As a family pet, not many dogs live in a garage. However, where in your kitchen do you store 20 - 40 lbs. of dog food? How about a cool place to lie down outside the home? Get a bath or groomed without trashing another room in the house? A well designed garage can make dog ownership easier on canine and owner alike.

We’re all zealots for something. Regarding dogs you’re either a dog household or a non dog household. And then there are the dog breeders, which this section won’t even touch, because first we’d have to discuss how you go about garaging your Dodge Sprinter van, not a but the vehicle of choice to transport dogs to the breeder shows.

Garages need to become an area that your dog enjoys, not a quick place to use when non dog people are visiting or an unplanned area for when the weather is too nasty to enjoy outdoors.

Making an ordinary attached garage dog and dog-owner friendly is done by improving the following six areas:

1. Floor. It’s hard to get past a garage improvement without first addressing the floor. Bare concrete is not friendly to the eye and does not lend itself to staying clean, mainly because it starts out looking dirty. See our Directory for Floor Paint & Coverings to review floor options.

A painted floor improves the cleanliness and safety of your entire home. Less dirt is tracked into your home and foreign objects become more noticeable. Leaks and spills from cars and mowers are easier to wipe up and the entire garage area becomes a safer space for your dog. If your garage is heated for the cold months and reasonably cool in the hot months, paint the floor; you’ll enjoy your garage more often.

2. Storage. Storage is a huge key in making a garage a secondary space for your dog. Any dog owner knows a bored dog is a dog headed for mischief. Cabinets for tools, children’s toys, lawn & garden tools, cleaning products, and any other potentially dangerous objects need to be stowed securely. Do not take a chance; dog-proof your garage.

Dog food and treats should also be stored securely. Dog food in plain bags will quickly become fair game.

3. Dog Doors. There are a few considerations to review before installing a dog door First, think about a logical place to put the door that allows your dog to enter and exit the garage to a safe fenced yard. Second, review your options for installation so that you do not end up spending a lot of money. Maybe the floor of your garage isn’t the same as the grade of your yard, it is tough to install in brick homes if there isn’t a service door that opens to your dog’s fenced yard. Third, is the dog door easily removable when it is no longer needed?

Other considerations are security for your home and dog. There are plenty of stories of thieves entering a home through a doggie door as well as unwanted animals.

5. Dog Bath. While not the easiest addition to a dog friendly garage, if your canine companion is the type the likes the beach, muddy walks, or is a “roller”, a doggie bath is very handy.

Since most of us don’t relish lifting dogs into tubs, the best item available is a commercial mop receptor sink, sometimes referred to as a slop sink, but don’t think we’re referring to a wash tub on legs. A receptor sink sits on the floor and has a cut out for your dog to walk into.

Buying one is easy and fairly inexpensive, it is the installation that is the tough part. Most garages have one centered floor drain or possibly one for each bay. Your local plumber needs to survey your garage and determine how the bath best ties into an existing floor drain. New construction will be a snap as it’s the cost of the sink and laying some additional PVC piping.

One advantage to having the floor mounted slop sink is if you paint your floor (#1 above) your sink can serve double duty, keeping your dog clean as well as your painted floor.

6. Screen Door for the Big Door. There are several sources of screening your big garage door. Most involve inexpensive use of hook and loop (Velcro) approach where screen material is fastened to the outside door molding.

The models with zippers on each side can be modified slightly so the sides are fastened to the door moldings with the hook and loop as well as roofing nails or wood screws with fender washers so the zipper is the fastener not the Velcro. This prevents dogs from just nudging that Velcro apart with a persistent muzzle.

As with any garage remodel for dog use, a review of all items your dog can get to, needs to be looked at as potential trouble spots. Slightly elevated beds (so you can clean under and the dog isn’t lying on a cold concrete floor), chew toys and clean water source all need to be provided.