Your dog is a member of your family. It’s an oft-cited sentiment that most pet parents would agree with emphatically.
As such, you want to make sure your new Waterloo Region neighbourhood is right for your four-legged companion, as well as all of your human family members.
There are key features of a dog-friendly neighborhood, that you should look out for. Here's a look at some of the most important.
5 Key Features of a Dog-Friendly Waterloo Region Neighbourhood
Finding a home that will also be perfect for your dog can be tough. To some it may even seem like a rather frivolous addition to your home buying wants list. People who think that way are usually not dog owners themselves though. Those who do count a pup among their family members know it's very important that their dog can live a full and happy existence in their new home.
Here are just some of the ways you can determine if the neighbourhood you have in mind will be as suitable for your four-legged family members as for those with two legs.
1. You See Lots of Dogs Out and About
If you’re wandering through your prospective Waterloo Region neighborhood and you see dogs here and there – walking with their owners, playing in their yards – that’s a great sign.
A dog-friendly area is a place where people want to get out and enjoy the fresh air with their pooches. If the streets are bereft of this clue, be wary. It could just be the time of day, but it could also mean the area isn’t ideal for dogs and that they may not be a very welcome addition.
2. There’s a Dog Park Close By
A dog park in your neighborhood is a great amenity for happy dogs and owners – but not all of these parks are created equally.
Check out the park and make note of a few details. Is it a deserted patch of dirt? Is it too small for dogs to run around and stretch their legs? Are the fences around the park sturdy? Are there watering areas and waste areas?
If it looks like a green, lush, well-kept area regularly visited by happy, relaxed dogs, you’re golden.
There are some excellent formal dog parks in the Waterloo Region, and much of the abundance of green space in our area is dog-friendly too. If you like to go on long nature walks with your pup - or even go hiking - lots of Waterloo Region neighbourhoods are in close proximity to the areas to do just that.
3. There Are Nearby Vets, Doggy Daycares and Pet Stores
For a truly dog-friendly neighborhood, you shouldn’t have to drive across town to get all the services you need to take care of Fido.
Make sure there’s a vet nearby that’s convenient, plus a pet store, or a store that has a nice selection of pet supplies. A place to board your dog, or take them for doggy daycare, is also a good sign if one is close enough.
4. The Streets Are Walkable
Dogs require lots of walks and exercise. If the streets in your prospective neighborhood aren’t great for walking, that might make your life harder. Look at the width of the sidewalks and the streets in general. Look at the through traffic – a quieter street is better for walking. Finally, check for waste bag stations along possible walking routes.
5. The Neighbours Like Dogs
This one is a little harder to judge, but it can greatly influence how well your dog gets along in the neighbourhood.
If the neighbors are dog-wary or animal-averse, you may end up getting complaints about barking, digging, or some other behavior. If you can, take your dog on a 'test-spin' walk through the neighborhood on a weekend. Do people you see look friendly? Do other walkers smile or inquire about your dog?
Finding a dog-friendly neighborhood on your house search may not be easy, but it will be worth it. Your dog will be happy and comfortable in your new place, and that will make you rest easier, too.
Another great source of information about the dog-friendliness of a certain Waterloo Region neighbourhood is a local real estate agent. Online listings can tell you quite a lot about a Waterloo Region home for sale, and even helpful basic information about the surrounding neighbourhood, but they can't fill you in on stuff like this.
As local real estate agents who spent basically ALL of their time walking and driving around the areas we serve we can help fill you in on important, but harder to nail down, things like how dog-friendly a neighbourhood is. You can also let us know from the start that your family includes fur kids, so that we can keep this very important information in mind when showing you suitable properties.
