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I remember my dad spending the majority of his time in our garage fixing things or just tinkering around. While he was in the garage, he always had his best friend, our dog Prince, in the garage with him.
Dogs are like children; we bathe them, feed them, care for them when they are sick and we love it when they are finally potty trained. Because they are like our children, we want what is best for them, which means that we work hard to keep them healthy and safe. A garage can be one of the most dangerous areas of a home for both children and furry friends. Follow this guide to keep your dog safe when they are hanging out in the garage.
Poison
Dogs are extremely curious and will lick or eat just about anything they find. It is important to store anything that is poisonous high above where pets and children have access to it. Try installing a shelving system in your garage to keep these items high enough and out of your way.
Remember that just because it might be sealed doesn’t mean that there isn’t poison residue on the outside of the container. Whenever someone is dealing with poison, it is important to wear protective gear and to wash-up after to keep you, your family and your pets safe.
Dangerous Tools
Have you ever stepped on a nail or a sharp tool? It is extremely painful and can also be very dangerous. Keep your dog safe by storing nails and dangerous tools in containers, cabinets and drawers. This way your dog will be able to roam freely in your garage.
During the winter, my dad would shave our dog in the garage. After shaving him, while sweeping up fur, my dad would occasionally find a few nails. Sweeping regularly in your garage and inside your home will protect paws and feet by eliminating harmful objects.
Garage Doors
My dog was always excited to bolt out of our garage to chase a bird just as we started closing the garage door. Luckily,he was fast enough that the garage door didn’t ever close on him.
Many automatic garage doors come with a sensor that stops a garage door if it senses something under or around it. Even with a garage door like these, it is still important to watch children and pets around garage doors to keep them safe.
Extreme Temperatures
When I first got my dog, he was only allowed in the garage during the night until after some pleading he made his way onto my bed. Some dog owners may prefer for their dog to sleep in the garage.
If you plan to make a living space in your garage for your dog, it is important to take into account the temperature of your garage. Many garages get extremely hot in the summer and can drop far below freezing temperatures in the winter. Consider installing an AC unit or place a space heater in the garage to keep your dog healthy during all seasons.
When you are done doggy-proofing your garage, add something to personalize it just for your dog, such as a ball bag where you can store their toys or bucket holders where you can keep clippers and doggy shampoo. These suggestions will help keep your dog safe, happy and healthy whenever they are in the garage.
Janae Harker is a content creator for Classic Garage Solutions, a company that specializes in garage storage systems in Lincoln. Janae enjoys taking her four-year-old Border Collie on hikes and camping.
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