10 Tips for Helping Your Dog Through A Renovation or Remodel

Renovating your home is exciting in theory. In reality, it’s loud, messy, and a little chaotic. It can be rough on your pets! I’ve had multiple messages about this particular topic. If you’ve ever watched your dog try to make sense of demo noise or a crew of strangers walking through their space, you know exactly what I mean. It can feel unsettling for them- even if everything is going according to plan. Having gone through multiple renovations with dogs at home, I’ve learned this is one of those situations where a little intention goes a long way. During each home remodel, Emmett and I have always had our furry family members by our side. We wouldn’t have it any other way, but renovations can be stressful for pets and their safety is always our primary concern. Click through to read my ten tips for helping your dog through a renovation or remodel!

The timing couldn’t be better to chat about renovating and dogs because we’re in the midst of remodeling our en suite. See the latest primary bath update here! As with any renovation plans for our primary bath renovation are delayed and changed when things happen… like Emmett falling through the kitchen ceiling. Thankfully he’s fine and the ceiling is fixed, but moving onto our dogs- they’re suffering through it with us, and here’s how…

1. Create A Safe Place

Our dogs know their “safe place”… even if we’re not renovating, their happy or safe spot is their bed or crate. They genuinely enjoy spending time in their safe place and will even put themselves to bed there each night. When things get stressful, we send them to their safe spot for peace and comfort. It’s a good habit for any situation: house guests, mail delivery, an unexpected knock at the door, renovating, etc. Your dog needs one area that feels untouched by the renovation. What matters is that it stays consistent. I like to think of this space as their version of a finished room while everything else is in progress.

2. Supervise Your Dog In The Construction Zone

This probably goes without saying, but keep a VERY close eye on your pup in the construction zone. Renovation zones are full of hazards you don’t normally consider, like tools, debris, and exposed materials. Even a quick moment of curiosity can turn into a problem. Our dogs like to eat anything and everything… dried mud, bits of drywall, insulation, plastic- you get the point. I watch them closely to prevent anything from going into their mouths. Finn was especially bad about eating paper, cardboard, and tape… bless his heart. I miss that big guy!

3. Show Them There Is Nothing To Be Afraid Of

Dogs look to you for cues. If you remain calm and relaxed around new sounds and activity, they’re more likely to follow your lead. Let them observe from a distance. Give them time to adjust.
Our dogs basically get a treat buffet if something new or loud is happening. At this point, they know loud noises, tools, and giant pieces of material come in and out of the house. Since they’re often rewarded when something potentially scary happens, they’ve learned it’s just part of our routine. I literally have to move them out of my way to vacuum and shampoo the carpet- nothing phases them anymore.

4. Stick To A Routine

If one thing matters most, it’s this. Keep a consistent schedule so your dog knows what to expect. I feed our dogs every night at the same time, go for a walk or play, Emmett and I work on a project, we make dinner, snuggle on the sofa, then go to bed. It’s the same every night and I think they enjoy the consistency. When everything in their environment starts to change, their routine becomes the anchor. During one of our bigger projects, I noticed our dogs were far more relaxed on days when I stuck to our normal schedule, even if everything else in the house felt upside down. It’s hard to believe Crosby was that little (pictured above), he was the cutest puppy!

5. Keep An Eye On The Gate or Door

This sounds simple, but it is one of the easiest things to overlook. If you hire a contractor or have nice friends or family willing to lend a hand with your project, keep an eye on gates and doors. We’ve had friends help in the past and since they weren’t aware how our door shuts, it didn’t latch properly. I quickly realized Finn was missing and noticed the front door was wide open. He ran out the open door and was wandering around our neighborhood. Luckily someone spotted him and brought him back home. Now I always keep that in mind and closely monitor the backyard gates and entryway doors. Pets are little escape artists, so don’t give them the opportunity to run into a dangerous situation or escape.

6. Brush Up On Training

A renovation is not the time to introduce new habits, but it is a great time to reinforce the basics. My dogs are very good at the “leave it” and “drop it” commands mostly because of construction projects. As I mentioned in #2, they’re constantly trying to eat things they shouldn’t. I know if they try to scarf something while I’m watching, I can make them spit it out with a stern “drop it”. On the contrary, if I see them eyeing something they shouldn’t, I’ll give a “leave it” command. This really gives me peace of mind and helps me feel more confident bringing them into our work zone. After all, they’re super nosey and always want to be by our side. They like hanging out while we work and their obedience allows them to do just that! Even a few minutes a day working on these can make your life significantly easier during a remodel.

7. Close Off or Dog-Proof The Construction Zone

Just because the crew has left does not mean the space is safe. Closing off the space or doing a quick sweep at the end of the day helps prevent issues. You could easily use pet gates to close off the construction zone. If your dogs often roam the house, it’s an easy way to keep a certain area restricted. In addition to closing off the room, we always clean up anything harmful or hazardous in case they get past our first line of defense. I would never want them to chew a live electrical wire or eat something poisonous that could kill them, when puppy-proofing and cleaning up a space is so easy. This is essential, in my opinion! Better safe than sorry.

8. Respect Contractors and Keep Your Dog Put Away

Not everyone likes dogs… that’s shocking, I know. I’m not friends with those people, but hey- whatever. Joking (sort of)! If you hire a contractor, your dog will usually end up in his or her way. That wastes your contractor’s time, which equals your money. Keeping your dog secured while contractors are working is not just safer, it’s respectful. It’s best to keep your dogs crated or sequestered in another room, away from hired help. It allows them to focus and keeps the workflow moving smoothly. I’ve found setting this boundary from the beginning makes the process feel more professional.

9. Go The Extra Mile

Honestly, Emmett and I struggle with this one because projects tend to keep us preoccupied and take up a ton of our time, but it truly makes a difference! Whether it’s extra walks, treats, a new toy (that’s Crosby’s favorite), a special outing, a car ride, an adventure, or a swim- treat your dog to something extra they enjoy. These small efforts help burn off nervous energy and give them something positive to focus on. They’ll feel less neglected or confused during the renovation and will be happier getting additional attention. A happy dog listens, feels safe, and is less anxious.

10. Monitor Stress and Anxiety

Lastly, even if you’re doing all of these things, it’s still important to monitor your dog’s stress and anxiety. Behavior changes like pacing, hiding, loss of appetite, or becoming unusually clingy are all signs they may be overwhelmed. If your dog can’t cope with construction or remodeling, it might be time to consider boarding them, enrolling them in doggie daycare, or asking a family member to watch them for the project duration. We’ve never had to do this, but I’ve heard of some dogs who truly can’t cope. Every dog handles change differently. Some adjust quickly, others need more support. If something feels off, it probably is. In that circumstance, it’s probably healthier to send your dog to a better environment during the extremely stressful construction days (extra loud noises, vibration from heavy machinery and tools, etc).

A Thought From Experience

There is no perfect, seamless way to live through a renovation. There will be moments that feel a little chaotic. That’s part of the process. The goal is not to eliminate every disruption, but to soften it when possible. In my experience, simple, consistent things make the biggest difference for our dogs.

Questions?

Related Posts

We’re dog people and if you read this far through the post, you probably are too. Here are some more posts that help us live with our dogs…

• How to Remove Scratches from Hardwood Floors
• National Painting Week Humane Society Makeover
• How to Clean and Care for Natural Fiber Rugs (Without Ruining Them)
• How to Deep Clean Upholstery and Refresh Your Living Room for Spring
• Family & Pet Friendly Sofas
• The Story Behind My Dog Portraits + A Peek at Crosby’s

Hopefully this post offered insight and ideas to alleviate stress for your dog during your construction, renovating, or remodeling projects. They look to you for comfort and safety; their attitude will reflect how you handle and introduce them to the situation. Help your dog navigate the uncertainty in a calm and confident manner! With a little intention and a few thoughtful changes, you can create a sense of stability even when everything around your house is changing. I’m happy to answer any questions in the comments below. Trust me when I say, we’ve completed A LOT of dog training over the years. You guys know I’m all about the dogs. I’ll link a few favorite dog items below.