Dogs & building work

[EpicUsername]

We are planning a downstairs extension and I was wondering if any dog owners who've done similar can share experiences. How did it affect your dog? Did they cope with the disruption? What did you do about needing to leave the dog?

I was thinking about doggy daycare as a solution. Get the dog out of the craziness for a couple of days. But not sure we could do every day for the whole build and that might not be fun for the dog anyway.

Moving out probably not an option as finding short term lets that are pet friendly is hard. That would obviously be the best option though.

Any experiences you could share with me?

[LumelaMme]

The dogs got to know the builders, and then slept through most of it. I kept them safely out of the way, and there were no problems.

[EpicUsername]

That's reassuring. Were you at home with them the whole time? Or did you go out & leave them in the house?

[LumelaMme]

I was at home most of the time, but they were okay being left. They were separated from the builders by a closed door (though the builders could and did come in to use the loo). We've had quite a bit of work done on this house over the years (it needed it!) and the dogs have never been a problem with workmen. I've always introduced them, so that they know the workmen are friendly, and that's been it.

[OnlyTheDepthVaries]

We are right in the middle of major building work at the moment...loft and side extension and garden landscaping. We have 2 labradors who live out in a kennel and run during the day. They have been fine with the builders and have enjoyed the entertainment. Things a bit more difficult this week as Dladydog is on heat and Dboydog has lost all sense of reason. So, we are keeping them apart...builders are aware and helping.
Chaos ...but it will be ok one day.

[EpicUsername]

Thanks both. I am thinking I would have a secured room for the dog to be in, especially when I have to be out of the house. And maybe doggy daycare for the day I am out studying as just a dog walker would mean the dog being alone with all the noise & disruption.

[LumelaMme]

If it's not a nervous dog, and it gets on with the builders, I wouldn't worry about doggy day care.

[cupcake007]

Our dog was fine. Our builder loved him and let him out for me while I was at work. He slept (in a separate room) and enjoyed the extra fuss!

[EpicUsername]

This is so reassuring, thank you all. I feel so much better about the whole thing.

[mando12345]

Our builders loved our dog too:) they shared their lunch with her.
I brought her bed upstairs and put her in our bedroom when we were out. When we were in she varied between upstairs with us and downstairs in the garden with the builders.
She was fine, I was just very careful with the back gate, if people coming and going then she was upstairs with us.

[Lucisky]

We had major works done a little while ago - we had to use the study as a sitting room for the duration,(22 weeks) so cramped. I was worried because our dog (now sadly departed) hated loud noise. I was amazed because he was not bothered at all, even with 3 days of pneumatic drilling in close proximity, although it drove me up the wall. If we went out he was shut in the study. He just seemed curious about everything and liked having random people making a fuss of him. He couldn't work out the new bits, and would cock his leg over new block work though, he couldn't understand that what used to be outside was now inside! Don't worry, your dog will be fine.