--- title: Tips for Choosing the Best Neighborhood for Your Dog description: Finding a neighborhood for your dog is important if you consider your four-legged friend a member of the family. Ask these 7 questions before a move. image: https://blog.homesandland.com/hubfs/Screenshot%202021-03-29%20170157.jpg --- [![Homes & Land](https://blog.homesandland.com/hubfs/Images/hnl-logo.svg)](https://www.homesandland.com/) - [Homes](https://www.homesandland.com/homes) - [Rentals](https://www.homesandland.com/rentals) - [Agents](https://www.homesandland.com/agents) - [Commercial](https://www.homesandland.com/commercial) - [Open houses](https://www.homesandland.com/open-houses) - [Land](https://www.homesandland.com/land) - [Mortage](https://www.homesandland.com/mortgage) - More [Rentals](https://www.homesandland.com/rentals) [Agents](https://www.homesandland.com/agents) [Commercial](https://www.homesandland.com/commercial) [Open houses](https://www.homesandland.com/open-houses) [Land](https://www.homesandland.com/land) [Mortage](https://www.homesandland.com/mortgage) - [Log in](https://www.homesandland.com/account) - [Blog](https://blog.homesandland.com) - [Advertisers](https://advertise.homesandland.com/advertise) [How a Realtor Makes Home Buying Easier](https://blog.homesandland.com/how-a-realtor-makes-home-buying-easier) Buying a home is one of the most significant financial decisions you’ll ever make, but the process... [Read More](https://blog.homesandland.com/how-a-realtor-makes-home-buying-easier) [13 Cities That Will Pay You To Move There](https://blog.homesandland.com/13-cities-that-will-pay-you-to-move-there) The physical act of moving is often a hassle. But starting over somewhere fresh and new can be... [Read More](https://blog.homesandland.com/13-cities-that-will-pay-you-to-move-there) [5 Benefits Of Living In The Countryside](https://blog.homesandland.com/5-benefits-of-living-in-the-countryside) Are you over the hustle, bustle, and cost of city living? What draws us somewhere at one point in... [Read More](https://blog.homesandland.com/5-benefits-of-living-in-the-countryside) [5 Questions to Ask Your Realtor When Selling Your Home](https://blog.homesandland.com/5-questions-ask-realtor-when-selling-home) If you’re like most home sellers, you probably already know that [working with a realtor](https://blog.homesandland.com/need-realtor-help-sell-home-top-dollar) can mean so... [Read More](https://blog.homesandland.com/5-questions-ask-realtor-when-selling-home) [10 Step Guide to Selling Your Home](https://blog.homesandland.com/10-step-guide-selling-your-home) Ready to put your home on the market? Many people hope for a stress-free sales process, but the... [Read More](https://blog.homesandland.com/10-step-guide-selling-your-home) [Home](https://www.homesandland.com/) [Homes & Land Blog](https://blog.homesandland.com) > Tips for Choosing the Best Neighborhood for Your Dog --- # Tips for Choosing the Best Neighborhood for Your Dog *By Megan Wild, Author of [Your Wild Home](https://yourwildhome.com/) * If you’re like most people, your dog is a friend and family member. When you buy a home, you want a place your fluffy friend is going to feel comfortable in. That surely includes a neighborhood that’s dog-friendly. How can you find the best neighborhood for your dog? That’s a good question. Here are seven tips. ## **Check Into Laws and Restrictions** Don’t be shocked, but some counties, cities, neighborhoods and residential associations have laws or regulations against pets. They may be against certain animals, specific breeds or a blanket restriction against all animals. Many condominium homeowners’ associations (HOAs), especially, have the latter. You don’t want to move into a new place and find out your dog isn’t allowed at all. Be sure to start with the county and city and move into neighborhoods and associations. If you need permission from an HOA board, be sure to get it in writing. [![neighborhood for your dog](https://blog.homesandland.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/HL-Dog-in-Home-1024x682.jpeg?width=770&height=513&name=HL-Dog-in-Home-1024x682.jpeg)](https://blog.homesandland.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/HL-Dog-in-Home.jpeg) ## **Find Out What You Need for a Permit** While you’re checking into laws and regulations, find out what you need to obtain a dog permit in each neighborhood. You’d be surprised by how much municipalities and locales differ. The expense may differ markedly as well. Some, for example, simply want proof of rabies shots. Others may want multiple vaccinations and proof of them. There’s no one rule for which is the best for your dog, but you do want to get a permit if one is required in the area you move to. ## **Explore Whether the Neighborhood Is Pet-Friendly** Take a weekend day to walk around the neighborhood to see whether the neighborhood feels pet-friendly. There’s no one universal sign of this, of course, but it helps to get a sense of whether you and your dog would feel comfortable. Are there people and dogs strolling around, for example? If so, it’s a sign that your neighbors have pets, so you and your dog will feel at home there. Are dogs snoozing by chairs as their people finish up lunch at a restaurant? Do stores have treats on the counter or signs saying pets welcome? All of these are the type of vibe you’re looking for. ## **Check the Number and Proximity of Dog Parks** More and more areas are getting dog parks, either as stand-alone places or designated areas of larger parks. These can be great for dogs to get their exercise, and they’re also wonderful ways to meet fellow dog lovers. These parks have dog runs and can have equipment just for them as well. Check both the number of dog parks in the area you’re thinking of buying a home in and their proximity to your home. In [a city like Harrisburg](https://www.triplecrowncorp.com/best-dog-parks-in-harrisburg/), there are many choices. ![](https://blog.homesandland.com/hubfs/HL-Nearby-Hiking-for-Dog-jpg.jpeg) ## **Look at the Local Traffic Patterns** You also want to look at the local traffic around your house. Whenever you and your dog go out, there’s a chance your furry friend will interact with traffic. After all, a passing squirrel could look really good and could cause your dog to dash to his side … across traffic. Is there traffic that could pose a danger to an off-leash dog, especially an excitable one? Ideally, you want minimal, slow-moving traffic. If that’s not what the neighborhood has, would the amount of traffic be manageable in terms of your dog’s safety? ## **Think About Whether Your Yard Has a Fence** If your dog is going to play in the yard, [it’s a good idea to have it fenced](https://www.wikihow.com/Install-an-Underground-Dog-Fence). Is it already fenced, or can it be fenced easily? There are several reasons for having a fence. The first is your fluffy friend’s safety. They won’t be darting into traffic if playing in a fenced-in yard. The second is that good fences really can make good neighbors. Dogs vary in their flexibility and comfort when it comes to new people, especially children. It may not be a good idea for neighboring children or adults to be able to come into your yard, or have the possibility your dog could enter their yards. [![neighborhood for your dog](https://blog.homesandland.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/HL-Dog-outside-home-1024x682.jpeg?width=770&height=513&name=HL-Dog-outside-home-1024x682.jpeg)](https://blog.homesandland.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/HL-Dog-outside-home.jpeg) ## **Look for Pet Services Nearby** It’s likely your dog will need a veterinarian at some point. Will you be traveling to one you already know? If not, it’s a good idea to have one nearby, in case of emergencies and just for the sake of convenience. A groomer close by is also very convenient and can cut down on the stress for your dog if there are travel issues. Look to see where the nearest pet store is as well. You can drive to these, but the nearer a source of food, toys and necessities is, the better. If you board your dog when you go away on vacations, look to see where the nearest kennel is. You could even make an appointment to tour it. Your dog is as important as a friend or family member. Be sure to choose a neighborhood where your fluffy friend is welcomed, legal, safe, comfortable and happy using these seven tips.   Learn something new? Want to pass an idea to a friend? Share the knowledge with your network! ![Share to your network!](https://blog.homesandland.com/hubfs/Homes_And_Land_October2018%20Theme/Images/share-arrow.png) [Articles](https://blog.homesandland.com/tag/articles) ### Select a Category - [Buying a Home (83)](https://blog.homesandland.com/tag/buying-a-home) - [Real Estate Marketing (49)](https://blog.homesandland.com/tag/real-estate-marketing) - [Selling a Home (38)](https://blog.homesandland.com/tag/selling-a-home) - [Home Ownership (30)](https://blog.homesandland.com/tag/home-ownership) - [Articles (21)](https://blog.homesandland.com/tag/articles) - [Featured (20)](https://blog.homesandland.com/tag/featured) - [Renting a Home (12)](https://blog.homesandland.com/tag/renting-a-home) - [The buying journey (11)](https://blog.homesandland.com/tag/buying-journey) - [Building a home (10)](https://blog.homesandland.com/tag/building-a-home) - [For Agents (10)](https://blog.homesandland.com/tag/for-agents) - [Home Improvement (8)](https://blog.homesandland.com/tag/home-improvement) - [Home Values, Credit & Mortgage (8)](https://blog.homesandland.com/tag/credit-and-mortgage) - [Interior Design (8)](https://blog.homesandland.com/tag/interior-design) - [Landscaping and Gardening (5)](https://blog.homesandland.com/tag/landscaping-and-gardening) - [The selling journey (5)](https://blog.homesandland.com/tag/the-selling-journey) - [real estate agent (5)](https://blog.homesandland.com/tag/real-estate-agent) - [Loans (4)](https://blog.homesandland.com/tag/loans) - [real estate (4)](https://blog.homesandland.com/tag/real-estate) - [Blog Posts (3)](https://blog.homesandland.com/tag/blog-posts) - [Credit (3)](https://blog.homesandland.com/tag/credit) - [Financing (3)](https://blog.homesandland.com/tag/financing) - [Mortgages (3)](https://blog.homesandland.com/tag/mortgages) - [architecture (3)](https://blog.homesandland.com/tag/architecture) - [Housing Market (2)](https://blog.homesandland.com/tag/housing-market) - [Taxes (2)](https://blog.homesandland.com/tag/taxes) - [home buying journey (2)](https://blog.homesandland.com/tag/home-buying-journey) - [Company News (1)](https://blog.homesandland.com/tag/company-news) - [Foreclosures (1)](https://blog.homesandland.com/tag/foreclosures) - [Infographics (1)](https://blog.homesandland.com/tag/infographics) - [Negotiations (1)](https://blog.homesandland.com/tag/negotiations) - [Videos (1)](https://blog.homesandland.com/tag/videos) See all - Helpful Links and Resources: - [GET HELP From a real estate professional](https://www.homesandland.com/agents) - [VIEW Digital Magazines](https://www.homesandland.com/magazine) - [ORDER Homes & Land](https://www.homesandland.com/magazine) - [RESEARCH Local Mortgage Rates](https://www.homesandland.com/mortgage) - [ADVERTISE In Homes & Land](https://advertise.homesandland.com/advertise) #### [![real estate infographics](https://blog.homesandland.com/hubfs/Homes_And_Land_October2018%20Theme/Images/finger.png) Interactive Infographics - Home Improvement - Real Estate](https://blog.homesandland.com/tag/infographics) ## SIGN UP FOR EMAIL UPDATES ## Recently Added ## [How a Realtor Makes Home Buying Easier](https://blog.homesandland.com/how-a-realtor-makes-home-buying-easier) Buying a home is one of the most significant financial decisions you’ll ever make, but the process can be overwhelming. From finding the right property to… [Read More »](https://blog.homesandland.com/how-a-realtor-makes-home-buying-easier) ## [13 Cities That Will Pay You To Move There](https://blog.homesandland.com/13-cities-that-will-pay-you-to-move-there) The physical act of moving is often a hassle. But starting over somewhere fresh and new can be super exciting. The downside? The cost. Unless you have an… [Read More »](https://blog.homesandland.com/13-cities-that-will-pay-you-to-move-there) ## [5 Benefits Of Living In The Countryside](https://blog.homesandland.com/5-benefits-of-living-in-the-countryside) Are you over the hustle, bustle, and cost of city living? What draws us somewhere at one point in our lives can easily change over time. As many people… [Read More »](https://blog.homesandland.com/5-benefits-of-living-in-the-countryside) - [Sitemap](https://www.homesandland.com/sitemap) - [Terms of Use](https://www.homesandland.com/terms-of-use) - [Privacy Policy](https://www.homesandland.com/privacy-policy) - [About Us](https://www.homesandland.com/about-us) - [Contact Us](https://www.homesandland.com/contact-us) - [Partners](https://www.homesandland.com/partners) © 2026 NewPoint Media Group, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity