For those fortunate enough to have a dog, it's a good idea to consider him when you contemplate making renovations to your home. Carefully thought out changes will benefit both you and your furry friend.

My wife, Lynn, and I have two small children, and many dogs. Brandy, our Wire Fox Terrier, was responsible for the initial floor renovations in our first house. As she became older, she was no longer able to go a full day without relieving herself in the house. Changes were in order.

We removed the old carpet and installed easy-to-clean wood flooring. Area rugs (which could be easily removed and cleaned) and dog beds were put on the floor.

Because our first house was an older home, we installed wide, pine boards. This inexpensive flooring was easier to maintain than the carpet, it was more in keeping with the house, and it increased the house's value. The only drawback was that, pine, a softwood, scratches more easily than hardwood. But this wasn't all bad. Our dogs quickly "aged" the new floor so that it fit in perfectly with the original wood flooring in the rest of the house!

About ten years ago, we moved into another old house -- located on 25 acres in the country. We immediately ripped up all the wall-to-wall carpeting that existed throughout much of the house. We found original maple flooring underneath most of the carpeting. All it required was refinishing. The hard boards hold up well against the constant abuse from the dogs' nails.

When the carpeting in our family room was removed, we realized we'd need new flooring. Part of the floor was old maple; the other was cement. Since that room is where our dogs stay the most (it leads into the fenced-in yard), we decided on an even harder material than wood.

We installed easy-to-clean ceramic tiles. Tiles are durable and a wise resale renovation. We chose gray tiles with a dark gray grout to help hide the dirt that's constantly tracked in from the yard. The dirt, and the odd "mistake" made by one of the puppies can be efficiently cleaned up with a mop and a cleaning solution of vinegar and water.

The floor is cool for our dogs in summer. In winter, the dogs sleep on a sofa bought just for them, or on dog beds scattered about the room. The furnace keeps the room warm. We also have a small, efficient wood stove installed in this room, which we use only when we're around to monitor it.

We installed a cherry floor for our bedroom; it doesn't get as much dog traffic as the other rooms. But the hardwood flooring holds up well to any dog activity.

Wainscoting was commonly used in older houses, so we put it up in our daughter Gleannan's room. We did it, not only because we're restoring our home, but because we figured the walls in Gleannan's room needed protecting!

For the same reasons we wainscoted our daughter's room, we installed pine wainscoting in rooms where our dogs spend much of their time. We don't anticipate the dogs putting holes in the walls (although that isn't out of the question), but the wainscoting will add protection.

Having raised numerous dogs, including several puppies and a few older dogs who like to chew, Lynn and I have had to continually make minor adjustments around the house. We've become quite efficient at dog-proofing our home. We make sure dangerous items such as electrical wires, poisonous plants and other harmful substances are inaccessible to both our dogs and our human children.

Dog crates are beneficial in raising dogs of any age. Crates keep them out of trouble in certain situations -- repairmen in the house, visiting children, etc. But it's important for the dog to see the crate in a positive light and associate it with good times. Get him used to going inside by giving him a treat. Put in a favorite, safe toy, a blanket, anything that will help him get comfortable with his own space. But don't put him in the crate as a form of punishment. Most of our dogs who've been raised with a crate of their own seek the refuge that their "den" provides, especially when they want some quiet time to themselves.

A fenced-in yard was a priority with both our houses. It gives the dogs a safe place to snooze, play and exercise outdoors. And we don't have to worry that they'll run away or wander into the road.

While installing floors and wainscoting are large renovation projects, there are always minor changes and adjustments to be made. With our extended family, we've had to make more concessions than most people. (I've only metioned a few.) But even caring for one dog will mean some changes are in order. And a word of advice: When making those changes, be sure you like them -- or can at least tolerate them.

Living with many dogs involves a fair amount of work, adjustment and compromise. But with careful planning, education and a little foresight, changes can be worked out with minimal inconvenience. By keeping your dogs in mind when considering making renovations, you can provide them with comfortable, happy lives, while enhancing your own.

N. Glenn Perrett's book A Dog For Life: The Practical Guide to Canine Care is published by Hounslow Press.