Any advice for managing dogs whilst the builders are in?
We have a small garden which is going to become smaller.We are extending into it.
Should we contain the dogs within the house whilst the work goes on?
They have always been used to free access via a flap into the garden. I am not sure really how this will work if we are not at home and the builders need access to the house.
OH thinks a large cage in the garden but I think they will just bark and get stressed, if they can see strangers in 'their' garden.
Any experiences or comments please?

Karen

I think you should make the dogs accept the  builders and let them get on in harmony while your around. (Just so long as the builders don't leave a gate or such open which could let them dogs escape and cause injury to themselves)

When your out, as at the end of the day you don't know what goes on when your out, you should put your dogs in an area of the house away from the builders. Even if your dogs are used to having the run of the house and garden, keeping them confined to a certain area, say with their baskets there, will not hurt them for a few hours will it!

Caging them in the garden probably would upset the dogs if they are not used to that and then caused them distress as you said. Try to keep things as normal as possible, to show that nothing is wrong with these strangers coming and going about your house and garden! 

I would not put them in a cage they would get stressed with people in their garden. Can you not give them access and allow the builders in another door? Builders and dogs do go, out of our 25 only 1 is anti dog. But if you have a small garden and an extension if it were me Id leave them either with a reallie or dog minder. If, god forbid, they were in the garden and got out you could not blame the builder, if they need access, which for an extension they do need either you or someone would need to ensure that a) dogs dont get hurt and b) builders dont as some animale do get fazed by drills, breakers, floor saws most of which would be used to break into the extension from the main house area. Plus you should allow access for welfare facilities on site for your builders unless they have arranged a portaloo them selves.

Having lived through this ... good luck to you! ... I would strongly suggest containing them in an area of the house where builders will not need access. Our builders got rather too familiar with our dogs, resulting in complaints from a neighbour because dogs were barking when builders let them out and threw balls for them.

Would also suggest you check your boundaries each day before you let them out of the house. In my experience, despite being told how important it was, builders aren't as keen on keeping your garden secure as you are.

Suppose the only other suggestion would be if you could build a temporary pen around their dog flap, but if this encroaches onto areas where work is taking place this may not be practical.

M.

Some of this will depend on the builders but things to watch for in my experience:

Until you've had an opportunity to assess how your builders interract with your dogs it's a bit difficult to make firm decisions but I would make provision to enclose the dogs in a 'safe' place whilst the work is going on.  Presumably you will be around as normal to walk your dogs so it's not as if they'll need extra attention just because the builders are there.

Don't expect anyone else to shut doors and gates - the builders will have other priorities and may not even notice.  Be prepared to check the garden before letting the dogs out - there may be hazards such as tacks and nails to tread on, or rubble which one of my dogs used to eat!!  Watch the dogs with the builders, mine would feed bits of sandwich, pies and chips to my older dog cos he looked hungry - it didn't seem to matter what I said he'd do it anyway so as this dog had a cast iron stomach I would just reduce his meals a bit to allow for the cream cakes as well.  One of our window cleaners would deliberately tease a neighbours dog as he thought it was funny - it may be worth observing how they behave with your dogs before leaving them within sight of each other.  The builders are going to generate a huge amount of dirt and mud whilst the work is going on.  When we had a conservatory built I gave up with the back garden and moved all exercise off site as the trenches had filled up with water.  It was lead access in the front garden for emergencies or proper walking - a bit of a hassle but it was safer and cleaner.

We were once lucky enough to have someone in to decorate that was a very experienced dog man - he was brilliant, but sadly this was a rarity.  The majority of them have been very well meaning but a bit of a nuisance with the dogs and even a cat that we once had.  This cat went home in the van and had to be brought back later, covered in plaster dust.  If you can get someone to be there to supervise dogs and builders whilst you are out so much the better or do consider letting the dogs go somewhere else it'll be less stress for all of you.

Thank you all so much.
The work wont be starting for a little while yet(hAh.....whatever that means!).
If it was at all possible I would love them to right out of the way but suppose it is going to be too long a job.
I think they will have to have lots of extra outings and be confined to a small area of the house.
Not going to be an option caging them........husband does know really, just enjoys winding me up.
I am anticipating a long haul and regrets (until it's done), also do understand my responsibilities to dogs and workers.

Karen :)