My fight with a 2 car garage in Suburbia!

[bknudtsen]

**Dec 14, 2012 Updated after a looong break**

March 2010

So, here's the deal... I love my garage, and I hate my garage. When I bought my house 7 years ago, I had a 6 year old, 4 year old, and a 6 month old child. I did not have any toys to speak of, and my tools all fit in a toolbox. I actually parked one of my vehicles in the garage. I know! Weird. The garage was drywalled and fire taped, but did I take the time to finish and paint it? No, that would be too easy.

Fast forward 7 years... My kids are older. They have bikes, balls, bats, skateboards and scooters. I have accumulated a number of tools and toys. I built a Jeep XJ, 3 motorcycles and countless other projects. One side of the garage was mine, the other was my kids and the place where my wife dropped off everything that she did not want in the house.

My garage, while not perfect, was routinely a place where I would find solice after a long week at work, or a busy day with the kids. But, and this is a big BUT, I always hated the kid's side of the garage. It was cluttered, unorganized, and inefficient. All these things worked in concert to encroach on the solitude that I sought out on my side of the garage. I did what I could, but the battle never ended.

Then the dog came along; A 14 month old German Shepherd. He is a Police K9 and needed a kennel space that was both secure and warm. So, away went 25% of my side of the garage. Perfect!

Fast forward another 4 months... Now, here is where things start to get better. I was at Lowes looking for a shut off valve, when I passed by the garage organization section. I looked over a spotted two large Coleman storage cabinets on clearence for $69 marked down from $198. Holy ****! I snatched them up and quickly ran them home, unloaded and took off to the other Lowes in the area. One more smaller version of the above, and two base cabinets later, and I was set.

Here's some before shots that I found on the computer.

The black bike is gone, as is the welder in the background. Money is tight as we all know.

Here's a shot of my workbench and open storage shelving. The clutter always bothered me.

In the background you can see the typical clutter on the kid's side. Sometimes better, sometimes worse.

After a long couple of days, this is where I am at. It's not finished, but it's getting better. Let me know what you think, as well as any ideas you might have to finish it up. Oh, and my camera *****, so the pics are not the best.

I am looking for wall cabinets to put where the hoses are hanging. The base cabinets are where all my vehicle care stuff goes. The tall, narrow cabinet holds all my household maintainence stuff.

I keep all of my motorcycle riding gear in the big cabinet with the jacket hanging on it.

The big cabinet is where I put all of the kids' balls and sports equipment. The scooters are hanging on the wall next to it.

Thanks for looking!

Brad

 

[keepup]

Unfortunately, too many of us can relate Brad. But fight the good fight my friend. For me, it took moving to a new state to get my man cave currently in progress.

 

[Mark-in-NH]

Then the dog came along; A 14 month old German Shepherd. He is a Police K9 and needed a kennel space that was both secure and warm.

The dog even came with his own car !! COOL

The garage clean up and reorganization looks great. Good Job !
It is amazing just how much stuff a person can accumulate over time and most times it is the poor garage that gets it.
I need to do some of the same in my garage this spring. I think it's time to have a BIG yard sale with lots of guy stuff in it

 

[ZRX61]

Why does the dog need to stay in the cage?

 

[deathbound]

I can definitely relate, have 8 & 5 year olds with more toys than they can play with.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Why does the dog need to stay in the cage?

"He is a Police K9..."

i.e. If he decides he doesn't like you for any reason he will EAT YOUR FACE OFF and he's police property and I suspect there are rules as to the housing of him. Is that a somewhat accurate description, Brad?

 

[bry@n]

I was wondering why the dog is in the crate in the garage but maybe with the kids and it's a police dog......

We can all relate to some extent. I bought a shed andmake sure the wife uses the attic and basement. Otherwise all her **** would be in my garage.

 

[Sammy7]

Close off the top of the kennel and you have some more storage space.

 

[tdkkart]

Did you know the cops are at your house........???

Nice job of reorganizing.

We've always had 2 garage rules:]
#1. (her rule) I can have anything and do anything in the garage as long as there's space for the wife's car.

#2 (my rule) I will abide by rule #1, however kid and house **** does not go in the garage, that's what the basement and shed in teh back yard are for.

Both these rules sorta went away last year when we bought our new place with a 2 stall on the house and my 30x40 in the side yard. Now I get 1 of the house stalls plus my whole building.

 

[bknudtsen]

It's funny how I post a garage report and get so much concern for the dog. I think it's cool that you guys care, so let me address your concerns...

Why does the dog need to stay in the cage?

To him, it's his house. A place where he can get his rest and feel secure. He spends more time in the back of the car, and it is smaller. It's just the life of a working dog, I guess. Trust me, he lives like a king!

"He is a Police K9..."

i.e. If he decides he doesn't like you for any reason he will EAT YOUR FACE OFF and he's police property and I suspect there are rules as to the housing of him. Is that a somewhat accurate description, Brad?

The word "LIABILITY" pretty much sums it up. He has a nice temperment, but you never know. My goal is to intergrate him into the house, but for now, he and the cats don't get along. The cats might get the boot if they don't shape up. The PD has policies on how the dog should be kept, but the kennel is really a place for him to get his rest. I have a fenced back yard that he gets to goof off in when the weather is nice. If the garage doors are shut, and I am in the garage tinkering, then he is out with me. He comes in the house when the cats are locked away in my room.

I was wondering why the dog is in the crate in the garage but maybe with the kids and it's a police dog......

No problem with the kids. They are part of "The Pack." It's all the other people around that I need to worry about. The last thing I would want is to have an unintentional bite.

 

[87GN]

Nice garage, let's see pictures of the dog. Here are mine and hanging with Santa.

Mark

 

[bknudtsen]

Nice garage, let's see pictures of the dog. Here are mine and hanging with Santa.

Mark

That first picture is hilarious!

 

[87GN]

cool looking dog!

 

[Holedgr]

Wow! Definitely cool lookin' dog....scary at the same time....Would hate to be on his bad side...

-T

 

[RbrtAWhyt]

Why does the dog need to stay in the cage?

He's what we call an "*** eater"...

 

[nwi45]

What type of kennel is that? I also have a 2 car garage and I have a 1 year old pitbull that I would love to do something like that for!

 

[holland_patrick]

Ikea is what i suggest for the cabinit

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S79870265

I'm looking at it myself

 

[ZRX61]

If that was my place the cats would be compost..

 

[stewart]

Thats sad how you guys treat those dogs. He's got less freedom than the people he protects you from.

 

[61scout80]

Thats sad how you guys treat those dogs. He's got less freedom than the people he protects you from.

i would be willing to bet that dog has more time to burn off energy each day than your average house dog. GSD's are incredible animals, but it takes a lot of work to maintain one as a LEO. that shepherd gets a lot more mental and physical stimulation than most, including mine.

 

[cyamaha2007]

It looks nice i know when i shared my garage i almost wished i could completely seperate my half from the family half no mater how nice id clean up mine it would still be messy.

 

[bknudtsen]

Well this is fun.

Thats sad how you guys treat those dogs.

Please explain to me what you know about how we treat our dogs.

He's got less freedom than the people he protects you from.

So do you. At least we are doing something positive about it instead of casting ignorant accusations on a garage forum. Thanks for the constructive input.

 

[bknudtsen]

Ikea is what i suggest for the cabinit

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S79870265

I'm looking at it myself

Not bad! Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[Mark-in-NH]

Thats sad how you guys treat those dogs. He's got less freedom than the people he protects you from.

Yup This sure is a abused and neglected, mistreated unhappy dog. Just look at him.
I suspect that this dog will live a better life and do more to help man kind than most humans will.
I would say what I think is Really Sad, but then I would be kicked off the forum for being rude!

 

[bknudtsen]

i would be willing to bet that dog has more time to burn off energy each day than your average house dog. GSD's are incredible animals, but it takes a lot of work to maintain one as a LEO. that shepherd gets a lot more mental and physical stimulation than most, including mine.

Nice looking pup. You are correct. My dog is not wanting for anything. Sh!t. He has a better retirement plan than me. Medical and food covered 100%.

 

[bknudtsen]

Yup This sure is a abused and neglected, mistreated unhappy dog. Just look at him.
I suspect that this dog will live a better life and do more to help man kind than most humans will.
I would say what I think is Really Sad, but then I would be kicked off the forum for being rude!

Thanks for the support. I am seething about that persons comment. I had to rewrite my response several times until it was professional. Makes me want to delete this whole thread and start over, though.

 

[Mark-in-NH]

Thanks for the support. I am seething about that persons comment. I had to rewrite my response several times until it was professional. Makes me want to delete this whole thread and start over, though.

My Pleasure !!
Thank you for the job you do and a special thanks to your furry partner. Give him a nice big scratch behind the ears for me.

 

[wagonmaster]

Don't consider removing your post! It's well written and the subject matter is most interesting. Thanks for all you do!

 

[Crizzle]

Don't remove the post. Garage is looking good. And most any good dog owner knows that our furry friends need to have their own "den" space to call home. Den animals need a den, its that simple. Bailey, our mini schnauzer, would rather be in her crate during the day when we aren't home than out and about in the house.

 

[61scout80]

Thanks for the support. I am seething about that persons comment. I had to rewrite my response several times until it was professional. Makes me want to delete this whole thread and start over, though.

Eh, don't let it get to you. over the last ten years i have been arguing on various message boards only to find when i meet the users in real life they are decent people. It's hard to pick up intent in black and white text, and most people will say negative things with the anonymously of the internet they would never consider in real life.

You know how good your partner has it and most of us do too. I would love to hear some of your stories from the job, working shepherds are very interesting to me.

 

[pugh433]

nice 250x! I cant wait for the snow to melt to rack up some miles on mine.

 

[holland_patrick]

Not bad! Thanks for the suggestion.

Not a problem......



Don't worry about the haters.... E-thuging isn't a crime... yet....



PS firemen rule..

Only you can prevent forest fires

 

[stewart]

Hello bknudtsen

Some quick comments about my previous post in your thread.

4 months ago wife was was looking to buy a house from a local policeman who was also K-9, she saw dog in same cage. Guy told her he must say in it when at home. Now I see your post, same cage, I'm thinking cruel. If the dogs must be kept this way, scrap the K-9 project, it isn't right. I see most people today keep dogs in crates for extended periods (10 hrs while they're at work, not saying you now). I seeth over that the way you seethed over my post. Hell, I buy eggs from cage free hens only. I didn't want a dog but the wife did. I said OK but no crate and no room restrictions (I'm no sap either, he doesn't sleep in the bed w/us). Every trainer and others always say "He loves the crate, he feels safe there!". Dogs are higher order animals, I just don't buy that they love those cages.

Anyway, glad to hear you feel it is important to treat him as best you can.

And never seeth over anything anybody says. Remember talk is cheap!

 

[bknudtsen]

Hello bknudtsen

Some quick comments about my previous post in your thread.

4 months ago wife was was looking to buy a house from a local policeman who was also K-9, she saw dog in same cage. Guy told her he must say in it when at home. Now I see your post, same cage, I'm thinking cruel. If the dogs must be kept this way, scrap the K-9 project, it isn't right. I see most people today keep dogs in crates for extended periods (10 hrs while they're at work, not saying you now). I seeth over that the way you seethed over my post. Hell, I buy eggs from cage free hens only. I didn't want a dog but the wife did. I said OK but no crate and no room restrictions (I'm no sap either, he doesn't sleep in the bed w/us).

Thanks for the explaination. Many Departments require that THEIR dogs be kept in a kennel for liability purposes. Some dogs are way too aggressive/destructive to be kept in the home. Some just need a structured environment. In any case, that K9 Officer your wife met was just following Dept policy. Besides, these dogs have to go to work 8-10 hours a day just like us. They need their rest. Does your dog get 8-10 hours of directed attention and activity a day?

Every trainer and others always say "He loves the crate, he feels safe there!". Dogs are higher order animals, I just don't buy that they love those cages.

This is what the FBI would call a "clue." My dog has a enclosed dog house within his kennel. Why is it that he sleeps in the small enclosed dog house, when he has all the room on the floor of the kennel on which to stretch out?

Anyway, glad you hear you feel it is important to treat him as best you can.

I won't say that all K9 Handlers are perfect, but we live and work with our dogs for as long as 8 years before they retire. Many handlers have raised their dogs from pups. You can't tell me that there is not a bond established there. Hell, I spend more time with my dog, then my wife and kids.

And never seeth over anything anybody says. Remember talk is cheap!

Your talk was not cheap. It was meant to inflame, otherwise you would have explained yourself in your first post. I had just gotten home from 8 hours of training in the wind and rain, and of course I was upset to be accused of mistreating my toothsome friend. He gets all the fun of running around tracking bad guys through the mud and brush and city streets, and all I get is soaked, dirty and tired.

Cheers! I'm over it.

 

[bknudtsen]

PS firemen rule..

Holy ****! I have not laughed out loud like that for some time. Thanks man!


Oh, and the youtube video was funny too.

 

[stewart]

I needed to know you love that dog!

 

[bknudtsen]

nice 250x! I cant wait for the snow to melt to rack up some miles on mine.

Thanks! It's a really fun bike. I am saving for a dirt wheel set up, so that I can get some double duty out of it.

 

[holland_patrick]

Holy ****! I have not laughed out loud like that for some time. Thanks man!


Oh, and the youtube video was funny too.

Ya but the funniest thing that i LOL about is one of the guys i work with Looks just like fireman Jake and he is from Cali....

 

[bknudtsen]

I needed to know you love that dog!

I brush him everyday. I wash him at least once a month. I check him for injuries after each application. I monitor his weight constantly to keep him from getting too heavy, which can hurt his joints. I feed him only a Vet approved diet. I spend over $150 a month in just electricity alone to keep his kennel area warm.

More importantly, I praise him everytime he does something correctly. If I have to correct him, I always end the drill on a good note. I offer him affection whenever possible. I play ball with him. My kids play chase and hide-n-go-seek with him in the house.

He is loved by everyone in the household, except the cats. They hate him.

 

[bknudtsen]

Ya but the funniest thing that i LOL about is one of the guys i work with Looks just like fireman Jake and he is from Cali....

It is so true to form. "Cop 'stache" and "Hip Fireman"