one. Focus Anyone who has played catch-a-dog has a good example of a dog’s laser focus. In our culture of distraction, focus is a rare beast. To succeed in owning the best home, develop a single-minded focus on the project through to completion. You, your family and your dog will benefit for decades to come.

2. Hunting A dog’s most basic interest is hunting, not only for food, but also for shelter and a partner to raise a family. This is basically what house hunters are all about. Home and family, including the family dog, are essential to human and canine happiness. While house hunting is often laborious and time consuming, enjoy the hunt as the dog would.

3. Trust your nose A dog’s sense of smell is its keenest sense; he or she uses it to investigate everything. In real estate we call this due diligence, doing the math, checking all aspects of a purchase, asking questions, studying the research. It also means sniffing out situations beyond what the numbers indicate, trusting your nose for an advantageous situation.

4. Jumping Dogs rarely hesitate before getting into a situation, for example when the ball falls into a puddle. The competition for the best houses is usually tough. While it is often easier to walk away, the weak heart has never won a fair home. This does not mean that one should act in a hurry. Here the dogs are also an excellent example. They sniff around and approach new situations cautiously. But when they are certain of their prey, they seek it out instead of second-guessing themselves, as we humans are wont to do.

5.Team players Dogs get excited when you walk into the room. They are never in a bad mood and they never blame or judge you for anything. They cheer you up when you’re feeling down and support you no matter how tough things get. They are members of your pack and respond with loyalty and trust. Real estate also works best when everyone comes together, family, real estate agents, lawyers, inspectors, lenders, etc.

6. Bury a bone We get angry when our dog digs in the garden to bury a bone, but he is following a primal instinct that wisely tells him to save up for a rainy day. This is excellent advice for both owning and maintaining a new home. Having financial reserves can often make the difference between success and failure. Avoid becoming “poor in the house.” Your dog will love you just as much in a cheaper home. What matters to him or her is you and the family.