How To Maintain A Beautiful Home As A Dog Owner

How To Maintain A Beautiful
Home As A Dog Owner 

There ain't no bones about it — Americans love dogs. Approximately 89.7 million pooches live in households across the U.S., a number that's increased by a little over 20 million over the past 18 years. 

While there are several benefits of ownership such as companionship, allergy resistance, better heart health, increased physical activity, a decrease in stress and naturally adopting a more active social life, the truth of the matter is, a dog can potentially have a negative impact on your home if you're not careful. Here's what you need to know about maintaining a gorgeous residence without compromising your relationship with your furry friend. 

Keep Your Pet And His Things Clean 
A dirty dog only equates to a dirty — and smelly — abode, so make an effort to keep your pooch fresh and clean. Establish a regular grooming routine that includes a thorough shampoo and trim or de-shedding if you have a breed with long tresses. Research a professional groomer in your area so that you don't have to deal with the hassle of trying to hold your dog down in place while sudsing up. Wipe off muddy or snowy paws before your canine gets into the house to prevent having to clean up dirty prints on the floor. Don't forget that your pet's bed, toys and leashes eventually become smelly, too, so toss them in the wash (providing it's OK to do so) and let them dry out in the sunshine outside to kill additional odors. 

Provide A Comfortable Place To Sleep 
If you want to prevent your pooch from leaping up on the couch or snoozing on your bed, then provide a comfortable place for Fido to sleep. The first step is to research and choose a bed that meets the needs of your dog's size and age. Next, place and introduce the bed and make an effort of pointing it out. Place some favorite toys and treats next to it to make it more tempting. Try providing a command such as "go to bed" while placing a treat in the area — provide an additional treat if this is successful. Repeat these steps until the routine is established and always encourage your pooch to sleep in its bed day and night. 

Prevent Indoor Destruction 
Nothing's more frustrating than torn up walls and chewed up furniture, but there are a few dog-proofing tactics you can implement to prevent a disaster before it happens. Experiment with placing a taste deterrent (such as Bitter Apple) to make areas like the corner of your couch less appealing. Give your hound plenty of acceptable things to chew on so that temptation doesn't set it. It's also important to remember that sometimes destructive activity is because of boredom, so make sure you're spending enough time playing with your pooch, going for walks, or heading to the dog park so that they can expel any pent-up energy. 

Maintain A Beautiful Yard
The outdoors is just as susceptible to damage as the indoors — especially when it comes to your lawn. Like the indoors, prevent digging by providing enough playtime and exercise and plenty of toys and chews. Consider installing a sandbox where your pooch can freely dig without destroying your grass. Many dog owners report success by incorporating digging deterrents such as citrus peels, cayenne, plastic chicken wire, rose bushes and a sprinkler system with a motion sensor. 

Consider Your Flooring Options
Consider flooring options that can be cleaned easily, reduce noise and provide comfort for your dog, thus potentially reducing behavioral problems. If you have carpeting, make sure you're regularly getting it professionally deep cleaned in between weekly vacuum sessions. 

Sadly, the majority of dogs that go into the shelter each year are euthanized, not adopted. With that in mind, make sure you take time to research the various types of breeds to determine which ones would be less apt to wreak havoc on your home. Keep in mind that this is only a guide as previous home life often affects a dog's behavior. 

Photo Credit: Pixabay