How to Maintain a Dog Friendly House For a New Pet

If you are a dog lover and a pet owner you know that creating a dog friendly house for your new pet helps them settle in and feel at home. Read on to learn our top tips for creating a dog friendly environment in your home to welcome your new pet.

How to Maintain a Dog Friendly House for Your New Pet

puppy lying down in a dog friendly house — A dog friendly house has a dedicated space for your pet to sleep

Photo by mtsjrdl on Unsplash

Living with a dog means ensuring their safety at home, especially if you’re a new pet owner. Start by eliminating potential hazards your dog might be tempted to explore, like open food on the counter or exposed laptop cords.

However, you don’t need to sacrifice your decor or chocolate treats completely when you create a dog friendly house. Here are some tips to create a safe environment for your dog without compromising your lifestyle.

Make Your Home and Yard Escape-Proof

A dog that can dash off into unfamiliar territory faces significant risks. Until your dog consistently obeys the stay command by an open door, you must take additional precautions to ensure their safety indoors. Using indoor or baby gates is a simple way to keep your dog away from open doors.

Be particularly vigilant if visitors or maintenance workers are coming and going. For short-term situations where your dog might escape, consider placing them in their crate with a treat. If your yard has a fenced area, ensure the fence is high enough to contain your dog. Some dogs can jump surprisingly high, so research your breed’s capabilities.

Allocate a Dedicated Space in Your Dog Friendly House

Pets like cats and dogs are naturally curious about open and closed spaces like dryers, loose cabinets, and other potentially dangerous places. To minimize worry and keep them safe, it is important to provide them with their designated area. This space should include a cozy bed, a fixed feeding bowl, and safe toys to keep them entertained and away from hazardous spots in your home.

Consider setting up a washing area in your bathroom with enclosures and a drainage system for easy cleaning. For litter needs, provide a cat litter box and a similar setup for your dog, but keep these away from their feeding areas.

An entry and exit door from your mudroom to an enclosed outdoor area can allow your dog to explore safely without encountering cars. A pet fountain and durable toys can make this space more enjoyable, offering easy access to water and entertainment. You can also buy a Dog Whelping Bed for your dog to nap and rest comfortably.

Pet Grooming and Hygiene

Grooming your pet can be challenging. However, handling it yourself instead of hiring professionals can save you money. You can then invest in better grooming and cleaning for your pet and home. Brushing your furry friend both before and after washing can help prevent hair from clogging the drain during baths and minimize hair shedding on your carpet afterward.

If your flooring and fabrics are not pet-friendly, you’ll need to learn how to remove stains as they occur. Keep an eye on your pets and be prepared with effective stain removal methods to discourage them from forming bad habits.

Feeding and Nourishing

We often buy it in bulk to save money on pet food. However, storing large quantities can be challenging, as it is susceptible to contamination and easy access by your pet. To prevent this, create a storage area with a latched door; these doors are difficult for pets to open.

Although it is common to store food in large garbage cans in the garage, over time, the food may become contaminated due to high temperatures and the plastic containers, which can compromise the nutritional value of the stored food.

woman on a laptop with a dog on her bed — Pets feel at home in a dog friendly house

Photo by BRUNO CERVERA

Final Thoughts on How to Maintain a Dog Friendly House

A dog friendly house encourages a dog friendly lifestyle. And while it may initially appear challenging it gets easier. Over time, it will become second nature as you grow more attuned to potential hazards. Stay updated on common hazardous materials even if you’re an experienced dog owner.

New products regularly enter the market, and many everyday household items can pose significant risks to our dogs

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