Being a fur-parent is a rewarding experience, but it’s not without challenges. We have two Belgian Malinois puppies at home and I can’t count the number of times they drove me crazy with the mess they create. Still, I can’t imagine life without them and so instead of continuously getting upset at the problems they tend to cause, I’ve implemented steps to prevent these problems from occurring in the first place.
Here are dog proofing hacks:
1. Invest in a nice dog bed.
The thing is, dogs enjoy curling up on the couch and if they get bored or they have lots of unused energy, they will end up chewing your couch and throw pillows to relieve their anxiety – even if they have dozens of toys lying on the floor . So what you can do is use a couch cover and have a designated dog bed in the area where your pups usually hangs out in so they can go to their own bed instead of spending time on your couch.
2. Use furniture covers.
To protect your furniture from drooling, shedding hair, and dirt, you’re better off putting covers on your furniture. You can buy these on Amazon, and they’re easy to wash and maintain. If they get dirty, you can just take them out and wash them.
3.Choose easy to clean fabrics.
If you’re still in the process of buying new furniture, go for those with easy to clean fabrics. No matter how well-groomed and well-mannered your pup is, he or she will still bring debris and dirt inside your house. So it’s best to choose fabric that does not easily get dirty and can withstand washing every once in a while.
4. Give your dog lots of stuff to chew.
Dogs will often chew on things because of anxiety so giving them chew toys will keep them preoccupied. If this does not work, find toys that allow you to put treats inside to encourage your dog to play with the toy in an effort to get the treats out.
5. Keep your dog well-groomed.
This means your dog should have his nails trimmed. This will not only save your furniture but will also prevent your pup from getting their nails broken, which can be painful for them.
You should also brush their hair every day and get their hair groomed regularly so they don’t shed as much.
6. Train them not to chew on your furniture.
This can be a challenge but basic training can come in handy if you don’t want your pup to keep damaging your furniture. The first training should be to get them to stay on a dog bed instead of the couch or any furniture. If he attempts to go to the couch, point towards his bed from her. Then when he does obey, give him a treat. Do this consistently so they get accustomed to it.
7. Choose sofa that come with removable seats.
With this kind of sofa, you can remove the individual cushions and covers and wash them to remove pet stains and odors.
8. Stock up on lint rollers and packaging tape.
Shedding is a constant problem when you have a dog so it’s best to have hair removing tools like lint rollers and use them regularly to keep your furniture hair-free.
You should also consider getting your furniture deep-cleaned 1-2x a year. Professional cleaners like Merry Maids have the equipment and know-how to do this. It may cost a bit of money but it’s worth it in the end.
