Having a dog as a child is a wonderful privilege—that’s true the majority of the time. However, tasks such as grooming, feeding, and walking your dog can often feel like a side job. Looking after your pup’s well-being can be stressful if you don’t have access to the appropriate equipment, know-how, and tips to get you through.
You can become an expert in the art of mess scratch fixing, mood management, canine nutrition, and other aspects of dog parenting by incorporating these essential pointers into your daily routine. The everyday care of your furry friend will become much less complicated—and they’ll thank you for it in licks and cuddles.
Read on to find out more.
Dog Beds You Can Make at Home
It's surprisingly simple to make your dog a comfortable bed, and it can save you a lot of money. This is an excellent opportunity for those who have always wanted to try their hand at sewing. To make a cheap and cozy pillow, stuff a sweater you no longer wear with padding or cotton batting (which you can get from a local craft store).
If you want to keep your stuffing from falling out of the old sweater, stitch the neck and the sleeves shut after you've finished stuffing it. These do-it-yourself dog beds will save you money and are a great alternative to throwing away perfectly good garments.
Keeping Drains Cleared Out
It's important to bathe your dog, but it's also essential to keep their hair out of the plumbing. How can you maintain a sanitary environment for your dog and your bathtub? Place a baby wipe over your bathtub drain, and push the stopper in. It's bath time, so fill the tub with water and give Fido a good scrub. Keep the wipe flat while you remove the cap.
The wipe will act as a filter, trapping most dog hair before letting the water through. Remember that longer-haired dogs may require you to manually clear the wipe of hair once or twice while the water is draining.
Getting Your Dog to Like Toothpaste
People should brush their teeth and gums twice daily to keep bacteria from thriving in the mouth. Keeping a dog's teeth in good shape is just as important, but the flavor of pet toothpaste puts off many canines. Before brushing your dog's teeth, give its favorite toys a good rubbing with some toothpaste.
Now your pup won’t mind having the new toothpaste applied to its teeth if the introduction to it is gradual and non-threatening. Pets should only use pet-friendly toothpaste. Human toothpaste can be harmful if ingested by your dog compared to pet toothpaste.
Get Creative with a DIY Flirt Stick
If you own a dog, you should get a flirt pole: a long stick with rope and a toy tied to it. Dogs have natural hunting instincts, and this toy is a terrific way to train your dog in a compact space by letting it chase the "lure" tied to the end. But why buy one when you can easily make one yourself?
To get started, reduce the length of a PVC pipe to roughly four feet. Then, with one end of a thin rope sticking out of the pipe, tie a secure knot. Attach a basic dog toy to the rope's end (maybe a piece of braided, upcycled clothing). Your dog can run and play with its flirt pole without breaking the bank.
Include a Variety of Fruits and Vegetables in Your Dog's Diet
Dogs, like humans, eat both animals and plants—and appreciate diversity in their diet. Why not pamper them occasionally if you want to keep them happy and healthy? Frozen apple slices provide a healthy and tasty treat for your dog during the hot summer months and are also full of vitamins and fiber.
While many human foods, such as grains and meats, are acceptable for your dog to eat, others, such as fruits and vegetables, should be avoided. If you want to feed your dog some new products, such as fruit or vegetables, you should consult your vet first.
Always Use A Dedicated Dog Food Container
Even though the original packaging for dog food is often not actually resealable, many pet owners continue to store their dog's food in the opened bag. It's unsanitary to leave food in open bags, as insects can get in, or the kibble can get wet and go bad.
It's simple, though, to ensure that your dog's stomach stays healthy: Once a bag of dog food has been opened, any leftovers should be stored in an airtight plastic container. It may seem unnecessary to buy a new container for your pet, but you can get one for less than $20 online, and maybe even less if you shop around at local pet stores.
Wear an Appropriate Bandana
Wearing a bandana on your dog will make him look great, but more importantly, it will increase his visibility, which is essential for his safety when out in public. At night, your dog will be more visible to drivers if it's wearing a brightly colored or reflective bandana, and you'll have an easier time keeping tabs on it if it's playing in a group with other dogs at the dog park.
When taking your dog for a walk on a hot day, do you wish you could keep them from burning up? Cover the bandana with cold water and wrap it around your dog's neck. Your furry friend will appreciate this cool technique.
Collect Hair Using Rubber Gloves
Did your dog get onto the sofa while the slipcover was in the washing machine? Regular kitchen rubber gloves can be used to clear up the hair. Wear these gloves to "sweep" the hair onto a pile by rubbing your hands over the surface (a rug, a sofa, a pile of clothes, etc.). Static electricity will do the hard work for you.
You could have one pair of rubber gloves around the house for general use and another dedicated solely to picking up dog hair. Rubber gloves should be washed after each use to prevent hair buildup, so you can reuse them as needed.
Make Pups Some Homemade Ice Pops
Just as humans enjoy cooling themselves in the summer with a cold treat, dogs adore the refreshment of cold food as well. To create them at home, mash dog-safe fruit with water, like bananas and strawberries. Once the mixture has been blended, pour it into popsicle molds and place them in the freezer for at least thirty minutes.
After half an hour, add a dog biscuit to function as the edible popsicle stick. The freezer should take another six hours to freeze the mold completely. Greek yogurt is beneficial for the digestive systems of canines. You can substitute a tablespoon (for smaller dogs) or two tablespoons (for larger dogs) of yogurt for water in the ice pop recipe.
Keep An Eye Out for Ticks
Dogs that spend a lot of time outside may be especially vulnerable to tick bites, which can cause arthritis and other health problems. To check for them, you should regularly run your hands over your dog's entire body, including its coat, ears, toes, face, and neck.
Wear disposable medical gloves and a clean pair of tweezers to remove a tick from your dog's skin, then place it in a bowl of rubbing alcohol before disinfecting your dog's wound. You should keep the tick for a few days if your dog develops trouble moving around, seems unusually tired, or stops eating.
Harness the Power of Walnuts
Wooden furnishings may enrich a space with natural warmth. However, it is easy for your dog to mistake the legs of your expensive wooden table for an amusing scratching post, which can quickly ruin the wood's aesthetic value. Light claw marks on wood can be removed using an unexpected home remedy: walnuts. Rub raw walnuts over the area and let the oil do its magic.
After using the nut many times, buff it with a soft towel. In most cases, this technique will eliminate the appearance of scratches. Remember, while this solution is useful for minor scratches, it will be less helpful for deeper gouges in the wood.
Snag a Quality Slipcover
Many dogs shed—some more frequently (and with more to clean up) than others. Nearly all dogs lose their hair to some degree, which may rapidly transform your couch into a royal mess. Investing in a slipcover for your sofa is the best option, and caring for it is a breeze.
The slipcover should be removed from the sofa and shaken out in the fresh air or washed in the washing machine whenever it becomes covered in dog hair, which could happen within days or weeks, depending on the dog.
Create Your Own Bubbles and Have Fun
Dogs are as fascinated with bubbles as children are: they enjoy chasing them around. However, there's no need to go out of your way to buy a bubble machine. Using scissors, insert a plastic straw into a hole cut in the bottom of a plastic cup. Make the bubble solution by combining three cups of water and half a cup of dish soap in a bowl and stirring it gently until the soap dissolves.
This is the ideal outing for families with young children and a dog. The bubble maker and bubble blowing will be a lot of fun for kids. Your dog will have a great time trying to catch the elusive bubbles, too. Just be careful not to let them eat too many, as soap can give dogs diarrhea.
Remove Odors and Dirty Urine Spots
Housebreaking a puppy is a lengthy process, and even adult dogs still have accidents. Yet there is a simple method for eliminating urine odor and urine stains. Dog owners should always have baking soda —it’s a wonder cleaner. As soon as you've soaked up as much pee as you can with a paper towel, sprinkle roughly a quarter cup of baking soda over the area.
Any remaining odor or stain will be sucked up. Allow the baking soda to rest on the stain for as long as possible (ideally overnight), and then remove it by vacuuming or brushing it into a dustpan. That’s one less mess over which to stress!
Get Rid of Hair Using a Dryer Sheet
One of the greatest pleasures in life is cuddling up with your dog. But one of the most irritating tasks in life is trying to remove dog hair from your clothing afterward. Remember to pick up a hair roller. Use the sheets to rub the hair off your clothes, and the problem will be solved.
Apply the same method to every other surface in your house. Just don’t rub the dryer sheet on your dog to collect the stray hairs from your pet's fur. There is a risk that your dog will consume the toxins from the sheets if it licks its coat afterward.
An Easy Way to Brush Teeth
When it's their first time, many dogs are reluctant to have their teeth brushed. Getting your dog used to the taste of toothpaste is an essential first step, but there are other techniques you can use. To start, massage the dog's cheeks (away from the gums) to calm it down.
Then, use some medical gauze wrapped around your index finger (instead of a toothbrush) to clean the gums and teeth. Once your dog is more at ease when you touch its mouth, you may be comfortable with the real thing: toothbrush and toothpaste made specifically for dogs.
Use A Chest Harness or Leash
Although traditional neck leashes and collars are an easy way to maintain control of your dog while walking, they can be dangerous for dogs of certain flat-faced breeds (such as bulldogs) due to the restriction of their airway. Instead, try a chest leash or harness, which gives you more control without putting as much strain on your dog's neck.
There are some drawbacks to using a chest harness or leash, such as the fact that they are more cumbersome to put on than a collar. The collar may be more comfortable for some dogs than the chest leash. Take your dog to a pet store to try out both before making a final decision.
Begin a Game of Tug-of-War
Have you ever felt like you were out of fun things to do with your dog and are tired of playing fetch? Consider the time your gym teacher split the class in half for a spirited game of tug of war. The same principle applies to your dog, whose innate hunting behavior makes it good at grabbing and pulling on things with its teeth.
For city dwellers without a sizable backyard, this is a fantastic alternative to long-distance ball throwing. Depending on your dog's size, you can even play tug of war in your living room.
Set Up a Dig Site
Canines were bred to dig and have always made holes as protection from harsh conditions or to store bones and food. Although asking a dog to suppress its instincts and cease digging up your yard or garden may be impractical, it is well within your power to channel your dog's digging energy in a more productive direction.
By consistently putting the dog's toys in the dig pit, you can teach it to associate that space with good feelings. After a while, your dog will dig in that spot, leaving the rest of your yard undamaged.
Convincing Your Dog to Take Medicine
A surprising number of dog owners either need to learn this or remember it when it comes time to administer their pet's medication. To mask the medicinal taste, wet food, which tends to have a strong flavor and aroma, is ideal for mixing medicine into food.
Its strong flavor will help disguise the taste of the medication, so your dog will ingest it. Unfortunately, there are still some medications that should not be taken while your dog is hungry. Before trying this, ask your vet and check if your dog's medicine can safely be given with food.
Make Use Of Natural Oils
According to veterinary recommendations, adult dogs should be bathed about once every four weeks to maintain their healthy skin and coats. However, after a month has passed, the unpleasant dog odor can start to cling to your furniture. In between dog washes, mix a cup of baking soda with about 15 drops of lavender oil to neutralize odors around the house.
Spread the baking soda over your furniture, bedding, carpets, etc. You can try substituting another essential oil for the lavender if you prefer. Before applying an essential oil to your home, you should consult your vet to ensure it is safe for dogs.
Preparing a Quick Stew
While your dog most likely wants the dry food you provide, you can add some variety by soaking the kibble in warm water before serving. Warm water will release the aromas of the food, elevating even the most important meal to a four dining experience, and the water will also thicken the food and make it more filling for your pet.
Like their human companions, dogs enjoy a hearty helping of comfort food now and again. Remember that dry food is good for a dog's teeth, so this should only be given occasionally as a treat. The food could go off if it sits in warm water for too long.
Sanitary Urine Collection
Providing a urine sample to a doctor is, for most people, an embarrassing and unpleasant experience. Nonetheless, it is an essential tool for vets to see what's going on inside our dog’s bodies. If you want your dog to urinate in a cup, you'll have a hard time convincing him to sit still, aim, and urinate into it.
There is a simple long-handled spoon that can be used to collect your dog's urine. As your dog prepares to urinate, you can use the long stem of the spoon to place the device under them calmly from a safe distance, preventing your dog from stressing out about the procedure.
A DIY Tool for Removing Pet Hair
Most people probably wouldn't think of duct tape as a cleaning tool. But for dog owners, it’s one of the best. If you have a dog that sheds excessively, you can remove the hair from your furniture by rolling a duct-taped pin over the affected area. Wrap the tape around your hands in place of a rolling pin if you don't have one.
Why spend money on lint rollers when there are so many simple methods of cleaning up dog hair with products you already have? Using the dryer sheet method, rubber gloves, and a slipcover, you'll never have to worry about dog hair again.
Create a Carrying Strap from a Grocery Bag
A dog's hind legs can become unsteady due to degenerative diseases or simple aging, making it difficult for a dog to get around. Just as a walking stick can help a human get about, simple devices can help disabled dogs get back on the move as well. A walking sling can be made to relieve strain on the hind legs of a dog.
A cloth grocery bag with the sides cut out can keep a dog or cat from escaping. By wrapping the bag's bottom around your dog’s midsection, you can take your dogs for walks while supporting their weight with the handles of a grocery bag or sling.
Make Use of the Reward System
Rewarding your dog with treats whenever it follows your commands is an excellent form of positive reinforcement that can help you train a better-behaved companion. To ensure your pet's safety and give you peace of mind, teach your dog to come when its name is called.
The first five to ten times your dog responds to its name being called, reward it with a special treat. In time, your dog will associate hearing your voice with positive reinforcement and respond to you even when no incentive is present.
Help With the Pain of Bee Stings
Dogs, naturally playful and curious, adore the outdoors and all the funny creatures of nature. But if they mess with bees, they’ll usually get stung. But you can help your hapless pup in such a situation. Use tweezers to remove the stinger. After that, apply a paste made of baking soda and water to the affected area.
This should help reduce the pain and swelling by neutralizing the venom. Be sure to give your dog the attention it needs after it is stung. Take the dog to the vet if the swelling doesn't go down in under ten minutes or your poor pup is stung in the face and is having trouble breathing.
Flea-Check Towels
Dogs tend to scratch themselves regularly. However, if your dog has been scratching itself for more than a few days, you should check for fleas. Fleas are tiny, making them hard to spot, especially if your dog has a dark, thick coat. In that case, brush your dog's coat while it's lying on its side on a white towel.
You will have an easier time seeing the fleas that fall off your dog if you place them on a white background. Regular coat checks are essential. The longer fleas go undetected, the more difficult it is for veterinarians to remove them and the more damage they can do to your furball's health.
Make Use of a Kid's Pool
You might still have an inflatable kiddie pool in the basement or attic, even if your kids are all grown up. If you have one lying around, why not give your dog a treat by filling it with water and bathing your pup? On hot summer days, your dog will appreciate a cool dip in the water, especially if it is a longer-haired breed.
Longer-haired breeds can become overheated quickly. When you don't live near any bodies of water (lakes, rivers, and so on) where your dog can cool off, this tip becomes even more critical to remember. Make your little lake in the backyard.
Entertain with a Muffin Tray
Dogs are great because they don't require elaborate new toys from the pet store all the time to keep them entertained. You don't need to buy anything unique to keep your dog occupied at home. A muffin tin is a perfect example of this. Put tennis balls and other small objects in the tray's holes and place them on the floor.
Your dog will have a good time taking the stuff out of the tray and back again. After using it for play, you should always give the muffin tin a good scrub. You don't want your muffins to taste like a dog if you ever decide to use the tray for baking again.
Dog-Related Puzzles
While you can enjoy plenty of fun activities with your dog, there are times when every dog owner needs to focus on other things. Dog puzzles are great for keeping your dog occupied when you're not around. You can hide treats under various covers that your dog can unlock using its paws, nose, teeth, or a combination.
You can find puzzles for your dog of varying difficulty, and they'll benefit from the mental and physical challenge. Instead of spending money on a puzzle toy, you can disperse treats throughout your home or yard. Dogs love the challenge of looking for hidden treats, and yours will be too.
Create New Dog Toys From Used Clothes
It's a waste for dog owners to get rid of old tees, sweatshirts, and sweaters. They can be recycled into fun and functional toys. Begin by slicing the fabrics into long strips, braid them together, and knot the ends. Making ropes and toys for your pet can be just as effective as buying them from the pet store. Plus, it's better for the environment.
If you're a sewer, you might be tempted to make toys for your dog. You can fill them with stuffing material like cotton and sew them up tight. However, your efforts might simply end up in an explosion of fluff once your dog rips the new toys apart.
Get Rid of Drool Stains With Simple Cleaners
A dog's drool is as likely to leave a mark on your couch as its urine. However, the stains can be removed with the help of a natural, multipurpose DIY cleaning recipe. Make a powerful yet gentle cleaner using just a bowl, a quarter cup of white vinegar, a cup of cold water, a teaspoon of dish soap, and a teaspoon of baking soda.
Shake the solution well, then spray it on washable surfaces where the dog has been drooling. Wait for about 15 minutes after spraying the solution. If you don't have a spray bottle handy, you can always use a cloth to wipe the stain directly.
Use a Squeegee to Collect Hair
Vacuuming a hair-covered area is the most efficient way to get rid of dog hair. Just in case you don’t have one, or it breaks down a squeegee—a tool with a flat rubber blade used to collect liquid when cleaning a window or a shower floor—is a quick and easy alternative.
After wiping down the squeegee and letting it dry, you can quickly and easily collect clumps of hair from your dog. After the hair has been "squeegeed" into multiple piles, it can be easily collected using gloves and thrown away.
Homemade Dog Pedicure
Nails that have grown too long can be painful for a dog to walk on, and they also run the risk of being torn off during play, which could lead to a trip to the vet and a hefty bill. Even though a doggy manicure isn't too pricey, most dog owners with enough patience can do the job on their own.
While a trip to the groomer to have your dog's nails trimmed will cost you $15–$20, good nail trimmer kits are available for $25–$60. Making nail clipping a regular activity while your pup is young will help normalize the task and will prevent your dog from stressing about it later in life.
How to Teach Fetch Using Popcorn
You'd think a game of catch would be something every dog would understand instinctively. But some dogs need a little more training; yours might not get the idea right away. Start by throwing the dog something it wants, like a handful of popcorn, and it will quickly learn to chase anything you throw at it.
If you throw popcorn for your dog at first, make sure it's plain popcorn and not buttered, seasoned, or sweet popcorn. You can move on to more advanced activities, such as catching and retrieving balls and other dog toys.
Start Raising Bowls of Food and Water
Even though most pet owners just put their dogs' bowls on the floor, there are a few advantages to keeping them at a slightly higher elevation. If you use an elevated bowl, your dog won’t have to bend its neck or knees as far to reach the food. For larger dogs or senior dogs with limited mobility, this is crucial.
When the dish is secured to a higher level, the dog is less likely to make a mess by dragging it across the floor. Instead of making your pup stoop to reach food, you can purchase a raised feeding bowl stand—or stack some boxes underneath.
Paws Need Moisturizing, Too
Applying a moisturizer to your dog's paw pads will keep them healthy and itch-free and will prevent them from cracking, peeling, or becoming too dry. Dogs have a habit of licking their paws, so if you want to keep them healthy and moisturized, you shouldn't use products meant for humans.
Instead, use products designed for dogs or natural, non-toxic remedies like shea butter. Rub the lotion deep into the skin if your dog's paw pads are dry and cracked. Moisturizing your dog's paws could make them even more delicate and sensitive to rough floors if they already have soft pads—so use your judgment and don’t overdo it.
Stuff Some Treats Into a Toy
While it's true that you can create fun and engaging toys for your dog using scraps and old worn-out materials, there are also good toys on the market that are sure to keep your pet entertained for hours. For example, the Kong can be stuffed with food.
Dogs can spend a long time working at a toy to get to the treat inside, keeping them entertained for longer. While most Kongs are designed to withstand even the strongest jaws, there are models tailor-made for smaller or older dogs.
Get Stuffed Animals Out of the Attic!
When their children grow out of playing with stuffed animals, many parents are left with a box full of forgotten soft toys. These stuffed animals can also serve as new toys for your dog. Younger dogs are likelier to take a liking to the plush toy than older ones.
The stuffed toys that some dogs were given as puppies often remain the objects of their protective behavior even as they reach adulthood. If the stuffed animal survives your dog's teeth, you can always donate it to a local animal shelter so other young, needy dogs will have a new plaything.