You want your dog to share your home with you, but still want to keep it reasonably tidy and clean and not smelling like dog.
A good place to start is to make sure your dog is relatively clean when it gets in the home. An outdoor shower fitting for washing off muddy feet before coming inside is very handy, as is a paved exercise area. A custom doggy door will keep the dog away from your main door, and a secondary door at the entrance is another good idea, particularly where there are glass doors that the dogs need to be kept away from.
A very energetic dog will enjoy an outside agility course, perhaps using artificial turf to blend in with the garden. Shedding hair inside the house is a problem that can be minimized by brushing the dog daily – not only will it prevent excessive shedding, it will soon become a daily highlight for the dog. You can also plant herbs and flowers that help repel fleas and ticks, such as rosemary, mint, catnip, sage, chamomile, lemon grass and lavender. Another outside idea is a plumbed in drinking bowl that fills automatically from the roof.
Carpets and dogs do not go together – they easily become soiled, while hairs and odors tend to cling to it. It is best to keep dogs away from carpeted areas, particularly those that are difficult to clean. If possible, put in custom flooring to minimize dogs slipping and injuring themselves. Slippery tile floors are bad for growing puppies, particularly those of larger breeds as the lack of traction prevents their joints from developing properly. Elderly dogs with arthritis also struggle on slippery floors.
Choose washable paint when painting the home, particularly on walls and doors you know the dogs use. It helps to take preventative action if your dog has bad habits like taking stuff out of wastebaskets, eating food off tables, drinking out of the toilet. Chewing dirty socks or shoes also have a special attraction for some dogs.
Blaming the dog for walking all over your shaggy white carpet is no use if he has access to the house while dirty. Teaching the dog basic manners – like not jumping onto kitchen counters and staying out of certain rooms, will go a long way to keep your home tide. Choose durable and washable materials when you re-do a space where the dog is allowed; it’ll be worth the expense. And make sure the dog has its own place with toys and bedding where it can lie down and sleep – it’ll help to keep him away you’re your furniture.
1Salomi is a contributing blogger ,dog lover and avid learner ,you can see more of her articles on her website
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