As a dog parent, you must ensure your best friend lives a great life at home. While most pet parents don’t think about modifying their homes to suit their pets, it presents challenges at some point.
Our homes are designed to fit our comfort level and suit our needs, so when our furry friends live with us, we’re caught off guard when the dog chews the foot of the couch or attacks every pillow in sight. Fortunately, you can design or re-design your abode to be more comfortable for you and your buddy. Here are five dog-friendly home designs from experts.
Furniture vs Dog
Ask any dog owner how their furniture and pillows looked like catastrophic remnants after their puppy or dog had a go at them. Unfortunately, it is common for puppies and adult dogs to chew and bite at furniture.
Why Do They Do It?
Animal behaviorists have concluded that dogs chew and bite at furniture for any or a combination of the following reasons,
- Teething: Like human children, puppies also teethe when they’re young. However, teething can be controlled by giving them chew toys.
- Boredom: Well, they’re not able to scroll through Tiktok when they’re bored. So your furniture may be the solution to their boredom.
- Anxiety: Chewing or biting furniture can also be signs of stress in dogs, puppies, and adults.
- Learned Behavior: If you have other dogs in the house, your new puppy may pick up this behavior from them.
What Can You Do About It?
To stop your puppy or dog from chewing your furniture, you can,
- Give them chew toys from a young age. Avoid rubber, plastic toys, or rawhide, as they can be health hazards. Instead, opt for rope toys and natural sticks such as bully chews or deer antler toys.
- Train them not to do it. For example, when chewing furniture, remove them from the premises and bring them back, saying a firm ‘no’ every time they go back to chewing. Do this a few times and remember to reward them when they don’t chew with treats; that’s the only way they will learn.
- Cover the part that they chew with cardboard or wrap it with plastic.
- Have patience. Your puppy or dog won’t learn in a day or a week. So be persistent with their training, but remember never to be harsh.
Dog-Friendly Home Design From Experts
Besides the basics of training and toys to stop your dog from chewing furniture, see other ways to pet-proof your home, so your dog is comfortable enough and not anxious to chew on stuff.
Also, if you’re thinking about getting a dog, you could use these tips for dog-friendly home designs from experts.
- Give Them Their Space: Just like you need your own space, your dog will too. So give them an area where they can rest and sleep. Set up their bed or crate water bowl and toys in the corner of your room if you want them to be close or even their own separate room!
- Use Leather: Incorporate high-quality leather upholstery for your furniture. This is because the fabric is soft enough for your dog to ruin, but the leather will resist the wear and tear of your dog jumping up on them.
- Install Pet Turf Rolls: Consider pet turf installation to minimize maintenance and prevent your buddy from getting fleas and ticks. And it looks like real grass, so your dog won’t know the difference!
- Hard-Floors: If you’re constructing or renovating your house, install flooring with a hard surface. Ceramic tiles or epoxy floors are suitable as they are stain resistant and won’t be scratched easily.
- Vacuum Regularly: This goes without saying, but when you have a dog, you’ll normally get fur all over your home. So you must vacuum properly regularly to keep your home neat and clean.
Conclusion
We hope you’ve enjoyed these dog-friendly home designs. You deserve a home where both you and your dog can live your best life. Share with your friends and family who are pet parents. Happy paw-renting!
FAQs
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How Do I Design A Space For My Dog?
Ans: We’re glad you’re considering a space just for your dog. Too many pet parents don’t give their fur babies a separate space and wonder why their dog is hogging half their bed. So if you’re designing a space for your dog, keep these things in mind,
- Give them a corner in your room or a room (if you have any) close to yours. The last thing you want is your little buddy lonely and afraid.
- It’s better if this space is near the doggy door, so they can get out on their own when nature calls and not have accidents inside the house.
- Put dark-colored carpeting under their bedding so fur, dirt, and other stuff are visible to vacuum up.
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How Can I Pet Proof My Kitchen?
Ans: If your dog reaches up the counters or opens up cupboards on their own (which they can), do these things to maintain a pet-friendly kitchen and keep it from cute, four-pawed burglars.
- If you feed them in the kitchen, set a dedicated space where they eat every day.
- Keep their treats and food away from the countertops or cupboards in their reach. Make sure their food is stored in a dry and well-lit space, so they don’t spoil easily.
- If your dog is not a shoplifter in your kitchen, you can set up a bed in a corner. This helps both of you keep each other company there.
