Owning a pet is quite as good as having a child. Your dog can be cute and cuddly but he still poops around and does other messy things at times.
Although you can potty train your dog, you can’t possibly stop him from getting his hair on your sofa, car, coffee table, bed, you name it.
So…
You know you have to be prepared for what’s to come. If you didn’t, and only just witnessed it first-hand, now you know better.
Our fur babies can be a handful, but we love them anyway. And I’ve created this short guide on how to dog-proof your furniture and other valuables just so you don’t get frustrated with cleaning dog hair all over your house.
It includes simple tips that are not only useful to the prospective pet parents but also folks that already have a dog.
PS: We’re focusing on dogs but many of these tips apply to other home pets too.
Know The Dog You Are Proofing For
It is great to dog-proof your home. This not only protects your furniture and valuables from damage but also protects the dogs from potential injuries.
Most dogs are smart pets and would likely ignore things that might cause potential harm to them. They will also remember certain restrictions placed on them.
However, not all dogs are the same.
Knowing the type of dog and its behavior can make dog proofing easier. Some breed of dogs is known to be more aggressive than others. Knowing this would help in your decision-making.
Even if you don’t know the breed of dog (as a new owner), there are general tips that apply to all types of dogs that would prove useful.
Most of the house has furniture in it. Therefore, dog proofing your furniture will cover most of the home. These areas include living room, kitchen, bedroom, garage/basement, etc.
How Do Dogs Damage Furniture?
Each dog is different. If you’re lucky, your dog is a gentle one. Your dog could also be one that wants to mark its territory in every corner of your house. These type of dogs are curious and tend to cause more damage.
Some damages dogs will likely cause include:
- Tearing fabrics with their claws
- Chewing the furniture
- Scratching wood with their claws
- Urinating on the furniture or floor
- Moving or toppling furniture
Protecting And Maintaining Your Furniture
There are various ways to dog-proof your furniture and other valuables in your home. Deciding how you want to go about it is dependent on you and the behaviour of your dog. There’s no one shoe fits all solution.
By the way, since we’re talking about “protection” here, let me remind you that having a pet dog can affect your homeowner’s insurance policy. While at it, I’d suggest that you get to know how it would.
Simple Tips For Dog Proofing Furniture:
- Use Dog Proof Furniture Covers: This is the cheapest way to dog-proof your furniture and probably requires the least effort. Furniture covers like blankets, slipcovers, throws, etc., will keep your furniture in top shape for when you have company. Lay the cover on the spots your dog could be attracted to and it would protect for scratches, drool, shed hair, urine, etc. These covers are useful for all types of pets and equally easy to maintain.
- Groom your dog regularly: Having to clean your couch and floor for fur every day can be tiring. Therefore, bathing and brushing your dog should be a regular schedule to reduce the extra fur. It also helps to eliminate odour, dirt and contaminants that could soil your favourite chair. Regular nail trimmings will also help decrease the chance of your furniture getting scratched.
- Invest in a good dog bed: Dogs need a safe space, and they’ll seek it wherever they can. Purchasing a nice dog bed can serve as the safe space your dog needs. There are different dog beds to choose from such as orthopedic, heated, pillow beds etc. You might need to do a little research before choosing a bed for your dog.
- Choose pet-friendly materials for your furniture: Dog-friendly materials are easy to clean, hair resistant, durable, have thick finishes amongst other features. Leather and Microfiber are the two most popular pet proof furniture materials. Avoid furniture made of silk, wool, linen, etc. If you can’t, then invest in a quality furniture cover.
- Keep your dog out of certain rooms: There is usually a room or two you don’t want your dog to be in especially if the dog is a chewer. An example is your study that not only has furniture but valuable books and documents. You want your dog outside this room. Always keep these rooms shut especially when you’re not home.
Maintenance Tips:
- Prohibit your dog from getting on the couch
- Place food far from furniture
- Use high shelves and locked cabinets
- Apply unpleasant flavours to furniture your dog might chew on
- Colour coordinate furniture and covers with your pet’s fur
- Buy sofas with removable seats
- Have a Lint Roller
Shopping Guide
As mentioned earlier, dogs are smart creatures. Therefore, you will need all the help you can get to protect your valuables in your home.
Here are some products that can provide extra protection for dog proofing:
- Furniture covers
- Chew deterrent
- Dog crate
- Potty training supplies
- Corner guards
- Pet gates
Wrapping Up
Caring for a dog is awesome and there’s a sense of accomplishment that comes with doing it right. However, you should protect your valuables from them so you don’t get frustrated.
This guide should serve you well in dog-proofing your furniture and valuables especially if you’re a new dog parent. ScoutKnows.com is happy to help make this new change a positive one for you.
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