We’ve talked about why giving a pet as a holiday gift is a bad idea. But now that the chaos and craziness of the holidays are behind us, let’s talk about ways to prepare your home for the addition of a dog.
Dogs are amazing. They’re such loyal companions, and if you have a dog, you will always have a true blue friend. The amount of unconditional love and understanding they have to offer will leave you speechless, even if you’re a lifetime dog owner like me. The sweet and gentle nature of dogs still amazes me.
But living with dogs is often not for the faint of heart — there are some serious things to consider before bringing a dog (of any age) into your home.
For example, there’s a strong possibility your new furry friend will, at some point, make a mess in your house. It’s just part of pet parenthood.
Read this guide on how to prepare your home for a dog, so you can enjoy time with your new pet and keep your home’s interior as pristine as possible.
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3 Ways to Prepare Your Home for a Dog
1. Clean, clean, clean
Anyone wondering how to prepare your home for a dog should start by making sure their house is as clean as possible.
Dogs can get into everything. Make sure you don’t leave anything lying around, because your pup will surely chew it up.
Keep everything off your floor and out of your dog’s reach. The last thing you want is for your pup to chew up your favorite sweater.
Consider a covered trash can in the kitchen. This will keep your dog from nosing around and getting into something that could potentially make her sick.
The long and short of it is that the cleaner your house is, the more difficult it’ll be for your dog to get her paws (and teeth) on things.
2. Dog-friendly window treatments
Everyone’s heard horror stories of their friends coming home to discover their dog has destroyed their curtains. Be smarter than your friends and consider getting dog-friendly window treatments.
Curtains typically hang very low to the ground, so they’re easy access for dogs that may simply be trying to look out the window.
Also, doggies usually enjoy chewing on softer materials, which makes easily accessible curtains a likely chew toy.
So, if you’re really serious about getting your home ready for a new pet, curtains aren’t the way to go. Instead, install blinds or shutters throughout your home. They don’t hang low to the ground, and you can easily move them up and out of your dog’s reach.
Automated window treatments are another excellent option for dog owners, because you can control things with just the sound of your voice, leaving your hands free for all the belly rubs.
3. Get the right equipment
If you’re thinking about adding a dog to your home, you’ve got to get the right equipment.
I highly recommend having a properly sized dog crate so your pup has a space of her own. A crate also gives her a safe, comfortable place to be when you’re away from home.
You should also have a high-quality dog bed, safe chew toys, food and water dishes, and a collar and leash. These are just the basics, but they’re definitely the “must have” items that every dog-friendly home must have before welcoming a new pup.
Trust me, over time, you will find all sorts of other things that your dog needs but these items will get you started.
Whether you’re bringing home a puppy or a full-grown dog, you will be setting everyone up for success when you plan ahead and prepare your home for your new addition.
How did you prepare for your new dog?
I’d love to hear about how you prepared your home to bring home a new dog. Leave a comment below or stop by my private Facebook group for dog moms and join in the conversation there!
The post 3 Ways to Prepare Your Home for a Dog appeared first on The Everyday Dog Mom.
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Mallory Knee, Khareem Sudlow
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