Over the years, I’ve picked up a few pointers that make having a dog a little easier. Some of it was taught through reading and research, but the majority of it was learned through trial and error. Here are 59 simple life hacks for dog owners, ranging from how to keep your house clean with dogs to how to make your own doggie first aid kit.
1. Keep Your Furniture Fur-Free by Using Covers
Do you let your pets sit on the couch? If you do, you know how difficult it is to keep them clean. Using a cover is my favorite tip for keeping your furniture clean and fur-free. You can use sheets, blankets, or slip covers, and you can even have them custom created to fit your decor. When it’s time to clean, simply toss those covers in the washing machine and you’re good to go.
2. Sheets for the Dryer Grab as much dog hair as you can
Looking for a quick solution to get rid of some dog hair? Make use of dryer sheets. They have a magical ability to take up loose dog hair on textiles. Simply rub a dryer sheet over your couch or any other area where pet hair collects and watch it stick to it.
3. Pick up stray dog hair using rubber gloves.
Is it just me, or does your dog’s fur get everywhere? Rubber gloves are my go-to method for picking up all that stray hair. You put them on and run your hands over your furniture; pet hair clings to rubber gloves like crazy.
4. Clean Pet Urine with Baking Soda
If your dog pees on the carpet, wipe it up with baking soda (which also works to remove odors). Apply baking soda to the affected area, wait 20 minutes, and then vacuum it up.
5. Clean Up Fur From Carpet with a Window Squeegee
Do you have a lot of dog hair stuck in your carpet? To remove fur from your carpet and furnishings, use a window squeegee. Scrape it across the carpet and wait for the hair to rise.
6. Use a Walnut to Cover Scratch Marks on Furniture
Do your wooden furniture have a few scratch marks on it? By smearing a walnut over them, you can conceal them. Walnuts’ natural oils penetrate into wood, making them an easy solution to hide minor scratches in your furniture.
7. Remove Drool Marks with a Magic Eraser
Do you have a lot of drool? If that’s the case, you’ve probably got drool all over the place. Get yourself some magic erasers and say goodbye to scrubbing off those drool marks.
8. Make a Dog-Friendly Carpet Deodorizer at Home
Do you have dog scents that you’d like to get rid of? Don’t worry if you don’t have any particular supplies on hand; you can manufacture your own dog-friendly carpet deodorizer with stuff you already have.
9. Use a baby wipe to prevent dog hair from clogging the drain
Do you have a problem with your dog’s hair clogging your drain after they’ve been bathed? To keep dog hair from clogging it up, use a baby wipe.
10. Turn an old sweatshirt into a pet bed
Want to offer your dog a lovely, comfortable place to sleep without having to go out and buy a dog bed? Make a pretty awesome dog bed out of a sweater and a pillow for them.
11. Pick Up Loose Pet Fur with a Roll of Packing Tape
Do your clothing attract a lot of dog hair? You don’t have a lint roller? Using packing tape to pick off all the dog hair that goes all over your clothes is one of my favorite life hacks for dog owners.
Dog Owners’ Life Hacks
What if you don’t have a lint roller? Dog hair can be picked up with a roll of packing tape.
12. Make a Litterbox Barrier to Keep Your Dog Out
Is your dog always drawn to the smaller box? He’s not alone; kitty litter attracts a lot of dogs. Elevate the litter box, create a barrier around it, or use a covered litter box that your dog can’t get into to keep your dog out of the litter.
59 Simple Pet Care Tips All Dog Owners Should Know Life Hacks For Dog Owners: Play Time & Exercise
13. Use a muffin tin to make a simple puzzle toy
Looking for a quick and easy way to keep your dog’s mind occupied? With a muffin tin, some cookies, and a few tennis balls, you can make a basic puzzle toy. Check out 26 simple ways to relieve dog boredom if you’re looking for more boredom busters.
14. For a simple game, teach your dog to chase bubbles.
Do you have a dog who enjoys chasing things? Take use of your dog’s natural instinct and train him to chase bubbles for some easy exercise and fun.
15. Keep Them Busy by Stuffing a Kong with Treats
Fill a Kong with tasty treats to keep your dog interested, and freeze them for a more difficult challenge. You don’t need any special dog treats or stuffing
16. Make an Old Clothes Tug Toy
Is tug of war one of your dog’s favorite games? Do you have a few extra t-shirts laying around? Rather than throwing out an old t-shirt, braid it into a tug toy to make your own toy.
17. For a fun game, teach your dog to “Find the Treats.”
Hide treats throughout the house to teach your dog to ‘find their treats.’ Simple nose work games can keep your dog occupied and cognitively active. It’s by far Laika’s favorite indoor game. (Are you looking for more indoor games? Here are 33 easy ways to keep your dog occupied indoors.)
18. Make a Flirt Pole from Scratch
For dogs who enjoy chasing and/or have a high prey drive, make a flirt pole. Just remember to ease up on this one because it’s a high-impact activity that can be hard on a dog’s joints.
19. Make a Dog Toy That Can Be Re-Stuffed
Is your dog obsessed with plush animals? You can construct a re-stuffable dog toy if your dog likes to shred stuffed creatures apart.
20. Purchase a kiddie pool to keep your dog occupied.
Is your dog a water lover? Use a plastic kiddie pool in the yard to keep your dog cool throughout the heat. They’re also reasonably priced. Ours cost about four dollars at my local Meijer.
59 Dog Owners’ Life Hacks
Is your dog a water lover? Purchase a backyard kiddie pool for them.
21. Create a Digging Box for Your Dog
If your dog enjoys digging, educate them how to use their own digging box to keep your garden safe.
22. Engage in a fun tug-of-war game with your dog.
A 5-minute game of tug will tire out your dog and allow him to release some of his pent-up energy. (And, contrary to popular belief, it will not make your dog violent.)
23. Make a batch of easy frozen dog treats
Are you looking for a simple way to keep your dog occupied? Make some frozen dog treats for them. Freeze some broth on ice trays for a refreshing treat for your dog on hot summer days.
24. Switch up their toys to keep their attention.
Dogs, like humans, become tired with new things after a while, and their toys are no exception. By varying their access to them, you can keep their attention. When your dog hasn’t seen their blue ball in a month, they will have a whole new appreciation for it when it reappears.
59 Dog Owners’ Life Hacks
Do your dog’s toys boring him or her? Alternate them to retain their attention.
Dog Owners’ Life Hacks: Health, Food, and Grooming
25. 59 Easy Life Hacks for Dog Owners Look for fleas. Using the White Towel Test on Your Dog
Do you believe your dog is infested with fleas? While you examine and brush their fur, have them lie down on a white towel. Any loose flea debris that falls from your dog is easily visible thanks to the sheet.
26. Use Peanut Butter, Milk, and Flour to Make Your Own Pill Pockets
Finding a means to encourage your dog to swallow medications is one of the most useful life hacks for dog owners. You can construct your own DIY pill pockets if you’re having trouble getting your dog to swallow medications.
27. Use tweezers to remove ticks from your dog
If you don’t have a tick remover on hand, don’t worry. With a pair of fine-tipped tweezers, carefully remove ticks off your dog. Pull firmly on the tick’s mouth area (the part closest to your dog’s skin) until it is gone. To kill a tick, place it in a jar of alcohol, and always wear gloves while dealing with ticks because they can spread diseases to pets and people.
28. Use warm water to soften dry foods
Is it difficult for your dog to eat his kibble? If your dog’s teeth are sensitive, warm water can be added to their dry dog food to soften it.
29. Store dry dog food in a sealed container to keep it fresh.
After it has been opened, dog food might begin to lose its freshness. If you buy bags of dog food and store it in an airtight sealed container, the food will last considerably longer.
30. Find out how to make some easy dog treats.
If you don’t have any dog treats on hand, don’t worry. Simple and healthful dog treats can be made at home. Here are 21 dog treat recipes that just require 5 ingredients or less.
31. Include tooth brushing in your dog’s grooming routine.
Brush your dog’s teeth on a daily basis to avoid costly dental appointments in the future. If you want, you can use a human toothbrush (though there are also ones for dogs), but make sure to get dog-specific toothpaste.
32. Make a Rope Toy with Dog Toothpaste
If your dog doesn’t appreciate getting his teeth brushed, put some doggie tooth paste on a rope toy and let him chew on it. It’s a good method to get them used to having their teeth brushed.
33. Make a Do-It-Yourself Dog Sling for Extra Support
Is your dog suffering from arthritis or weak limbs? You may create your own dog sling to help your dog get up and about if they need it.
34. Do you require assistance in obtaining a urine sample from your dog? Make use of a ladle and a container.
If you need to collect a urine sample, this $2 solution (a ladle and small containers) makes it simple.
35. Use Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking Soda to Get Rid of Skunk Smell
Have you gotten a skunk on your dog? You may get rid of your dog’s skunk smell by combining soap, peroxide, and baking soda.
36. Give Fast Eaters a Food Dispensing Toy
If your dog eats too quickly, slow them down with a food distributing toy (we like the Kong Wobbler & Bob a Lot) or a couple tennis balls in their dish. This not only keeps them from eating too quickly, but it also gives them a good mental workout.
37. Make a Refillable Water Bowl from Scratch
Do you have to refill your dog’s water bowl several times a day? Make your own refillable water bottle bowl at home.
What kind of animal should you get? Is it a cat? Is it a dog? Is it a hedgehog? Of course, every child desires a pony!
When you choose a pet, you accept responsibility for another living creature’s health and well-being. You’re promising to look after your pet for the rest of his or her life. You’re also responsible for the impact your pet has on your family, friends, and community.
If you carefully evaluate what type of pet best suits your family, house, and lifestyle, your pet-owning experience will be the most joyful. Unmet expectations are a leading cause of people giving their pets away, abandoning them, or putting them up for adoption, so take the time and effort to make an informed selection and ensure that your future pet will provide you joy for many years to come.
38. Use Vaseline to protect your dog’s paws during the winter.
If you don’t have any paw balm on hand and your dog doesn’t like wearing boots, you can protect your dog’s paws with Vaseline in the winter.
Make Your Own Elevated Food Bowl (No. 39)
With a $8 Ikea table, you can construct your own elevated pet food bowl. Because they don’t have to stoop down as much, elevated food bowls make eating easier for dogs with arthritis and joint problems.
40. Has Your Dog Been Stung? Using a credit card, remove the Stinger
When you try to remove a stinger from your dog, you run the danger of leaving a piece of it embedded in the skin. Scrape stingers off with a straight edge, such as the side of a credit card.
41. To stop your dog’s nail from bleeding, use flour, baking soda, or cornstarch.
Are you sure you didn’t cut your dog’s nail too short? Make a thick paste by mixing flour, baking soda, or cornstarch with water and applying it to the nail with moderate pressure for a few minutes.
59 Dog Owners’ Life Hacks
If you cut your dog’s nail too short, make a mixture with water and flour to stop the bleeding.
Dog Training Tips: Life Hacks for Dog Owners
All Dog Owners Can Use These 59 Simple Life Hacks
42. To prevent pulling on the leash, use a front clip harness.
If your dog tugs on his leash, invest in a front-clip harness. The back-clipped harnesses encourage additional pulling. When working on leash manners, swap out the retractable leash for a conventional 6 foot one so your dog gets a sense of what loose leash walking is like.
43. For a Reliable Recall, Make Yourself the Funniest Thing in the World
When teaching your dog to “come here,” be careful to lavish praise and treats on him. The idea is to make returning to you the best decision they could have made; otherwise, your dog will most likely determine that whatever he was chasing/smelling is more intriguing.
44. Fruits and vegetables can be used as training treats.
If you don’t have any dog treats on hand, don’t worry. As training treats, use some leftover fruits and vegetables that are good for dogs. Laika’s favorite snacks are carrots and snap peas.
45. How to Easily Potty Train a Puppy aka Treat Every Poop Like a Miracle
When you’re potty training your dog, make sure you pay attention and reward them every time they go outside to do their business. They’ll catch on quickly if you treat every pee and poop outside as if it’s the nicest thing that’s ever happened.
46. Make training more enjoyable by varying the rewards
Instead of just praising a new trick, reward it with some tasty snacks or a tug of war activity. You may make training sessions more entertaining and exciting for both you and your dog by modifying the rules and rewards.
47. Use Popcorn to Teach Your Dog to Catch
Don’t start throwing a toy at your dog’s face if they don’t know how to catch. Popcorn is an excellent training tool for teaching dogs to catch since it is light and tasty, motivating your dog to try and catch it.
48. Reward Good Behaviors with a Clicker
Do you have a hard time giving praise at the appropriate times? Begin clicker training to make it much easier to reward them for excellent conduct.
59 dog-care suggestions
During hunting season, wear a brightly colored bandana on your dog.
If you’re out for a walk during hunting season, make sure you and your dog stand out. You can wear bright colors (orange is ideal) and have your dog wear a bright orange bandana to help keep them safe.
50. Teach your kids to always ask permission before petting a stranger’s dog.
Each year, 4.5 million dog bites occur in the United States, with children accounting for half of the cases. Make sure your children understand that they must ask permission before stroking any unknown canines.
51. Microchip Your Dog for a Lifetime Identification
A scan of your dog’s microchip will reveal all of your personal information, allowing for a quick reunion; just make sure to keep your information up to date with the microchip company if you relocate. (If it ever came to that, microchips are also one of the ways a court may make a determination about a dog’s ownership.)
52. A Happy Dog Doesn’t Always Have a Wagging Tail
Do not approach a strange dog simply because its tail is wagging. Tail wagging isn’t necessarily a sign of enjoyment; it can sometimes be a sign of worry or uncertainty. Make sure your kids understand the basics of dog bite prevention.
53. Never leave your dog unattended in the back of your truck.
Every year, an estimated 100,000 dogs die while riding in pickup beds, and that doesn’t include all of the injuries that occur. Dogs on pickup beds are also vulnerable to being hit by debris, which can result in injury.
54. Keep Toxins in the Household (Including Garbage) Out of Reach
While it may seem self-evident to store cleaning supplies carefully, one of the most serious hazards to a dog’s health in the home is rubbish. If your dog gets into the trash, you can seal it with kid proof locks or hide it in the closet or garage while you’re gone.
Owners of dogs will appreciate these 59 simple life hacks.
If your dog gets into the garbage, use baby proof locks or put the garbage out of reach while you’re away to keep them out.
55. For the sake of safety In the car, keep your dog restrained.
I understand that dogs enjoy peering out car windows, but it’s a dangerous habit. They could be hit by debris, causing damage to their hearing, and there’s always the possibility that they’ll see something and jump out. It’s always a good idea to keep your dog secured in the car if you’re going to be travelling faster than 20 mph.
Make Your Own Doggie First Aid Kit (No. 56)
You never know when an accident will occur, so having a first aid kit on hand is advisable just in case. A fantastic list of basic supplies for a pet first aid kit can be found here.
57. Put your gum and candy away.
Many gums and candies contain xylitol, an extremely poisonous sugar alternative that can be lethal to dogs. Keep all candy and gum out of your pets’ reach at all times. The following is a list of common household goods that contain xylitol.
58. In the Summer, Keep an Eye on Your Dog’s Feet
Hot pavement can quickly burn your dog’s paws. Place the back of your hand on the pavement to determine if it’s too hot for your dog; if you can’t hold it there for 5 seconds, it’s too hot for your dog. Consider walking your dog in the woods, on the grass, or until the sun sets on extremely hot days.
59. Keep an eye on your dog when he or she is near water (Especially Pools)
Not all dogs are good swimmers, and swimming pools can be quite dangerous for a dog. If your dog is out in the yard near the pool, keep an eye on them and make sure they know where the pool stairs are.
What Dog Care Tips and Life Hacks Do You Have for Your Dog?
Have you tried any of these approaches before? What more hints and tips did I overlook? What are your favorite dog-owner life hacks?
Consider the following factors when choosing a pet for you and your family:
Are you able to cover the price of your pet’s care? Some pet species or breeds have unique requirements that may necessitate additional expense or effort. Consider what your pet will require in terms of food, shelter, socialization, exercise, grooming, and veterinary care, and make sure you can afford and supply them. Our article, Money Tips for Caring Pet Owners, provides helpful tips for lowering pet-related costs, but every pet requires a financial commitment. Some pets (such as reptiles, amphibians, pocket pets, and birds) require specialized veterinary care, so check to see whether your area has a veterinarian who can help.
How long do you plan on being away from your pet? Do you work a lot of hours or travel a lot? Some pets require more frequent exercise or food, making them unsuitable for owners who are frequently away from home.
In your absence, who will look after your pet? Consider not only short-term absences, but also what might happen if your pet outlives you, and make plans for their care accordingly.
What changes in your living environment could have an impact on your ability to maintain your pet in the future? You’re making a lifelong commitment to that pet, so think about what you’ll do with them if your circumstances change.
a young lady with two puppies
Are there any restrictions on the type of pet you can have due to local legislation or your living situation? Your landlord may limit the sort or quantity of pets you can have if you rent. Similar rules may apply to condominium and townhouse societies. If you live in the city, your pet selection may differ significantly from that of someone who lives in the suburbs or in the country. Building, municipal, county, and state rules prohibit certain pet species or breeds. Consider how much exercise your pet will require and whether your living situations allow for it.
Are you able to give your pet the care he or she will require? And how long do you think you’d be willing to devote to caring for a pet? Animals of various types and breeds require different levels of companionship and attention, as well as having different life spans. Some larger birds, for example, have been known to live for almost 100 years! Make sure you understand the commitment you’ll be making when you get a certain type of pet by doing your homework.
Do you have any pets already? Will your existing pet tolerate another pet of the same or different species if this is the case? If you’re unsure, a veterinarian can assist you in determining the answer.
What qualities do you seek in a pet? Do you want anything to keep your lap warm? Are you looking for a running partner? Or perhaps a low-maintenance pet? This will influence your pet selection. Who is going to look after your pet? Consider the level of expertise and ability of the person who will be caring for the pet, as well as the amount of time they will have. If you have little children, a pet who is active at night is not as excellent a choice as one that is active when they are awake. Although it is beneficial to involve children in pet care if you have them, expecting a youngster to be fully responsible for any pet’s care and wellbeing is unreasonable.
Your veterinarian can assist you.
A rabbit being examined by a veterinarian.
Consult a veterinarian if you’re not sure if the pet you’re considering is right for your family. Veterinarians can assist you better understand the demands of a possible pet and whether or not they are compatible with your family’s lifestyle.
Once you’ve decided on a pet, your veterinarian will assist you in providing the best care possible to ensure that your pet has a long and healthy life. Preventive care and regular veterinary inspections are essential for your pet’s health and well-being. Most dog and cat owners are aware that their pets require immunizations and parasite treatment, but other animals also benefit from routine veterinarian care!
Wild Animal As pets
Pets of wild animals should not be maintained. They are not tamed and frequently do not act in a manner that would be appropriate in a family setting. Wild animals have unique demands that are difficult or impossible to supply in a domestic setting, putting their health and lives in jeopardy. Furthermore, they may pose a disease concern to other pets as well as human family members. For your and their protection, leave wild creatures alone and appreciate them from afar.